Douglas Conant, former CEO of Campbell Soup and author of the bestselling book TouchPoints, shares valuable insights on leadership. He emphasizes the importance of daily interruptions as opportunities for connection and how to leverage these moments to enhance team dynamics. Conant discusses his experience overcoming setbacks and the significance of building relationships. He also highlights the impact of handwritten notes on fostering appreciation and the balance between empathy and high performance in leadership, urging a 'how can I help?' approach.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
1984 Firing
In 1984, Douglas Conant was fired from Parker Brothers Toys and Games, leaving him feeling disconnected from the corporate world.
This experience prompted him to build a strong network and realize the importance of external connections.
insights INSIGHT
Interruptions as Opportunities
Instead of minimizing interruptions, view them as opportunities for leadership touchpoints.
Touchpoints allow you to stay connected, address issues, and keep the organization on track.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Touchpoint Approach
Approach touchpoints with a "how can I help" mentality and actively listen.
Frame the issue, help advance the agenda, and follow up.
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TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments by Douglas Conant and Mette Norgaard emphasizes the importance of turning daily interactions into opportunities for leadership growth. The book highlights how these touchpoints can improve employee engagement, drive growth, and foster better customer relationships. It provides practical strategies for leaders to maximize these moments effectively.
Talent Is Overrated
Geoff Colvin
In 'Talent Is Overrated', Geoff Colvin challenges the conventional wisdom that exceptional performance is due to innate talent. Instead, he presents extensive scientific research showing that the key to great performance is 'deliberate practice' – a specific type of work that is designed to improve performance, often with a teacher’s help, and involves continuous feedback and mental demands. The book provides insights and real-world examples to help readers understand and apply these principles to achieve greater performance in their fields.
For many of us, our tendency is to minimize our daily interruptions so we can get more done. On today’s show, my guest Douglas Conant helps us all recognize why these moments are critical in our work as leaders and how we can best utilize them.
Guest: Douglas Conant
Founder, Conant Leadership (Facebook) (Twitter)
Former CEO, Campbell Soup and President of Nabisco
Author with Mette Norgaard of the New York Time Bestseller TouchPoints: Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments*
“The More I Learn About the Outside World, The More Effective I Am With The Inside World.” -Doug Conant
Doug's TouchPoint framework
Ask first, “How can I help?”
1. Listen intently to what’s said and not said
2. Frame the issue so you understand the context in which the person is looking for your help
3. Help them advance the agenda
Ask at the end, “How did it go?”
Doug mentioned the book Talent is Overrarted by Geoff Colvin*
Check out these two articles from Doug
Turn Your Next Interruption Into An Opportunity
What Losing My Job Taught Me About Leading
Doug's book is TouchPoints:Creating Powerful Leadership Connections in the Smallest of Moments*
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