Good vs. Great Leaders with Carole Robin & James Currier
Feb 22, 2021
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In this podcast, Carole Robin, an experienced leadership coach and co-founder of Leaders in Tech, discusses topics including seeking help as a founder, the impact of a course on leadership and personal transformation, challenges faced by startup founders, the importance of authenticity and establishing norms within a team, and the value of truth and feedback in leadership.
Building exceptional relationships requires authenticity, vulnerability, and a commitment to growth and dealing with conflict.
Being vulnerable is a sign of strength in leadership, and leaders should challenge societal expectations that associate vulnerability with weakness.
Deep dives
Building Exceptional Relationships and Authenticity in Leadership
The podcast episode explores the importance of building exceptional relationships and being authentic in leadership, particularly for startup founders. It highlights the significance of vulnerability and authenticity in establishing meaningful connections with others. The podcast emphasizes the need for leaders to create an environment where people feel safe to tell the truth and provide and receive feedback. It also addresses the challenge of power differentials and the negative impact of founders carrying everything on their own. The podcast encourages leaders to recognize that being vulnerable is a sign of strength, and that by being more authentic, they can foster effective communication, problem-solving, and team cohesion.
Challenging Mental Models and Overcoming Fears of Weakness
The podcast delves into the mental models and societal expectations that lead leaders, particularly startup founders, to fear appearing weak. It underscores the importance of challenging these beliefs and assumptions to create a more authentic leadership style. It explores the concept of appropriate authenticity and the balance between vulnerability and showcasing strength. The podcast encourages leaders to find ways to share their challenges, uncertainties, and struggles in appropriate ways that foster trust and connection, without diminishing the perception of their competence or leadership abilities.
Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Building Sustainable Organizations
The podcast emphasizes the importance of effective communication and conflict resolution in startup environments. It discusses the significance of creating environments where people feel safe to express their opinions and provide feedback. The podcast explores the concept of addressing conflicts early to prevent them from escalating into major issues. It also emphasizes the value of investing in the development of employees and cultivating a culture of continuous learning and growth. The aim is to create sustainable organizations where relationships are based on trust, honesty, and a commitment to mutual growth and development.
Carole has been in the business of helping leaders grow for over 35 years. Before she co-founded and became the Head of Programs of Leaders in Tech, she taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) for 17 years, where she served as the Faculty Director of the Interpersonal Dynamics for High Performance Executives Program and Director of the Arbuckle Leadership Fellows program. Carole is well known for teaching the Interpersonal Dynamics course that most call the "Touchy Feely Class" (the most popular elective course at the GSB for over 45 years).
Today NFX General Partner James Currier and Carole sit down and discuss a range of topics centered around startup Founders, relationships, her time teaching at Stanford, and her new book called 'Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends and Colleagues' with David Bradford. In Connect, they show readers how to take their relationships from shallow to exceptional by cultivating authenticity, vulnerability, and honesty, while being willing to ask for and offer help, share a commitment to growth, and deal productively with conflict.
"That's why so many founders in the Valley are so exhausted because they're carrying everything. And somehow they've got this idea that unless they come to somebody and say, "Hey, I could use some help here," they're going to appear weak. That's just broken."
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