Do Good To Lead Well with Craig Dowden

We’ve all been there. New Year’s comes around, we look at our resolutions, and we’re set on running a dozen Iron Man races. Research has shown that half of all adults make New Year’s resolutions. Despite the popularity of setting these goals, just 12% of people can say they’ve stuck to their resolutions one year on. So, what can we do to improve our chances in attaining the goals we embark on achieving? In this episode, Craig explores the WOOP method of visualizing wishes, obstacles, outcomes and plans to attain your goals. Thanks for a successful 2023, let’s see where 2024 can take us! What You’ll Learn: 1. Trends in New Year's Resolutions  2. False Hope Syndrome and Why Most Fail their New Year’s Resolutions 3. Key Research Findings on Goal Setting 4. 3 Ways to Improve the Likelihood of Achieving Your Goals 5. Approach Goals vs Avoidance Goals 6. The Power of "Mulligans"  7. The Power of Visualization 8. Introducing the WOOP Goal Setting Framework: Wish, Obstacles, Outcome and Plan More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

What if embracing uncertainty could actually be the key to maximizing your potential and unlocking your greatest successes? Join us as we explore this fascinating idea with Professor Nathan Furr from INSEAD, a leading authority in strategy and innovation. We dive deep into his latest book, "The Upside of Uncertainty," and explore how stepping into the unknown can drive transformation.  Learn how to build your resilience to navigate uncertainty through the metaphor of the "first aid cross." We cover the essentials: how to reframe situations, prepare in advance, take effective action, and sustain yourself through inevitable setbacks. Drawing from real-world examples, we discuss how great leaders turn challenges into opportunities and the importance of storytelling in framing uncertainty as a pathway to growth. Learn how practices that build our ambiguity muscle can make us more creative, adaptive, and less anxious in an uncertain world, with reframing as a critical starting point. Finally, we tackle the emotional side of uncertainty, addressing common issues like imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Learn strategies to manage these feelings and how to align your actions with your core values. Nathan's personal stories and expert insights offer a comprehensive guide to understanding and navigating different types of risk, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and emotional hygiene. This episode is filled with actionable tips to help you face uncertainty with confidence. What You’ll Learn: • The First Aid Cross: A metaphor for navigating uncertainty • Framing and storytelling: tools for thriving in uncertainty • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome • All Risks Are Not Created Equal • Aligning actions with core values • Practical strategies for building resilience Podcast Timestamps: (00:00) - Mastering Self-Leadership Through Uncertainty (09:50) - Building Resilience Through Uncertainty (17:09) - Embracing Possibility in Uncertainty (28:35) – How to Navigate Uncertainty With Confidence (34:07) - Understanding Different Types of Risk (47:35) – Fostering Emotional Hygiene Through Uncertainty Key Topics Discussed: Positive Leadership, Navigating Uncertainty, Personal and Professional Growth, Transformation, Innovation, Strategy, Resilience, Possibility, Framing, Storytelling, Imposter Syndrome, Overcoming Self-Doubt, Managing Risk, Dealing with Anxiety, Core Values, Emotional Hygiene, Self-Care, Compassion More of Nathan: Nathan Furr is a professor of strategy and innovation at INSEAD in Paris. Professor Furr earned his PhD from Stanford University and studies how to get ideas, test ideas, and create a culture of innovation. Nathan co-wrote The Innovator's Method: Bringing the Lean Start-up into Your Organization with Jeff Dyer, and has more recently published The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown with his wife, Susannah Harmon Furr. He has published broadly in Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, Forbes, Inc., and several different academic journals. He’s also been nominated for the Thinker's 50 Innovation Award. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-furr-044852/ Mentions: The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown by Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr https://www.amazon.ca/Upside-Uncertainty-Guide-Finding-Possibility/dp/1647823013  The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck https://www.amazon.com/Grapes-Wrath-John-Steinbeck/dp/0143039431  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

