Coaching for Leaders

Sunita Sah, an award-winning professor at Cornell and author of *Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes*, shares her insights on defiance and compliance. She discusses how defiance is a nuanced process rather than a snap judgement. Sunita explains the five stages of defiance and highlights the concept of ‘insinuation anxiety,’ which leads people to prioritize social harmony over personal values. Through personal anecdotes, she emphasizes the importance of standing firm in healthcare choices and asserts that true defiance aligns with one’s core values.

Explore the evolution of team communication from traditional methods to digital platforms, focusing on clear expectations. Discover strategies for enhancing remote collaboration with tools like Zendesk, alongside tips for effective engagement in higher education. The discussion highlights the importance of purposeful gatherings and maintaining boundaries in donor relationships. Finally, learn how leveraging team strengths can boost collaboration and overall effectiveness, promoting a balanced leadership style.

Jennifer Garvey Berger, co-founder and CEO of Cultivating Leadership, dives into the transformative power of feedback in this engaging discussion. She emphasizes that feedback is not just a one-way street but a valuable opportunity for shared learning. By dissecting our reactions and inviting others' perspectives, leaders can unlock deeper insights and growth. Berger also shares strategies for effective feedback conversations, promoting collaboration and curiosity to enhance team dynamics and personal development. A must-listen for aspiring leaders!

Anne Chow, the first woman of color CEO at AT&T Business, discusses the transformative power of inclusion and values in the workplace. She emphasizes the distinction between core and aspirational values, advocating for aligning them with actual behaviors. Anne shares strategies for engaging teams in values discussions and stresses the importance of accountability and regular assessments to build trust. The conversation also touches on evolving perspectives around generational diversity and the need for leaders to understand the unique motivations of younger employees.

Karthik Ramanna, a Professor at Oxford's Blavatnik School of Government and author of 'The Age of Outrage,' dives into the challenges leaders face in a polarized world. He emphasizes the importance of temperance in leadership, noting that addressing all demands is nearly impossible. Karthik suggests creating spaces for connection during times of outrage and establishing pre-arranged workgroups to facilitate problem-solving. He shares insights from successful peace-building initiatives, highlighting the need for empathy, humility, and effective team guidelines.

David De Cremer, the Dunton Family Dean at Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business, delves into how AI can enhance, not replace, human roles in leadership. He discusses the unique challenges leaders face with AI's rapid evolution and emphasizes the importance of understanding its fundamentals to communicate effectively with tech teams. De Cremer advocates for viewing AI as a creative partner rather than just a cost-saving tool, urging leaders to foster a culture of trust and innovation as they navigate this technological shift.

Keith Ferrazzi, an entrepreneur and thought leader in high-performing teams, shares transformative insights on peer coaching and accountability. He argues that great leaders foster an environment where teams coach each other, enhancing feedback processes. The discussion highlights innovative practices like Elf Beauty's unique onboarding and the 5/5/5 Learning Roadmap for structured peer dialogue. Ferrazzi emphasizes promoting a culture of celebration and personal growth, reshaping how teams interact and thrive together.

In this conversation, Charles Feltman, founder of Insight Coaching and author of 'The Thin Book of Trust,' shares insights from his 25 years of coaching leaders. He discusses the importance of preparing for conversations with those we distrust, introducing a seven-step framework to enhance dialogue. Topics include the four domains of trust: care, sincerity, reliability, and competence. Charles emphasizes self-reflection and specific behaviors that can impact trust, ultimately guiding listeners on how to foster better communication even in challenging situations.

Stephen M. R. Covey, a bestselling author and former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, shares transformative insights on modern leadership. He critiques the outdated command and control mindset still prevalent in organizations. Covey emphasizes the shift to a 'Trust & Inspire' approach, where leaders focus on unleashing individual greatness rather than controlling it. He highlights the importance of caring for the whole person and fostering internal inspiration to create a thriving organizational culture, ultimately advocating for collaboration over competition.

Shandy Welch, an executive leadership coach renowned for humanizing leadership, joins the discussion to tackle the challenges of speaking with intimidating figures. She highlights that nervousness is a sign you care and reframes it as excitement. Preparation is crucial; knowing your material allows for seamless improvisation. Emphasizing empathy, Shandy urges listeners to acknowledge the humanity in interactions and to view conversations as opportunities to help others. Overall, she inspires confidence in overcoming intimidation and fostering genuine connections.