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ReThinking

How to become a "friction-fixer" with Bob Sutton

Jan 30, 2024
In this lively chat, Bob Sutton, a Stanford organizational psychologist and bestselling author, explores how leaders can become 'friction-fixers' at work. He shares insights on the importance of active listening and self-awareness in navigating workplace dynamics. Sutton highlights the surprising benefits of inconvenience and argues that being a boring leader can actually be a strategic advantage. He also touches on the dangers of sham participation and the necessity of engaging directly with teams for effective communication.
38:14

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Friction can be both detrimental and beneficial in organizations, and leaders should recognize the value of good friction in limiting excessive behavior or preventing errors.
  • Leaders should prioritize listening and asking questions over making statements, as genuine curiosity leads to more effective leadership and innovative conversations.

Deep dives

The Importance of Making Workplaces More Effective

Bob Sutton, an organizational psychologist, discusses his interest in improving broken workplaces. He emphasizes the responsibility of academics to have real-world impact and make workplaces more effective. Sutton believes that his mentor's perspective and his own personal experiences with broken systems motivated him to pursue this field of study.

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