What can be done to make a great team out of a variety of people? What makes listening the most important skill for the modern leader? In this episode, Adam answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. Why you must know what you want before jockeying for promotions. 2. The importance of simplifying complexity as a leader. 3. What listening has to do with leadership. 4. Delegation is a MUST. Learn to give things away and let go. 5. The best managers are coaches. 6. It’s great to be a workhorse, but you need to have a little showpony in you to move up. 7. How good managers are talent developers, not talent hoarders. Who is Adam? Adam Bryant is managing director of The ExCo Group and Merryck, a global leadership development consultancy. Prior to working with Merryck, Adam worked as a journalist, including 18 years as a reporter, editor and columnist at The New York Times. Adam has published 4 books, having interviewed over 150 leaders. His new book is The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership. Mentions: The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership by Adam Bryant https://www.amazon.ca/Leap-Leader-Ambitious-Managers-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0B5YGWWW2  The CEO Test: Master the Challenges That Make or Break All Leaders by Adam Bryant and Kevin Sharer https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08CNP2G39/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0  Follow Adam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambryantleadership/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Discover the art of leading with heart and science! On this episode of Do Good to Lead Well, we’re honored to host Dr. Janet Patti and Dr. Robin Stern, who bring their profound expertise on the science and practice of emotionally intelligent leadership. Post-pandemic stress and burnout have taken a toll, but our guests emphasize the power of emotional intelligence and positive relationships in fostering resilience and happiness. They also address the growing issue of loneliness, despite our digital connectivity, and the necessity of emotional awareness for strong, focused leadership. Unlock the secrets to cultivating emotional intelligence and mindfulness with practical, real-world advice from Dr. Patti and Dr. Stern. They dig into the importance of recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions—essential components of emotional intelligence. Learn about mindfulness techniques like the "meta moment," which can help extend the pause between triggers and responses, enabling us to bring our best selves to every situation. Finally, we explore the intricacies of navigating conflict with emotional intelligence and creating safe, healthy communication spaces. Our experts share strategies for managing inevitable conflicts by establishing norms and boundaries in relationships. They highlight the importance of empathy, active listening, and trust in fostering stronger connections. Dr. Patti and Dr. Stern also discuss how leaders can inspire confidence and growth within their teams by consistently acting with emotional intelligence and sharing vulnerabilities. This episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice for leaders aiming to enhance their communication strategies and build resilient, connected teams. What You’ll Learn: • Unlocking Leadership Potential Through Emotional Intelligence • How to Navigate Stress Using Emotional Intelligence • Empathy and Emotional Mastery in Leadership • Mindfulness Practices for Effective Leaders • Building Trust and Resilience in Teams • Transforming Conflict into Growth Opportunities Podcast Timestamps: (00:00) - The Science and Practice of Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (11:51) - Cultivating Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness (19:16) - Navigating Conflict with Emotional Intelligence (32:21) - Creating Safe Conversations for Healthy Relationships (44:54) - Developing Emotional Intelligence for Effective Communication Key Topics Discussed: Positive Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Managing Stress, Avoiding Burnout, Well-being, Loneliness, Positive Relationships, Mindfulness, Resilience, Happiness, Connectivity, Self-awareness, Navigating Conflict, Empathy, Active Listening, Safe Communication, Trust, Establishing Boundaries, Effective Communication, Positive Team Development, Self-reflection, Flexibility, CEO Success More of Janet and Robin: Dr. Patti is a professor emeritus at the Hunter College School of Education where her teaching and research focus on educational leadership. Dr. Stern (a return guest) is a co-founder and senior advisor to the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and a licensed psychoanalyst with 30 years of experience. Together, Janet and Robin created the STAR Factor coaching model, which helps educational leaders enhance their emotional intelligence skills. Janet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-janet-patti-3b6aa6a0/ Robin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-stern-220b403a/ Mentions: Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Today, we unwrap the science behind gift giving. With the holiday season just around the corner, Craig critically analyzes the internal conflict that many of us face, between choosing a gift that the recipient will appreciate and one that we, as gift givers, would want to give. Drawing upon several factors including cost, sentimental value, experience and practicality of the gift, Craig enlightens us on how best we can make our choices. Furthermore, gift-giving, according to Craig, isn't just about the present but significantly determines the dynamics of a relationship.  What You’ll Learn: (0:02:41) - The psychology of why gift giving is difficult (0:04:51) - The factor of cost (0:06:58) - How to gift a gift card (0:08:29) - Gifts that come from the heart are appreciated (0:10:17) - Choosing between the gift the recipient will appreciate versus the wow factor we want to anticipate (0:11:19) - Giving the gift of experience (0:13:40) - Best gift is what the recipient asks for (0:15:54) - Graciously receiving an unwanted gift (0:17:26) - Regifting guilt (0:19:09) - The practicality of asking for a specific gift More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

