617: Adam Galinsky - How To Inspire Others, Build a Team, Speak Up For Yourself, Thrive Through Adversity, & Become Their Favorite Boss
Jan 13, 2025
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Adam Galinsky, a social psychologist and professor at Columbia Business School, shares insights on inspiring leadership. He discusses the importance of composure during crises, referencing the calm demeanor of pilot Tammy Jo Shults during a critical flight incident. Adam emphasizes building personal connections before challenges arise to enhance team trust. He also explores the philosophy of Kaizen for continuous improvement and stresses that genuine care and emotional intelligence are vital in leadership, shaping a positive workplace culture.
Effective leadership is demonstrated through composure during crises, as shown by Tammy Jo Shults' response to a mid-air emergency.
Building genuine relationships within teams before critical moments enhances performance and minimizes errors in high-pressure situations.
The concept of Kaizen promotes continuous improvement through small changes, fostering a growth mindset essential for effective leadership.
Deep dives
The Impact of Tenure Denial
The denial of tenure can be a shocking experience for any academic, as illustrated by a personal story from a social psychologist. After an enthusiastic departmental vote in favor of tenure, the individual was unexpectedly denied during a meeting with the deans, receiving mixed explanations afterward. This experience led to a period of emotional reflection which highlights how unexpected setbacks can deeply affect one's career trajectory and personal well-being. The narrative serves as a reminder that the academic path can involve significant uncertainty and the necessity of resilience in the face of disappointment.
Leadership During Crisis
The podcast emphasizes the exemplary leadership demonstrated by Tammy Jo Schultz, the pilot of Southwest Flight 1380, during a mid-air crisis when the plane's left engine exploded. Her calm and composed response, particularly the critical announcement, 'We are not going down, we are going to Philly,' transformed passengers' panic into trust and hope. This incident exemplifies how effective communication and a clear action plan during emergencies can significantly impact followers' perception of safety. Critical lessons in leadership involve maintaining composure, clearly articulating a shared vision, and prioritizing the well-being of those being led.
The Importance of Team Cohesion
Research indicates that errors in high-pressure environments, such as cockpit crews, often occur not from fatigue but from lack of familiarity. Early-stage flights frequently lead to mistakes because crew members do not know each other well, underscoring the necessity of relationship-building before critical moments unfold. Establishing genuine connections through informal interactions, such as sharing meals or personal stories, greatly enhances teamwork and collaborative efficiency. Teams that cultivate these bonds are better equipped to handle crises effectively and perform optimally under pressure.
Building Confidence Through Evidence
Developing confidence is crucial for effective leadership, and it can be cultivated through consistent practice and reflection. By recalling past moments of success, individuals can create a reservoir of evidence that bolsters their self-assurance, particularly when facing new challenges. This approach encourages people to regularly push their boundaries and engage in activities that stretch their comfort zones. Whether by undertaking difficult tasks or participating in public speaking, building a routine of tackling hard challenges promotes an internal belief in one’s abilities and resilience.
The Philosophy of Continuous Improvement
The concept of Kaizen emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and small incremental changes to achieve excellence over time. Inspired by personal stories, such as those from the podcast host’s parents and their commitment to bettering themselves daily, this philosophy encourages individuals to focus on gradual self-improvement rather than overwhelming transformations. By setting daily goals and reflecting on progress, one can cultivate a mindset that values growth and development. This encourages leaders to strive for improvement not only in their own practices but also in how they support others around them.
Go to www.LearningLeader.com for full show notes for episode #617 with Adam Galinsky
Notes:
10 Words - “We are not going down. We are going to Philly.” The composure of pilot Tammy Jo Shults after the side of her airplane exploded. Leadership is needed most when things go bad. How do you respond when adversity strikes? Those are the moments when we must be prepared to share the vision and help our team stay the course.
EMTs asked, "How did you get through security? You have nerves of steel. You don't even have an elevated heart rate."
The 1992 cockpit study of pilots. Did more errors happen at the beginning or the end of a 19-hour flight? You’d assume the end because of exhaustion. However, more errors happen at the beginning of the flight because the crews don’t know each other yet. How does this translate to your team? It’s imperative to genuinely care and get to know the people on your team. Host barbeque parties, ask questions, and genuinely LEARN about the people you’re leading. Those aren’t soft skills, those are essential skills.
What did Adam learn from his parents? The idea of Kaizen, is a Japanese business philosophy that promotes continuous improvement through small, incremental changes. Kaizen means "good change," "change for the better," or "improvement."
Transactional leaders are infuriating. Transformational leaders are inspiring.
Great leader exercise: "Tell me about a leader that inspired you..." What qualities do they possess? "Courage, Optimism, Generous."
Inspire - the universal path for leading yourself and others
Build habits - floss teeth before brushing. Write thank you notes.
Moments of Greatness -- Elks basketball
Team thank you notes - Rob Kimbel
Columbia football coach -- "Who can I yell at?" Need to know who can handle it.
Ron Ullery -- Share the vision early. 1:1 conversation, bring your leaders in.
Adam did not get tenure when most thought he deserved it. They messed up by not sharing the vision until after, but then they made it better by sharing and showing him love. He then turned down Harvard to stay at Northwestern because of it.
Vision - Big picture. Put context for behavior. Why is consistency important?
The Great Gatsby and his dad. Greenlights.
When you're thinking about trying to persuade others, you persuade yourself.
Parenting -- When you flip out, they do too. We set the tone.
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