203: Todd Rovak - Emotional Intelligence, Trust, Authenticity, Hiring The Right People

May 7, 2017

Todd Rovak, managing partner and CEO at Fahrenheit 212 and head of Capgemini Consulting North America, shares insights on leadership and emotional intelligence. He discusses the importance of knowing your 'why' and aligning personal goals with company strategies for success. Rovak emphasizes the need for trust within teams and effective time management, advocating for short meetings and protected thinking time. He also highlights the significance of clear communication and giving constructive feedback to enhance team performance.

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INSIGHT

Keep Your Eye On The Why

High performers always keep their eye on the 'why' and the long-term destination of their work.
They pair that with honest self-awareness about strengths and weaknesses to surround themselves with complementary people.

ADVICE

Pick Company-Critical Opportunities

When opportunity appears, move quickly and align your projects with company strategy rather than chasing credit.
Pick big, company-central problems to solve so your personal success and the company succeed together.

ADVICE

Lead Multiple Teams By Building A Strong 'We'

Surround yourself with trusted leaders and clarify distinct roles when you lead multiple organizations.
Create a shared vision so separate operations can rally toward the same outcome.

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Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:

They know why they're there
"They always have their eye on the why"
"They think about success often"
They understand their strengths and weaknesses
"Surround yourself with people who compliment your strengths/weaknesses"

How did Todd make a quick ascent to CEO?
- There must be an opportunity and then you "must go like hell when that happens"
- "I love the outcome, I love the impact we have"
- "When coming up through the company, I always kept an eye on the overall strategy"
- "Don't focus on getting credit for the project."
- "Make sure your personal goals and company goals are aligned."
How he does two separate CEO roles? — "Must surround yourself with people you trust"
- "A strong WE"
Calendar/Time Management
- All meetings are 15 minutes in length — This forces people to get to the point immediately
- Week unfolds:
  - Front load all staff meetings by 1:00 Monday. Must be done by Monday afternoon — "What are the goals for the week?"
  - Having a chief of staff is important
  - Todd is an introvert and does not do back to back meetings all day. Needs 30 minutes breaks every 3 meetings to think
  - "You said an important word… And that word is THINK"
"As a manager you are responsible for the success of people." — Management means you have a responsibility for them
- Must give feedback. Feedback is a gift. It's generous to give feedback.
"There's nothing easier than sharing credit."
"Management is around understanding the differences in people, and getting the best out of them"
"Leadership is about painting a vision"
- Lead with trust
- Todd's story of his first client engagement – FAILED… How his boss responded with trust was powerful — "I trust you"
When managing through a crisis… BE:
- Clear
- Calm
- Credible
How sketch comedy can help you be a better leader
- Bring your whole self to your job
- Build emotional intelligence
Paying employees to take a class that has nothing to do with work (Learn a second language, guitar lessons, etc)
Hiring process:
- "What are the first 5 things you read everyday?" — "Okay, now tell me the real answer. I want to learn about you, not what you think I want to hear"
  - "I want to hear them defend or support an argument. It doesn't matter what it's about
Books to read: The Enders Game — Incredible story about getting the best out of people and creating teams
To be a Learning Leader? — "A process of building. It's a thing you do."
- "Time is a really expensive leader." "Must always evolve and pick up lessons"