How can I involve creativity in my work? What can I do when things go wrong? In this episode, Christina Dove answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. The importance of remembering your roots and sharing that through your art. 2. How to involve your community in your business, and make it matter. 3. We are all creative! 4. How to involve your team in the creative process. 5. Creating a culture of open communication. 6. Leading is a process of learning. Who is Christina? Christina is the President and CEO of the Newfoundland Chocolate Company, proudly representing her province around the world through delicious treats! While her chocolate company turns 15 years old, Christina pursues a PhD in medicine at Memorial University. Starting out in St. John’s, the Newfoundland Chocolate Company has gone international, and is a special taste of home for Newfoundlanders whether they’re traveling or returning home. Follow Christina: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-dove/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

Everyone knows empathy is a vital skill to master when it comes to leadership, but what tactics do established leaders use to balance humanity and expectation? What are the 3 H’s to grounding your leadership skills. In this episode, Dr. Danika Goosney answers these questions and more. What You’ll Learn: 1. Using data to advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the STEM field. 2. The 3 grounding H’s of leadership: humanity, humility and humor. 3. Linking the connection between empathy and trust. 4. Conducting an energy audit to observe work trends and assess priorities. 5. Balancing transparency, oversharing, authenticity and professionalism. 6. Reframing situations from a different lens to paint the whole picture. 7. What actually makes for a good mentor. 8. Maximizing impact with data by telling a good story and knowing the audience. 9. 3 ways to maintain resilience as an individual and a leader. Who is Danika? Dr. Danika Goosney, appointed as Vice-President at NSERC in 2019, holds a first-class honors Bachelor of Science and a PhD from the University of British Columbia, where she earned the Governor General's Gold Medal. With a background in microbiology and immunology, she pursued postdoctoral training at the Scripps Research Institute before contributing to Vancouver-based biotech firms. Over nearly a decade at CIHR and later at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, she played pivotal roles in research, knowledge translation, and ethics. Dr. Goosney is nationally recognized for her positive leadership in equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM, advocating for open science and science literacy, while also passionately mentoring those seeking careers in science policy and public service. She now serves as Director and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Nature. Follow Danika: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danika-goosney-ph-d-a361b42/ More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

If you have ever wanted to raise your negotiation skills to the next level, then this is the episode for you! Join me as I sit down with Alexandra Carter, a renowned author and the director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School. In this episode, we journey through Alexandra's fascinating life—from her Long Island upbringing to her pivotal discoveries in mediation at Columbia Law School as well as her ongoing work with the United Nations. With wisdom drawn from her book, "Ask for More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything," Alexandra shares actionable, science-backed strategies to empower you in any negotiation scenario. Discover powerful techniques for sales negotiation that pivot on asking the right questions. We'll reveal how to lead with open-ended questions to uncover customer concerns and turn potential "no's" into "yes's." Alexandra also discusses the critical role of self-reflection and emotional intelligence in decision-making, offering personal stories and practical examples to illustrate how understanding your own position can pave the way for successful outcomes. Finally, we'll focus on mastering the communication skills necessary so we can better understand our needs and those of our counterparts more clearly. By embracing silence and avoiding assumptions, you can gather comprehensive information that informs your proposals. Whether you're negotiating financial requests, handling uncertain counterparts, or leading a team through challenging times, this episode is packed with valuable strategies to boost your personal and professional growth. Join us for these compelling insights and elevate your negotiation game to new heights. What You’ll Learn: • The science and practice of negotiation • The importance of asking open-ended questions • The role of self-reflection & emotional intelligence • How to elevate your communication skills in negotiation  • Aligning personal needs with company goals Podcast Timestamps: (00:00) – From Long Island to Working With the United Stations – The Story of “Ask For More.” (13:33) - Effective Sales Negotiation Strategies (17:46) – Empower Your Negotiation Through Self-Reflection (26:15) - Navigating Emotions in Negotiation (31:26) - Understanding Needs Through Effective Communication (42:05) - Negotiating for Value More of Alexandra: She's the director of the Mediation Clinic at Columbia Law School. So she's also an award winning professor there. And a world renowned negotiation trainer for the United Nations. and she draws on her experience in the book through that, which is really, really beneficial. She also serves as an executive director of Stand Up Girls, helping tween girls develop relationships for greater self esteem. She's appeared in a variety of the top profile outlets. So, like CBS This Morning, MSNBC's Live Weekend Hardball Marketplace. She's been in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and is the best selling author of Ask for More, 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrabcarter/  Key Topics Discussed: Positive Leadership, Negotiation, Sales Leadership, Self-Reflection, Emotional Intelligence, Empowerment, Mediation, Ask for More, Personal Growth, Open-Ended Questions, Understanding Customer Concerns, Overcoming Barriers, Defensive Questions, Managing Emotions, Internal Conflicts, Power of Silence, Effective Communication, Lead with Empathy, CEO Success Mentions: Ask For More: 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything by Alexandra Carter https://alexcarterasks.com/book/  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

