Adam Malone is a renowned keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and a father of five. In this episode, he shares insights on developing practical authenticity as a leader. Malone discusses how he learned to balance his inner drive for success with empathy and emotional intelligence, taming his "inner jerk" to become a more effective and respected leader. He covers topics such as building trust and empathy, managing teams across time zones, and the importance of soft skills for long-term success.
Bio: Adam Malone is a keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and father of five. He is known for his expertise in helping leaders and teams develop resilience, tenacity, and grit to achieve sustained high performance. Malone's insights on practical authenticity, emotional intelligence, and building trust-based cultures have made him a sought-after speaker and advisor.
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website: https://thetenaciousoperator.com/profile/posts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-malone-a9100ba/
Leadership, Learning, and Team Building
Adam and Michael discussed the differences between being learned and being taught, with Michael emphasizing the importance of practical application in leadership roles. Adam shared his background in the corporate world and his transition into leadership consulting, citing his realization that he couldn't sustain his current pace and needed to build stronger teams. The conversation was described as organic and conversational, with Michael planning to sprinkle in topics about retention and culture. The meeting was expected to last about 20-25 minutes.
Transitioning From Individual to Leader
Adam and Michael discussed their personal journeys and the challenges of transitioning from individual contributors to team leaders. Adam shared his realization that he had been putting himself at the center of every decision, rather than empowering his team. He emphasized the importance of building trust and understanding that leadership involves delegating tasks and empowering others. Michael agreed, noting that many leaders struggle with this transition due to a lack of training and support. Both agreed that this shift in mindset and approach is crucial for effective leadership.
Leadership, Trust, and Employee Retention
Michael and Adam discussed the importance of leadership and trust in retaining employees and achieving success in organizations. Michael emphasized the need for leaders to understand their teams and provide them with the necessary tools and support to excel. He also highlighted the significance of having a strong operations leader who can see the big picture and make informed decisions. The conversation also touched on the challenges of retaining employees and the need for leaders to trust their people. The discussion concluded with a light-hearted reference to the upcoming Super Bowl.
Employee Retention and Economic Uncertainty
Michael and Adam discussed the importance of retention in organizations. Michael emphasized the need for action beyond just caring for employees, and highlighted the role of trust, communication, and empowering employees to be their best. Adam shared a Gallup statistic indicating that the number of employees looking to leave their jobs is still high, suggesting that companies are not yet fully recovered from the Great Resignation. He also expressed his opinion that companies are still cautious about posting roles due to economic uncertainty. The conversation ended with a sense of anticipation for potential future challenges in employee retention.
Hybrid Work Models and Employee Trust
Adam and Michael discussed the challenges organizations face in determining their hybrid work model. They agreed that organizations must be clear and consistent in their messaging about whether they are in-office, remote, or hybrid. They also highlighted the importance of avoiding hypocrisy in leadership, as it can erode trust and create resentment among employees. Michael further emphasized the need for organizations to consider their employees' financial well-being, as financial stress can lead to high attrition rates. Adam concluded by stressing the importance of organizations figuring out who they are and being consistent in their approach to work models.
Building Trust and Employee Growth
Adam discussed the importance of trust in organizations, emphasizing that it cannot be forced but rather earned through traits like empathy, authenticity, and logic. He highlighted the significance of understanding employees' needs, such as income stability and growth, and validating their feelings. Adam also stressed the importance of promoting employees based on their readiness and development of necessary skills, rather than just granting raises or promotions. He concluded by emphasizing the need for leaders to invest in their employees' growth and future opportunities.
Investing in Employee Development for Retention
Adam and Michael discussed the importance of investing in employee development to improve retention rates. Adam emphasized that simply offering more money when requested is not a sustainable solution. Michael used the analogy of Christmas presents to illustrate how short-lived the satisfaction from a salary increase can be. They agreed that investing in employees' professional development, such as pairing them with mentors and working on projects, can lead to better prepared and skilled employees who are more likely to stay with the organization. Adam also shared his personal experience of having a successful team member who was offered a promotion elsewhere, but chose to stay due to the opportunities provided by the organization.
Work Culture's Impact on Retention
Adam and Michael discussed the importance of a supportive work culture and the impact it has on employee retention. Adam shared his personal experience of choosing to stay in a company he loves over a potentially lucrative offer elsewhere, emphasizing the value of a positive work environment. Michael echoed this sentiment, recalling his own experiences during the dot-com era and the importance of finding a company that offers growth opportunities. They concluded the conversation by discussing how to find more information about Adam's work and his company, The Tenacious Operator.
Addressing Debt and Retention Challenges
Adam and Michael discussed the challenges faced by many Americans due to high levels of debt and the subsequent impact on their quality of life. Michael highlighted the importance of retention in organizations, as poor retention can lead to a decline in product and service quality. They also discussed the difficulties faced by certain industries, such as grain elevators and health insurance underwriters, in attracting and retaining younger generations.
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