Leading Outward

What was it all for? You've shared the vision, trained the team, and gave them everything they needed to succeed.And they still aren't following through.In part two of this raw coaching series, Daniel—a high school principal—continues to wrestle with this leadership challenge. What starts as a reflection on stalled execution becomes a deep reckoning with busyness, control, and the fear of leading in a way that might cost you your people. If you’ve ever felt the weight of being ultimately responsible for the outcomes and still coming up short then this episode is for you.Ideas we explore: 01:20 — Why your team might be slow to act 06:10 — What gets lost when you rush connection 10:40 — How busyness is shaping the way you lead 14:00 — The fear of being truly seen 18:00 — What it actually takes to change a leadership habit Have a leadership challenge or question you’d like us to explore on the show? Submit it here!  Need help developing your leaders or organization? Schedule a complimentary strategy session. 

Do your high standards stifle your team's growth? A school principal dives deep into the tension between leadership and control, revealing how his quest for excellence can sometimes hold back his team. The conversation reveals the subtle strains on relationships caused by micromanagement and the struggle of balancing responsibility with effective delegation. Self-awareness emerges as a theme, highlighting how personal insecurities can cloud decision-making. This candid discussion invites listeners to reconsider their own leadership styles.

In this discussion, Daren Forbes, a seasoned funeral director with nearly 40 years of experience, shares insights alongside Dr. Steve Jackson, a dedicated physician. They dive into the emotional toll of caregiving, discussing how to combat feelings of exhaustion and resentment. Forbes recounts transformative stories that reveal the power of empathy and connection when serving grieving families. They stress the importance of fostering an outward mindset, reducing burnout through team support, and unlocking creativity even in the toughest times.

This discussion dives into the struggles of letting loved ones make their own choices, even when you worry they're off track. It reveals how idealized expectations can sabotage relationships and emphasizes that true love isn't self-serving. The conversation also highlights the cost of needing to be right, which hinders connection. Through the lens of family dynamics, it showcases the courage needed to truly see and acknowledge others, forging stronger relationships by embracing empathy and understanding.

Is your desire to be helpful actually hindering your team's growth? An engaging coaching session reveals how stepping in can signal a lack of trust and create bottlenecks. Leaders often find comfort in solving problems but risk stunting their team's independence. Tough feedback is essential for growth, and the expectancy effect shows leadership beliefs can significantly boost performance. Ultimately, true empowerment lies in fostering self-sufficiency and creating a culture of accountability.

Carey Jones, a former Flying Training Wing Vice Commander and retired fighter pilot, joins the conversation on leadership and precision. He shares insights on creating teams that act decisively without waiting for directives and the challenge of maintaining high performance in uncertain conditions. The discussion explores balancing clarity with ambiguity and the importance of effective feedback loops. Carey emphasizes the necessity of empowering teams to understand the 'why' behind their actions, ensuring alignment and adaptability in organizational strategies.

Naomi Franchetti, a retired U.S. Air Force commander, shares her insights on leading with authenticity and connection. She discusses the tension between authority and empathy, highlighting how real engagement can transform team dynamics. Naomi explores the challenges of accountability in high-pressure environments, particularly in military culture. She emphasizes the role of vulnerability in fostering trust and enhancing organizational culture. Listen in to discover how embracing humanity can elevate leadership and motivate teams to rise to challenges willingly.

Chip Huth, an Arbinger coach, helps Jeremy, a senior leader with a rich military background, tackle the complexities of leading a new team. They discuss feelings of inadequacy and the struggle for credibility, emphasizing the power of curiosity and humility in leadership. Chip highlights the importance of accountability and how self-doubt can hinder personal growth. Their candid conversation uncovers how past communication mistakes can be transformed into opportunities for building trust, ultimately leading to stronger team dynamics.

Gary Peterson, Executive Vice President at OC Tanner, transforms toxic workplace culture into a thriving environment. He discusses overcoming employee fear and fostering open communication. The podcast highlights the vital shift from control-focused leadership to empowerment, emphasizing personal connections and regular check-ins. Peterson shares the power of vulnerability in leadership, revealing how admitting mistakes can lead to stronger team dynamics. He also illustrates how setbacks can spark cultural momentum and enhance collaboration, fueling innovation and engagement.

When was the last time a leader told you the truth—not the cleaned-up truth—the raw, chaotic, messy truth of their biggest leadership failures? Exactly. Most leadership podcasts stay safe. Leading Outward by The Arbinger Institute is not that show. We coach leaders in real time to tackle their messiest issues—culture breakdowns, accountability failures, conflict and blame, and team dysfunction. We also bring you behind the scenes with executives and leaders of all varieties to break down how they are solving the their most pressing challenges. If you're ready to stop managing symptoms and start solving root problems, this is your show. It's time to start leading outward!