What truly drives creativity and innovation in the workplace? Join us as we sit down with Dr. Teresa Amabile from Harvard University, the brilliant and visionary author and researcher behind "The Progress Principle." Dr. Amabile's groundbreaking study, which involved analyzing over 12,000 diary entries, reveals the critical factors that influence employee creativity. We dive into the pivotal role of organizational culture, supervisory support, and team dynamics in fostering an environment where innovative ideas can flourish. Discover the fascinating "inner work life effect," derived from daily diary entries, which shows how positive emotions, perceptions, and intrinsic motivation lead to higher levels of creativity and productivity. We discuss the profound impact of managing setbacks and the surprising finding that many leaders mistakenly prioritize recognition over progress. Dr. Amabile provides valuable insights into how even small impediments can significantly affect employee creativity and productivity, emphasizing the importance of facilitating progress. Learn practical strategies for supporting your team's inner work life, with a focus on basic respect, recognition, encouragement, emotional support, and camaraderie. Finally, she offers advice on how to use diaries to track inner work life and reflect on progress, fostering a motivated and cohesive work environment. Don't miss this enriching conversation that promises to elevate your leadership skills and drive creativity within your team. What You’ll Learn: - The crucial role of organizational culture, supervisory support, and team dynamics. - Surprising findings about managers' misconceptions regarding employee motivation. - Practical strategies for leaders to support their teams effectively. - The power of progress over mere recognition in driving motivation. - A daily progress checklist inspired by Atul Gawande's "The Checklist Manifesto." Podcast Timestamps: (00:00) – What Can You Learn From 12,000 Diary Entries?  (11:49) - The Inner Work-Life Effect (24:51) - Managing Setbacks and Facilitating Progress (32:25) – The Vital Role of Interpersonal Support (46:08) – The Power of Checklists Who is Teresa? As Director of Research at Harvard Business School, Dr. Amabile has had the opportunity to interact with managers at all levels from a variety of industries. Most recently, Teresa collected over 12,000 diary entries from over 200 people working on 26 project teams. These diary entries gave Teresa insight into the inner work lives of the employees, allowing her to parse out what fosters creativity, progress, and ultimately a successful project. The results of this research can be found in her book: The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-amabile-8542727/  Key Topics Discussed: Creativity, Innovation, Progress Principle, Organizational Culture, Supervisory Support, Team Dynamics, Inner Work Life Effect, Positive Emotions, Intrinsic Motivation, Managing Setbacks, Checklist Manifesto, Reflection, Diary, Gratitude, Connection, CEO Success Mentions: The Progress Principle by Teresa Amabile: https://www.amazon.ca/Progress-Principle-Ignite-Engagement-Creativity/dp/1491514353  Amy Edmondson: https://amycedmondson.com/ The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande https://www.amazon.ca/Checklist-Manifesto-How-Things-Right/dp/0312430000/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=208307794507&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9001326&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5539261850166569313&hvtargid=kwd-295612719286&hydadcr=2438_9638418&keywords=the+checklist+manifesto&qid=1698867545&sr=8-1  More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/

In order for us to be effective leaders on the outside, we must be self-aware within. In a recent study of over half a million people, Travis Bradberry narrowed success down to one factor, self-awareness. Awareness is a vital skill to master in which your values, beliefs and behaviors have to be in alignment. Tasha Eurich illustrates the four ways all people embody this trait by examining their internal vs external loci of awareness. She breaks self-awareness down into four quadrants: seekers, introspectors, pleasers, and those who are aware. In this episode, Craig discerns how to understand which quadrant you fall underneath, as well as the key component to moving towards awareness: asking for feedback, one of the most inexpensive activities we can take on as leaders.  What You’ll Learn: 1. The key trait in mastering your external presence as a leader 2. The definition of self-awareness 3. Internal vs external awareness 4. The four types of awareness 5. The steps you need to take to move towards awareness Mentions: Self-Awareness: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Awareness-Hidden-Driver-Success-Satisfaction/dp/0399535314 Insight: https://www.amazon.com/Insight-Surprising-Others-Ourselves-Answers/dp/0525573941 More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/