PPP 443 | Finding Mentors and Hidden Leadership Lessons, with Scott Millson
Jan 4, 2025
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Scott Millson, author of "Frequency of Excellence," dives into the significance of lifelong learning and mentorship. He shares how ADHD is his superpower, enhancing his ability to focus and thrive. Millson highlights the difference between excellence and perfection, noting that excellence motivates while perfection can be stifling. He discusses the idea of inattentional blindness and how mentors can profoundly shape our lives. With practical advice on public speaking and family values, he emphasizes that every challenge can be a chance for growth.
Effective leadership is developed through continuous learning and reflection on everyday experiences rather than solely relying on formal titles or credentials.
Mentorship can flourish through informal relationships where observing and interacting with accomplished individuals enhances personal and professional growth.
Deep dives
The Growth Journey of Leadership
Becoming an effective leader involves continuous learning and reflection rather than simply acquiring a title or credentials. As the speaker emphasizes, leadership growth can often be obscured by daily stress and busyness, leading to missed opportunities for learning. Scott Milsen’s book, "Frequency of Excellence," underscores the importance of tuning into everyday experiences to extract valuable leadership lessons. By taking the time to reflect on these moments, aspiring leaders can grow and develop their skills organically over time.
Harnessing ADHD as a Superpower
Scott Milsen reflects on his experiences growing up with traits often linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), highlighting how these characteristics can evolve into strengths. He expresses the idea that society’s labeling of such traits should not overshadow their potential benefits. By channeling his hyperactive tendencies into hyper-focus, Scott learned to stand out and excel in a competitive consulting environment. This perspective encourages others to see their unique wiring as an asset rather than a limitation, leveraging their differences for success.
The Power of Mentorship
The concept of mentorship is explored with an emphasis on informal relationships where learning occurs through observation and interaction. Scott shares his journey of surrounding himself with accomplished individuals, learning from their excellence without the need for formal mentorship arrangements. He stresses the importance of being proactive in building connections with those who inspire and challenge you, fostering a culture of growth and excellence. As he reflects on multiple mentors throughout his career, Scott highlights the value of learning by example and the impact it has on personal and professional development.
Excellence vs. Perfection
Scott makes an important distinction between excellence and perfection, arguing that striving for excellence is a more attainable and healthier goal. While perfectionism can be paralyzing and unachievable, excellence is described as a motivating and inspiring pursuit that can generate positive experiences. He shares personal insights, including how the pressure to achieve perfection often leads to stagnation while embracing excellence fosters continuous improvement and adaptability. Through these discussions, he advocates for a growth mindset driven by learning from experiences rather than the unrealistic pursuit of flawlessness.
In this conversation, Andy welcomes Scott Millson, author of Frequency of Excellence: Tuning in to Everyday Lessons of Life and Leadership. Scott and Andy discuss the importance of lifelong learning and mentorship, the difference between excellence and perfection, and practical strategies for overcoming challenges, such as public speaking anxiety. Scott shares his personal leadership lessons, including the notion of inattentional blindness and the power of a growth mindset. He emphasizes the value of recognizing learning opportunities in daily life and how mentors can shape our professional and personal growth.
Sound Bites
"At any moment of any day, excellence is out there. You just have to be tuned into the right frequency in order to see it."
"When things seem to be falling apart, they may be falling into place."
"How you do anything is how you do everything."
"Excellence and perfection are diametrically opposed. Excellence inspires and motivates, while perfection sucks the life out of you."
"I’ve never formally asked anyone to be my mentor. Instead, I watched, learned, and surrounded myself with excellent people."
"Speak with a purpose. When you speak, there’s a currency to your words—treat them as valuable."
"ADD isn’t a disorder—it’s my superpower. My ability to hyperfocus lets me outwork anyone."