483: How to Start in Leadership, with Bonni Stachowiak

Aug 3, 2020

Discover tips for new supervisors navigating the challenges of leadership. Gain insights on leading individuals older than yourself and hear inspiring stories from influential leaders like Katharine Graham. Learn how to balance personal well-being with professional responsibilities while fostering collaboration. Explore strategies for effective communication and decision-making in diverse teams, and uncover valuable resources to support your leadership journey.

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ADVICE

Leadership Framework

Read "The Leadership Challenge" by Kouzes and Posner for a good leadership framework.
Identify your leadership blind spots by reflecting on their practices.

ADVICE

Human Relations

Read Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" for human relations principles.
Learn to listen well and understand others' perspectives.

ANECDOTE

Kristen Hadeed's Leadership

Kristen Hadeed started Student Made in college, becoming a successful young CEO.
She's a great example of authentic leadership despite early struggles.

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The Leadership Challenge

How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations

Barry Posner

James M. Kouzes

This book is a gold-standard manual for effective leadership, grounded in research and written by premier authorities in the field. It describes leadership as a skill to be learned and a relationship that must be nurtured. The authors, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, identify five core practices of exemplary leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. These practices are supported by numerous international examples and updated cases to address current challenges. The book emphasizes that leadership is not about personality but about an observable and learnable set of skills and abilities.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Dale Carnegie

First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations[2][3][5].

Personal history

Katharine Graham

In 'Personal History', Katharine Graham recounts her extraordinary life, from her childhood in a wealthy but emotionally isolated family to her marriage to the charismatic Philip Graham, who struggled with manic-depression and eventually committed suicide. The book chronicles her transformation from a housewife to the chairman of The Washington Post, detailing her involvement in significant historical events such as the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal. Graham's memoir is praised for its frankness, candor, and historical significance, offering insights into her personal struggles, her professional growth, and the evolution of the women's movement and the media industry.

The Art of Gathering

How We Meet and Why It Matters

Priya Parker

In 'The Art of Gathering', Priya Parker argues that many gatherings are lackluster and unproductive, but they don't have to be. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of various types of gatherings, Parker offers a human-centered approach to create meaningful experiences. She explores a wide array of gatherings, including conferences, meetings, and social events, and provides practical advice on how simple changes can invigorate any group experience. The book emphasizes the importance of knowing the purpose of a gathering, selecting the right venue, and ensuring the event is unique and effective for all attendees.

The empowered manager

Peter Block

In 'The Empowered Manager', Peter Block offers a roadmap to transforming traditional organizational management by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. The book emphasizes the importance of empowerment, autonomy, and positive politics in creating a culture of high performance and commitment. It challenges the patriarchal contract that often leads to dependency and instead promotes self-expression and enlightened self-interest.