Andrew C.M. Cooper, a trailblazing executive leader and advocate for compassionate business practices, discusses the transformative power of non-traditional relationships in personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the importance of dedicating time to 'shifters' who provide honest feedback, and 'connectors' who expand your network. Cooper also highlights how benevolent antagonists can foster personal development through healthy challenges. His insights are backed by his experiences as General Counsel of UPS Airlines and his work during Operation Warp Speed.
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Quick takeaways
Investing 30% of your professional time into non-traditional relationships is essential for developing skills and insights necessary for growth.
Engaging with diverse archetypes like shifters, connectors, and benevolent antagonists can enhance resilience and adaptability in complex leadership challenges.
Deep dives
The Power of Non-Traditional Relationships
Non-traditional relationships play a crucial role in personal and professional growth, often overlooked in favor of traditional ones. Leaders should consider engaging with various archetypes, such as ‘shifters,’ who can challenge decisions and provide critical feedback that promotes self-awareness and growth. The episode emphasizes the need to break free from preconceived notions about relationships by learning from individuals who may initially appear as obstacles or adversaries. By embracing these relationships, leaders can cultivate a support system that fosters resilience and adaptability in complex environments.
Organic vs. Inorganic Growth
The distinction between organic and inorganic growth is essential for leadership development. While organic growth focuses on self-discovery and skill enhancement, inorganic growth emphasizes the value of external feedback from diverse relationships. This approach encourages leaders to invest time and energy in forming connections across hierarchy and industry, allowing for broader perspectives and insights. By integrating both types of growth, professionals can navigate their careers with a more informed and strategic outlook.
Embracing Non-Traditional Archetypes
The discussion introduces three additional non-traditional archetypes vital for leadership: the shifter, the connector, and the benevolent antagonist. A shifter challenges decisions to ensure they are well-founded and provides support in adjusting strategies as needed. Connectors facilitate relationships and opportunities within and outside of organizations, which can be crucial for individuals, especially introverts. Benevolent antagonists inspire healthy competition and help identify areas for improvement, ultimately sharpening leadership skills and promoting excellence.
Investing in Relationships as a Leadership Strategy
Investing a significant portion of one's professional currency—time, energy, and resources—into building and maintaining these non-traditional relationships is essential for successful leadership. Achieving a balance of at least 30% investment in these connections can enhance a leader's ability to navigate challenges and cultivate necessary support systems. This perspective promotes a proactive approach to relationship-building, urging leaders to seek alliances beyond traditional hierarchies. By recognizing the importance of these non-traditional relationships, leaders can adapt more effectively to changing landscapes in their organizations.
Andrew C.M. Cooper is an executive leader and apologist for compassionate business practices. He led as a history-making first Millennial and Black executive to serve as General Counsel of UPS Airlines, the world’s largest logistics airline with over 20,000 employees. His team was essential to the success of Operation Warp Speed, the United States’ pandemic vaccine relief effort. He’s the author of The Ethical Imperative: Leading with Conscience to Shape the Future of Business*.
We all know the power of relationships to help us grow. However, we don’t always seek out some of the non-traditional relationships that might help most. In this conversation, Andrew and I discuss three types of people we often overlook that will help us grow.
Key Points
Many of us invest in organic, traditional relationships. Those are important, but not sufficient in such a dynamic world.
Invest 30% of your time into relationships that will add skills, knowledge, or insights you can’t develop yourself.
Shifters observe well, read between the lines, and help us adapt in uncertain and changing situations.
Connectors will help your expand professional affiliations. Having a connector in your corner can be as helpful as being a connector yourself.
People who first appear as sharks may be benevolent antagonists. Listen for what others around them say to determine who might challenge you in healthy ways.