The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

#342: Shane Snow - The #1 Skill Of An Effective Leader (Intellectual Humility)

Text LEARNERS to 44222

For full show notes go to www.LearningLeader.com

Notes:

• Commonalities of leaders who sustain excellence:
  • Pattern recognition - The ability to connect ideas and people
  • Systems thinking - Connect dots, zoom out
  • The ability to continue to question yourself, a hunger to improve, a "voracious learner" (Liv Boeree)
  • Must relearn how to humble yourself
  • The #1 skill is intellectual humility -- The ability to sit between gullibility and stubbornness
• Why are people so unwilling to change their mind?
  • "So much of our ideas are attached to our identities."
  • "You must separate your ego from intellect."
• What is a solution (as a leader)?
  • If you're the one in power, invite people with a different perspective to the table.
  • Don't invoke identity.  Just ask for perspective.
  • Leave space to change your mind... "I could be wrong but..."
• Strength and flexibility should not be in conflict
• Ben Franklin idea:
  • Use idea, leave space for change, set opinion, but use phrases less defensive, only change your mind based on evidence.  Say things like:
    • "I could be wrong but..."
    • "The research suggests..."
    • "The evidence suggests..."
• Elon Musk -- His pattern to persuade people...
  • It's purpose based leadership ("to make life multi-planetary")
  • The strength is in his vision and his purpose.  He's seen as strong by being willing to change his mind.
• Compliance versus Committed = Cult vs Culture
  • Difference between a cult and culture:
    • Cult - Must act and think in a certain way
    • Culture - Asked to contribute your ideas in your way
• Key part of leadership: "Understand what matters to your people."
• Intellectual humility:
  • Respect for others' viewpoints
  • Lack of intellectual overconfidence
  • Separating your ego from your intellect
  • Being open to revising your viewpoints
  • Openness to new experiences
• Separate feelings/thoughts from facts
• Trying something new creates new opportunities
• Advice:
  • Learn about intellectual humility - take Shane's assessment
  • Frame changing your mind as a strength -- reward others for doing this
  • Habits: Instead of saying "I feel" say "I think."  Words matter.
• Separate facts from stories
• Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea

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