Bold Leadership podcast

Bold Leaders build bridges. Unfortunately it seems as if today's leaders have forgotten this one simple fact. We have lined up, picked sides and left no room for compromise.

This episode covers the importance of building bridges, finding ways to yes and growing your network to be known as an American vs. an American't. It is easy to always say no, but your biggest successes will come when you find a way to say yes.

Become a bridge builder and lead your organization to greatness.

Be Bold
Dave

The challenge with hiring 5 Star Recruits comes with their expectations. I mean they graduated from a top university and are extremely talented, but are they willing to put in the work. Do they expect a free ride or exponentially more responsibility than their peers based on their rating.

Are they going to own their mistakes or are they going to blame their peers? During today's episode we discuss the challenges with hiring 5 Star Recruits and how to ensure you make good hiring decisions.

Be Bold
Dave

Today we discuss the foundation of any successful business and the map for success.  Mission, Vision and Goals do matter.  It you think they don't then you do not have a clear path to success.

The vision statement defines where you want your company to go and who you want your company to be.  You need to dream big and reach for the impossible to see stratospheric success.

Your mission statement tells other people what you do.  Our mission is to make your life better.  We do this by giving you the tools to successful both at work and at home because we know that if you are not happy at home you cannot perform your best at work.

Finally, goals serve as your finish lines along the path.  You should establish SMART goals in each division which support your mission, drive the team towards the vision and are review at least monthly.

Embrace the idea that vision, mission and goals are vital to your success.  

 

Be Bold

Dave

Have you ever watched the movie "Karate Kid"? Mr. Miyagi makes his young student do seemingly meaningless task to develop his karate skills.  Great leaders do the same thing. The military is notorious for making its newest members complete a series of meaningless tasks to build a sense of purpose and belonging.  These tasks provide the foundation for the organizational culture.  

Today, Phil and I will discuss the relevance of meaningless tasks.  How to make things relevant for your team and introduce the 12 week year. 

When you plan for success, establish a timeline and execute its amazing what you can accomplish.

Be Bold

Dave

Today we introduce our new partner, Phil Nichols and get his insights on leadership. Phil is a natural change-agent who has reshaped, restructured and revitalized numerous organizations. A firm believer in the quote by Anthony Robbins, "If you do what your've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten."

He is a fellow veteran and brings significant insight and expertise to the show.

Check us out at www.exsin.co

As some of you already know I am Dave Evans, better known as Snapper by my fellow airmen.  I served for over 23 years in the United States Air Force and now I help companies solve complex problems by using the lessons learned during my time following and leading in the world’s greatest Air Force

 

Memorial Day is a time to reflect and remember.  Over 6,600 sailors, soldiers, marines and airmen have paid the ultimate price to ensure your freedom over the last 16 years.   

In my opinion, Americans have lost sight of their role in our nation and frankly the media is primarily to blame.  We cast stones at people who do not share the same opinion as we do. Many feel that it is their god given right to criticize and complain while offering no solution.  They do not take the time to listen to other people's opinion, have an honest debate and determine for themselves how to proceed.  This goes against the very fabric of our great nation.  The media continually labels american citizens as racists, bigots and greedy bastards who care for nothing other than themselves.  This is just not true.  Our nation is filled with hundreds of thousands of great americans who are willing to sacrifice their life for your freedom.  I want you to take this weekend, look in the mirror and become part of the solution.

Our service members make little to no money, they write a check that when cashed cost them their lives.  They do it because they believe in the values and foundation defined by our forefathers.  They believe in the mission and know that their fellow service men and women share the same beliefs.  They are taught from day one to find solutions for problems.  These men and women are the greatest innovators in the world.  

It is time to take a stand.  It is time to start acting like Americans.  You need to look in the mirror and see if you are part of the problem or part of the solution.  Our brothers and sisters who gave their life for our freedom expect more of us.  Stop buying into the negative news.  Stop jumping on the bandwagon with little to no facts and stop acting as judge and jury without first understanding other people’s perspective.  None of us are as smart as we think we are.  

