Leading Matters

Tina Seelig, an expert in leadership and creativity, joins John Hennessy, former president of Stanford University, to tackle the intricacies of leadership in academia. They discuss managing conflicting stakeholder goals, including addressing housing and rent issues. John shares experiences with student activism for living wages, where a hunger strike brought ethical concerns to light. The duo emphasizes the importance of transparency, critical feedback, and fostering innovation through collaboration, all while maintaining core values.

Tina Seelig, an expert in ethical leadership, teams up with John Hennessy, a champion of trust and integrity in organizations. They tackle the nuances of ethical dilemmas that leaders face and the significance of maintaining core values. John emphasizes how honesty shapes organizational culture, while Tina dissects the gray areas where legality may clash with ethics. Together, they share strategies for fostering trust and avoiding ethical pitfalls, showcasing the profound impact of leadership on community reputation.

Tina Seelig, a leader in creativity and innovation, joins John Hennessy, a notable figure in technology and education. They discuss the importance of collaboration in effective leadership and how diverse teams can drive success. The duo shares insights on making tough decisions, like evaluating a campus expansion, and knowing when to walk away from projects. They emphasize the balance between daily decision-making and larger projects, illustrating how decisive leadership can create impactful change.

Tina Seelig, a creativity and innovation expert, teams up with John Hennessy, former Stanford president and tech pioneer. They discuss how bold visions can be created and executed, even amid adversity. The conversation covers the transformative Stanford Challenge, emphasizing the importance of community support and entrepreneurial spirit. They also delve into leadership during financial crises, showcasing the necessity of decisive action and effective communication. Their insights illuminate the vital interplay between vision, courage, and resilience in leadership.

The essential traits of curiosity, empathy, and humility in leadership.Tina Seelig and John Hennessy explore the essential traits of curiosity, empathy, and humility in leadership. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they discuss how these qualities shape effective leaders and foster a culture of openness and understanding. Whether you're leading a university or a startup, this conversation offers valuable lessons on navigating complex challenges with empathy and wisdom.Connect with us:WebsiteLinkedInTina Seelig | LinkedInInstagram X / TwitterFacebookYouTubeChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Tina Seelig welcomes John Hennessy and introduces the episode’s focus on curiosity, empathy, and humility in leadership.(00:01:39) Understanding Diverse PerspectivesA story about addressing faculty concerns at Stanford, emphasizing the need for empathy and active listening.(00:03:36) Lessons from the Dalai LamaReflections on interviewing the Dalai Lama, and his views on curiosity, empathy, and humility.(00:04:59) Leading with Empathy in CrisisHandling a student hunger strike, highlighting the role of empathy in resolving complex issues.(00:06:33) Spotting Leadership OpportunitiesHow regular faculty meetings helped uncover new opportunities in neuroscience at Stanford.(00:08:33) Framing the Problem Before Seeking SolutionsThe importance of spending time understanding the problem before focusing on solutions in leadership.(00:09:58)  Managing Diverse PerspectivesAdvice for leaders navigating diverse perspectives.(00:11:58) Decision-Making Models in LeadershipA comparison of decision-making processes in universities versus large corporations.(00:13:51) Balancing Confidence and HumilityHow to demonstrate humility while maintaining confidence in leadership roles.(00:15:50) Historical Role Models of HumilityAbraham Lincoln’s humility and leadership during the Civil War.(00:17:05) Humility for Young LeadersAdvice for young leaders on how to demonstrate humility while building their careers.(00:18:23) Episode TakeawaysFive key lessons for listeners from this episode.(00:18:57) Conclusion

John Hennessy, a renowned faculty member and former president of Stanford University, shares his inspiring leadership journey. He discusses the evolution of leadership in academia, emphasizing the importance of empowering others and fostering collaboration. Hennessy highlights key traits like curiosity and humility that are essential for effective leadership. He also touches on the dynamics of taking risks and shares personal anecdotes about his career growth, showcasing how aligning passions with skills can lead to profound professional paths.

Join Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) as she interviews KHS Founder and Director John Hennessy on leadership. The topics they discuss are drawn from the Knight-Hennessy Leadership Model, which forms the basis of the KHS leadership development program. In their conversations, John shares about his experiences and what he has learned in different leadership roles, including as a faculty member, entrepreneur, president of Stanford University, and founder of Knight-Hennessy Scholars.Follow us on social media (@knighthennessy) and visit our website (kh.stanford.edu) for more about KHS.