Are You A MULTIPLIER or DEMINISHER Leader?

The past few months, I have launched a new series called “Leadership Exposed” on our podcast. This idea was born as Steve Scherer and I were thinking about new ways to connect with our listeners. We asked ourselves.... What are leaders needing to grow? How can I help them? What do I wish I knew when I started out as a leader? Then it hit me, leaders need to hear the truth on where I have failed so they can be better than me.   At IOL, we believe more is learned from failures than successes.   This is a twenty-minute series because you are too busy to hear me speak for an hour.   We have launched 3 episodes (today is the release of #3) where I share real stories to learn about my mistakes as a leader so you can learn.   Most people don’t want to share where they messed up because there is a fear that others will realize we aren’t perfect. We believe at The Impact of Leadership that we want to focus on the real issues not the fluffy stuff.   Here is a recap of lessons learned in the first three episodes:   Episode 1: Into to this series & hiring the wrong people.  *Click on the link to hear the episode.  Don’t ignore your gut when something feels off in the interview. Ask key questions and get clarity when you feel confusion with the answers given. Check their references (warning: no managers listed is a RED FLAG) to understand how to coach them well. Confirm they fit your company’s core values – create your own if you don’t have. Walk away if they are the wrong fit – it’s better to walk away if there is doubt.   Episode 2:  Are you a BSer?! *Click on the link to hear the episode.  Take time to ask follow up questions and compare the answers you are getting to confirm accuracy. Keep asking questions! It’s okay for a leader to be honest and say “I don’t know” to employees’ questions vs. making up something. Don’t overpromise and under deliver. Ask employees, not managers, how they are doing to hear their direct heart. Keep your commitments and define boundaries as a leader. Take action!   Episode 3: The difference between being a good boss vs. a great boss. *Click on the link to hear the episode.  A great boss… Bring accountability to your team. Give clear and specific directions with deadlines to your team. Be intentional, decisive and proactive. You cannot be a people pleaser. Ask “WHY” questions and listen well. Is passionate not emotional that is all over the place. Has integrity, vision, humility, creativity, emotional intelligence, etc. – lead in front.   No one is perfect so let’s be real on where we fail and how we have grown from our mistakes.   Nothing changes, if nothing changes.   You are not alone, we want to engage with you.   Reach out to me directly Patrick.booth@impactofleadership.com if I can be of any help.   *JOIN CCB TECHNOLOGY FOR A LIVE IT SECURITY EVENT ON MARCH 19TH* https://ccbtechnology.com/security-summit/ Register HERE Use discount code: Save50 – This will give you a $50 discount at registration.

How do you respond when someone disagrees with you? We all have different personalities, so responses can vary from each other. My team and I have been taught in the past year the importance of having healthy conflict with each other. Why? How? That is what I thought when we started our training but by the end, I realized the need is critical for trust to be strengthen as the foundation of your team.   What is healthy conflict? It is the ability to share a difference in opinion respectively on a topic.   Why does healthy conflict matter? Through healthy conflict, a team can feel comfortable to disagree with each other. They can discuss pros/cons of a topic before they conclude with an agreed decision.   Unhealthy Responses Become overly dramatic Gossips Ignores the disagreement Caves to avoid tension Overpowers with logic and facts Becomes passive aggressive Digs heels in even further Looks to even the score Overpowers & gets loud   Healthy Responses Expresses feelings Shows empathy Listens to other’s perspectives Encourages a calm discussion & demeanor Focuses on logic & objectivity Sticks up for own rights Speaks up about problems Addresses the issues head on   What are five benefits of healthy conflict? Commitment Trust Better problem solving Improved productivity Personal growth   How does healthy conflict lead to commitment? After discussing the pros/cons of an idea it will create a unified decision that all can support. When people feel heard they are more willing to meet someone in the middle.   How does healthy conflict lead to trust? You must create a place where team members feel safe and can express their thoughts, feelings, etc. By creating this safe place, it will help your team members feel trust & respect by being heard. Everyone wants to feel valued especially during conflict.   How does healthy conflict lead to better problem solving? It allows all parties to focus on finding the solution by listening, sharing, researching, creative brainstorming, analyzing information and patience.    How does healthy conflict lead to improved productivity? It allows people to speak their heart in a non-judgmental environment. This can build confidence in those that tend to let others lead. Encouraging new ideas to be shared will bring an environment of learning. It can create empowerment and confidence in your team.   How does healthy conflict lead to personal growth? It allows people to be aware of how to control their emotions and be a good communicator. It allows you learn how to attack the problem not the person that is disagreeing with you. You learn to focus on finding a solution that works for both sides.   Conclusion... Creating a healthy conflict environment will strengthen your team’s trust with each other while producing better results because of it.   ********* FINAL WEEK ******** *JOIN US FOR A LIVE EVENT THIS THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 9TH* Resilient Leadership: Leadership in Uncharted Territory With guest speaker Tod Bolsinger! Register HERE Use discount code: MEMBER23 for 15% off registration