I went to one of my favorite commander’s retirement ceremony last week and he reminded us all of how precious life is.  He also shared a very important lesson that he learned while at pilot training some 27 years ago.  Heinous followed this lesson his entire career.  During preflight for his first T-38 mission he watched as one of his classmates crashed at the end of the runway.  The plane exploded and both crewmembers were killed.  His instructor calmly looked at him said take a look at what just happened, paused and then told Heinous to get back to his preflight.  Many would be offended by the actions of this instructor, but the reality is that bad things happen and we are expected to complete the job at hand.  This is an extremely valuable leadership lesson.  I mean how many times has something bad happened at work and you have shut down or more likely you faced a challenge, threw your hands in the air and said this challenge can’t be overcome?  I am certain that this happens more than you would like to admit.    Lesson #1 Don’t just identify problems, offer solutions.

As we are eating our favorite bar-b-que, hanging out by the pool and sharing a cold beer with friends this weekend thousands will be away from their families.  They are living in tents, bunkers and countries filled with people trying to kill them.  You are living in one of the safest places on earth.  You don’t speak to your neighbors and don’t cherish how fortunate you are.   I

You only have two choices in life, Innovate or die.  Many companies have learned this fatal lesson over the years and became extinct.  Do you remember MySpace, Blockbuster or Circuit City?  They failed to innovate and were swallowed up by the competition.

 

Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, say it best.  Doing more with less is a crucial principle to learn; especially if you are going to be in business in this rapidly changing world.”

Bold leaders understand the importance of innovation.  Are you the person that gets excited about change?  Or are you the person who is satisfied with the status quo?  If you are the latter, you will soon become extinct.

 

Today we are going to look at one of the world’s most innovative companies.  Discuss their 8 pillars of innovation and discuss how you can use this information to transform your organization.

In March of 1992 I was 2 months away from completing the most rigorous education and training program in the world.  I was about to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy.  I had dreamed my entire life about becoming an Air Force Pilot.  But unbeknownst to us the Air Force had different plans.  The Chief of Staff announced that over 60% of our class would be deferred and may have the opportunity to complete pilot training at a later date.  My dreams were crushed.  Emotions ran high and I really wondered why I had wasted the last 4 years of my life.  It was awful.  Little did I know how much this decision by the Air Force would positively affect my life.   As a brand new 2nd Lt I learned the importance of embracing change.  Eventually, I attended pilot training and spent 17 years of my life flying mission all over the globe.  The lessons I learned early in my career afforded me the opportunity to command 3 squadrons and reach my goals.  

 

Being innovative means that you are quickly able to adapt and change with the environment.  No company on earth understands this better than Google.  Let’s discuss Google’s 8 Pillars of Innovation and how you can change your company to compete like never before.

1. Have a mission that matters
2. 1. Work can be more than a job when it stands for something you care about.  People are more inspired and work harder when they follow a mission or a cause as opposed to an individual.  If people don’t believe in the mission, they work for a paycheck.  I can tell you from experience that this does not benefit your company.   Think about our young soldiers that put there life on the line everyday.  Most of them make less than $30,000 per year.  They step in front of bullets, jump on grenades to defend your freedom.  They don’t do it for the person in charge, they do it because the believe in the mission.
   1. No matter how ambitious the plan, you have to roll up your sleeves and start somewhere.  Have you ever heard the phrase how do you eat an elephant… one bite at a time.  Huge dreams and goals seem impossible at first.  You feel overwhelmed and many times don’t know where to start.  The challenge is to just start.  Once you take that first step and see progress it will motivate you to keep moving.  The journey will be amazing.  You will learn many lessons along the way.  The path may change.  Just don’t stop.  Keep mo

In this episode we are going to discuss some revelations from Zed Zidaric and Gwen Moran about what it means to be a good follower and the impact it has when you become the leader.

He who has learned how to obey will know how to command.

- Solon, Athenian statesman (570 BC)

He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.

― Aristotle, Greek philosopher (340 BC)

 

Great followers are future leaders.  Zeljko 'Zed' Zidaric describes best what we really should be following and how we should lead

Rather than being a follower of the leader we follow the cause (vision).

He asks one simple question  What is the purpose of the team?  

1.    The team exists to solve a problem (purpose, vision, mission).  
2.    The problem belongs to a group of stakeholders (this is the big step).
3.    The team, including the leader, serves the stakeholders.
4.    The team members are probably also stakeholders

Following a leader without a vision for the future is much like leaving port without a destination.  

The ultimate question is what do you learn as a good follower to become a great teammate and leader?

