Coaching for Leaders

Morra Aarons-Mele, a digital consultant and the host of The Anxious Achiever podcast, dives into the intricacies of leadership and control. She highlights how fear often drives the need to micromanage, suggesting small shifts in practices to foster open awareness and trust. Morra introduces the 'so what' technique from cognitive behavioral therapy to help tackle anxiety by facing fears directly. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and embracing flexibility in hybrid workplaces to empower teams and improve resilience.

Jill Schlesinger, an Emmy Award-winning Business Analyst for CBS News and host of the Jill on Money podcast, dives into the nuances of educational investments. She discusses common pitfalls in pursuing degrees and certifications and emphasizes the importance of tailored financial advice based on individual circumstances. Jill also highlights transformative career changes, the evolving landscape of education, and how personal experiences can reshape financial decisions. Her insights encourage listeners to align their learning with personal goals for a fulfilling career and life.

Jonathan Raymond, founder of Refound and author of *Good Authority*, offers insightful strategies for aligning employees with their roles. He discusses the importance of clarity in job responsibilities and how depersonalizing roles can facilitate better communication. Listeners will learn about four key questions to enhance alignment conversations, the significance of defining role purposes, and the connection between employee engagement and business outcomes. Raymond also shares concepts to foster accountability and create a more people-first organizational culture.

Explore strategies for managing over-confident team members while balancing skills gaps and accountability. Delve into the importance of trust, clear expectations, and feedback for fostering effective team dynamics. Discover the impact of implicit bias in professional interactions and how aligning strengths can enhance workplace culture. Additionally, learn practical tips for managing household tasks that prioritize joy and collaboration, transforming everyday chores into supportive team experiences.

Claire Hughes Johnson, former COO of Stripe and a seasoned leader with a decade at Google, shares valuable insights on leading reorganizations. She explains that reorganizations can signal growth, not just problems, and highlights triggers like misaligned structures and talent issues. The importance of acting swiftly is underscored—don’t let ice cream melt! Claire discusses the need for strategic alignment and effective communication, while also advocating for accountability in leadership. She emphasizes the shift from management to visionary leadership during change.

Sally Helgesen, a leading authority on women’s leadership and bestselling author, shares her insights on overcoming emotional triggers in the workplace. She reveals how our instinct to vent or internalize can hinder effective responses. Sally emphasizes creating positive scripts and assuming goodwill in interactions, which can transform workplace dynamics. She also discusses the 'authenticity trap' and the importance of balancing authenticity with professionalism. Her practical strategies promote healthier communication and conflict resolution for more inclusive environments.

In this engaging conversation, Kathy Fiddler, Vice President of Population Health at TidalHealth and former US Air Force Major, shares her inspiring journey from clinical roles to executive leadership. She discusses the importance of diverse perspectives for building leadership confidence and creating better outcomes. Kathy emphasizes how navigating discomfort can foster personal and organizational growth. Additionally, she highlights the need for small groups to empower introverted leaders and the critical role of community in achieving health equity.

Adi Ignatius, Editor in Chief of Harvard Business Review and a seasoned journalist, dives into the evolving responsibilities of leaders in today's complex political landscape. He discusses whether organizations should take stands on current events, noting that silence can convey unintended messages. The conversation also highlights the unique challenges CEOs face in balancing activism with stakeholder opinions and navigating the implications of geopolitical crises on corporate decision-making. Ignatius emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership responses.

Carol Kauffman is a renowned leadership coach with 40,000 hours of coaching experience and serves as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. In this insightful discussion, she dives into the challenges of stepping into a new leadership role, emphasizing the importance of mindset and self-awareness. Kauffman shares strategies for establishing clarity and navigating team dynamics, while also highlighting the significance of peer relationships and empathy. Additionally, she talks about her book, 'Real-Time Leadership,' and resources available for aspiring leaders.

In this discussion, Joe Hart, President and CEO of Dale Carnegie, dives into the art of uncovering others' values through meaningful conversations. He shares practical techniques for asking the right questions, which helps to illuminate what truly matters to others without awkwardness. Joe emphasizes the importance of empathy and the power of interpersonal skills in building relationships. He also introduces a 'conversation stack' method to ease networking anxieties, making connections more genuine and impactful.