Dr. David Reyes is the Talent & Leadership Development Manager at Southwest Airlines and has a Doctorate of Education. In this engaging conversation, he explores how parenting can shape leadership skills, emphasizing adaptability and emotional intelligence. He shares insights about transitioning from academia to corporate leadership, highlighting the importance of effective communication. Reyes advocates for the 'guide on the side' approach in leadership, focusing on collaborative learning and the significance of psychological safety in teams.
David Reyes emphasizes the vital shift from traditional teaching to facilitation, promoting emotional intelligence and personal connections in corporate training.
The importance of tailoring leadership training to diverse audiences ensures that participants can derive relevant insights and foster community among leaders.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Academia to Corporate Leadership Development
The discussion highlights David Reyes's transition from higher education to corporate leadership development at Southwest Airlines. Initially coming from an academic background, Reyes embraced the challenge of applying his knowledge of leadership in a corporate setting, noting the differences in approach and execution. He observed that while educators typically manage every aspect of leadership programs in academia, corporate environments often involve specialized teams for content design and facilitation, allowing for a more collaborative approach. This transition underscored the importance of adapting educational techniques to align with organizational needs while valuing the depth of academic research in practical applications.
Facilitating Learning and Emotional Intelligence
The conversation emphasizes the skill of facilitation over traditional teaching methods when leading corporate training programs. Reyes advocates for engaging participants in discussions that allow them to draw personal connections to leadership concepts, rather than solely delivering theoretical content. Throughout sessions, moments often arise where participants share unexpected vulnerabilities, showcasing the need for emotional intelligence in leadership training. By creating psychologically safe spaces, leaders can encourage meaningful dialogue, allowing for personal growth and deeper understanding among diverse participants.
Contextualizing Leadership Concepts in Diverse Environments
Reyes discusses the challenge of contextualizing leadership concepts for a varied audience in corporate training settings, where participants come from different roles and industries. He emphasizes the necessity of tailoring discussions to be relevant and applicable across various contexts, allowing each participant to derive personal insights. This approach not only fosters greater engagement but also promotes shared learning, as participants contribute their unique perspectives and experiences. The aim is to guide leaders in translating broad leadership principles into actionable insights pertinent to their specific environments.
Building Relationships and Community through Learning
The dialogue underscores the importance of fostering relationships and a sense of community among participants in leadership development programs. Reyes notes that facilitating connections among leaders enhances learning experiences, as individuals share their challenges and triumphs, enriching the training sessions. This social aspect of learning contributes significantly to team dynamics and helps create a supportive environment where leaders feel empowered to take ownership of their growth. By emphasizing collaboration and shared experiences, the training programs become a platform for building lasting professional networks.
Dr. David Reyes serves as the Talent & Leadership Development Manager at Southwest Airlines, overseeing the Leadership Development Programs strategy and execution. Before his work in Talent Development, he served in administration in higher education and continues to teach as an adjunct professor for Communication and Leadership classes.
In 2021, David received his Doctorate of Education and studied the social responsibility and the efficacy of Leadership Educators and practitioners. David has been married to Madison for 8 years, and they have two children, Judah (3) and Nora (1 month).
A Quote From This Episode
"We should not be the sage on the stage but to be the guide on the side."
About The International Leadership Association (ILA)
The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Register for ILA's 26th Global Conference in Chicago, IL - November 7-10, 2024.
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