488: Leadership Means You Go First, with Keith Ferrazzi

Aug 31, 2020

Keith Ferrazzi, the founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight and a renowned author, discusses his groundbreaking insights on leadership. He emphasizes the concept of co-elevation, advocating for proactive engagement and personal accountability among leaders. Ferrazzi outlines six deadly sins leaders should avoid, including laziness and cowardice, and shares personal stories that highlight the importance of relationships in achieving success. He challenges traditional hierarchies, promoting a collaborative approach to foster teamwork and innovation.

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ANECDOTE

Caddy Lessons

Keith Ferrazzi learned valuable lessons as a golf caddy, realizing the importance of relationships and service.
By serving wealthy people, he gained access to opportunities like college, mentorship, and a different perspective on life.

ADVICE

Take Ownership

Accept responsibility for driving change instead of waiting for others.
Focus on actively engaging and enlisting others in your efforts, rather than expecting them to meet you halfway.

ANECDOTE

Foster Son Analogy

Keith Ferrazzi's foster son initially resisted his role as a father due to past trauma.
Ferrazzi remained committed, demonstrating that leadership involves unwavering dedication regardless of initial resistance.

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Keith Ferrazzi: Leading Without Authority Keith Ferrazzi is the founder and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, a management consulting and team coaching company that works with many of the world’s biggest corporations. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Keith rose to become the youngest CMO of a Fortune 500 company during his career at Deloitte, and later became CMO of Starwood Hotels. Keith is a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fortune and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Who’s Got Your Back* and Never Eat Alone*. He’s the author of the new book, Leading Without Authority: How the New Power of Co-Elevation Can Break Down Silos, Transform Teams, and Reinvent Collaboration*. In this conversation, Keith and I discuss the importance of co-elevation in leadership. We also explore the six deadly sins that leaders should avoid — and discuss why it’s all on you, especially at the start. Key Points Six deadly excuses leaders should avoid: Ignorance: there’s no excuse to sit back and do nothing. Laziness: do not abdicate your responsibility to lead. Deference: beware hiding the truth just to defer to the organizational chart. Playing the victim: avoid running away or resigning to self-pity. Cowardice: if someone scares you, it’s probably an opportunity to grow. Indulgence: stop indulging resentments as they often hold back your career and limit personal and professional success. Resentment leaves us blind and powerless; it’s been compared to drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. Book Notes Download my highlights from Leading Without Authority in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Choice for Compassion, with Edith Eger (episode 336) How to Motivate Leaders, with John Maxwell (episode 452) How to Create Great Relationships, with Colleen Bordeaux (episode 455) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.