Barbara Kellerman a leadership lecturer at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government author of Followership: How Followers are Creating Change and Changing Leaders, says that significant shifts in technology and culture have changed that dynamic, giving followers more power. And there’s a lot you can learn about being a good leader by learning to be a good follower.

1. Awareness
2. Diplomacy
3. Courage
4. Collaboration
5. Critical Thinking

AWARENESS.

Today, leaders need to be aware of various audiences including colleagues, coworkers, customers, board members, and the public at large. As a leader, you need to be aware of what it takes to “bring them along.”

Being a follower teaches you how to be aware of the needs of other people as well as their potential to “make my life hell from one second to the next,” she says. Good followers learn to read people and understand what upsets and motivates them.

DIPLOMACY.

When good followers encounter a co-worker with rabid political beliefs or a disagreeable manager, they’re probably not going to fight every battle, Kellerman says. Playing the part of the follower is easier, simpler, and often less risky.

Good followers learn how to get along with those who have differences while not ignoring those differences. That’s an important leadership trait, too, because a leader or manager can’t afford to be oblivious to the attitude

We all struggle with communication.  Is it ok to text, send an email, use social media etc.  Unfortunately, we are losing focus on the best way to communicate...person to person.  In this episode we will discuss the difference between sending information and actually communicating.

I want you to think about how you do business.  Are you building relationships?  Do you read emotion in a text or email?  Do you understand how to properly communicate?  I bet you don’t.

This is a great discussion on how communication is changing and the impact on business relationships.

 

Warning: Only Bold Leaders address the problems to prevent a crash...Trust me!  The investigation typically reveals known organizational problems that were never addressed.  Today we will be discussing the top 3 challenges and how to prevent the crash:  Communication Failure, Process Failure, and a Failing Organizational Culture

Everyone needs to understand their role in preventing failure.  They must be willing to say what no one else wants to here.  They must address and fix process failures and leaders must develop a culture that allows for these actions.

 If you cannot effectively listen to opposing views and identify your organization’s weaknesses, you are destined to fail!  Just look at congress….

Everyone in the organization knew that he broke the rules, but nobody was willing to tell the boss because he was so experienced and respected.

I honestly don’t know how many times I heard this phrase over a 10 year period as a crash investigator, as a commander and as a consultant for numerous companies I don’t know how many times I have walked into the President or CEO’s office and heard the same words uttered about challenges the organization faced.

I think it’s important that we put this into context.  In 2001, I received a call that forever changed how I thought of organizational leadership and the unwillingness to address known challenges.  A helicopter had just crashed in a river with 4 souls on board.  Fortunately, they all survived.  The crash was preventable.  I quickly packed my bags and headed to the crash site.  We assembled the investigation team and began our work.  In every crash investigation we first eliminate all potential mechanical issues to ensure there is not system problem that will endanger others flying similar aircraft.  Part of this process is to interview everyone associated with the flight.  The interviews revealed 3 very specific organizational problems which contributed to the crash.  Problems with the crew were communicated, but not addressed.  Known processes were not followed by the organization and the organizational culture allowed for the problems to exist.

The challenge for leaders is to understand that their organization may have similar problems.  In many cases the leaders themselves are the problem.  I think the most epic failure of all times is Enron.  Leaders lied, cooked the books and violated the law.  The failure of Enron drove numerous changes in the way companies account and operate.  It was preventable.  

NPR best tells the story of ENRON’s epic collapse.  Throughout the late 1990s, Enron was almost universally considered one of the country's most innovative companies -- a new-economy maverick that forsook musty, old industries with their cumbersome hard assets in favor of the freewheeling world of e-commerce. The company continued to build power plants and operate gas lines, but it became better known for its unique trading businesses. Besides buying and selling gas and electricity futures, it created whole new markets for such oddball "commodities" as broadcast time for advertisers, weather futures, and Internet bandwidth.

The Enron story was perfect for the dotcom-driven stock market boom of the '90s. With its roots in the utility business, the company enjoyed a solid reputation for old-economy stability. But unlike other energy companies that didn't "get it," Enron thrust itself headlong onto the Internet. The business press ate it up; so did Wall Street, sending the stock into the stratosphere. At its peak, Enron was worth about $70 billion, its shares trading for about $90 each.

All that came crashing down starting last October, when the company admitted that it had misstated its income and that its equity value was a couple of billion dollars less than its balance sheet said.

The company, it was revealed, had made about a dozen "partnerships" with compa