Michael Hyatt, CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company and author of bestselling books, shares his insights on leadership and vision communication. He emphasizes starting with direct reports who resist change and the importance of active listening. Hyatt highlights the necessity of aligning your vision with your boss's goals and presents strategies for gaining team buy-in. He also discusses the delicate balance between critical thinking and innovation, along with effective presentation techniques to communicate your vision clearly and consistently.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Start With Direct Reports
Begin selling your vision script to direct reports, as they'll help implement it.
Start with a draft and invite their input to foster ownership.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Address Change Resistance
When selling your vision, address those who resist change first.
Acknowledge what won't change to build trust and address concerns.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Listen and Be Curious
Be quick to listen and slow to speak when discussing your vision.
Ask clarifying questions and be genuinely curious about others' perspectives.
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In this book, Michael Hyatt and Steve Gottry offer practical advice on creating and expanding a platform to get noticed in a noisy world. The authors discuss the use of social media technologies and other strategies to build an audience and establish a strong presence. Drawing from Hyatt's experience as a former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers and his success as a business blogger, the book provides down-to-earth guidance for entrepreneurs and individuals looking to enhance their visibility.
Free to Focus
Michael Hyatt
In 'Free to Focus,' Michael Hyatt presents a comprehensive productivity system designed to help readers manage their time and energy more effectively. The book emphasizes the importance of focus, outlining a three-phase approach: Stop (formulate, evaluate, rejuvenate), Cut (eliminate non-essentials), and Act (build momentum). Hyatt introduces the 'Freedom Compass,' which categorizes tasks into zones such as the Desire Zone, Drudgery Zone, Distraction Zone, and Disinterest Zone, to help readers prioritize tasks that align with their passions and skills. The book aims to help professionals achieve a better work-life balance by doing more of what they love and less of what they don't.
Your Best Year Ever
A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals
Michael Hyatt
In Your Best Year Ever, Michael Hyatt shares a 5-step plan to help readers achieve their most important goals. The book is based on modern research and real-world experience, providing actionable steps to overcome past setbacks, set and pursue worthy goals, and stay motivated. It covers various aspects of life, including spirituality, marriage, parenting, friendships, intellectual life, personal finances, work, mental health, and physical health. The system helps readers identify what holds them back, find the right balance between challenging and achievable goals, and leverage support from partners or groups to ensure success.
Vision-Driven Leader
Michael Hyatt
Living Forward
A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
Michael Hyatt
Daniel Harkavy
In this book, Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy provide a step-by-step guide for creating a 'Life Plan' that helps readers stop drifting through life and instead live with intention and purpose. The authors share proven principles to help readers design a life with the end in mind, determine desired outcomes, and chart a path to achieve them in every area of life. The book addresses the tendency to drift and offers tools and resources to create clarity, courage, and commitment in living a meaningful life[1][2][5].
Michael Hyatt: The Vision-Driven Leader
Michael is the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Michael Hyatt & Company. He has scaled multiple companies over the years, including a $250M publishing company with 700+ employees and his own leadership development company that has grown over 60% year over year for the past 4 years. Under his leadership, Michael Hyatt & Company has been featured in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for three years in a row.
He is also the author of several New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling books, including Platform*, Living Forward*, Your Best Year Ever*, and Free to Focus*. He enjoys The Double Win with his wife of 40+ years, five daughters, and nine grandchildren. He recently released his newest book: The Vision-Driven Leader: 10 Questions to Focus Your Efforts, Energize Your Team, and Scale Your Business*.
In this conversation, Michael and I discuss where to start once you’ve created an initial vision. Michael invites us to engage those that don’t like change and take the time to listen. In addition, getting buy-in from your boss is essential — your vision should align with their goals and those of the organization.
Key Points
Start with your direct reports who don’t like change. Be quick to listen, slow to speak.
Make the distinction between risky vs. stupid.
Bosses don’t like surprises. You have to commit first.
When I had a boss, I had a basic rule: Don’t take a swing unless I’m confident I’ll hit the ball. -Michael Hyatt
Know your customer. Make sure the vision is helping your boss — and the organization — achieve their goals.
Before you schedule a time to pitch your proposal, answer the question: how is my Vision Script going to help my boss achieve their goals? If you can’t answer that question, you’re not ready to make the pitch. -Michael Hyatt
Anticipate the objections you’re likely to receive and be ready for them.
Once you’ve got buy-in on a vision, stop. Don’t oversell it.
When you’re starting to get tired of hearing yourself talk about the vision, that’s an indicator that you’re on the right track.
Resources Mentioned
Vision Driven Leader bonus resources
Book Notes
Download my highlights from The Vision-Driven Leader in PDF format (free membership required).
Related Episodes
How to Get Noticed in a Noisy World, with Michael Hyatt (episode 40)
How to Create a Vivid Vision, with Cameron Herold (episode 345)
Embrace a Just Cause, with Simon Sinek (episode 473)
How to Create Your Personal Vision (free membership required)
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