Coaching for Leaders

Laure Arron: Who Has Your Back?

Laurie Arron is the founder of Arron Coaching, LLC and trusted adviser and executive coach to C-suite executives and Chiefs of Staff. She spent 30+ years climbing the corporate ladder at a Fortune 10 company in sales leadership, strategic planning, business transformation, and Chief of Staff roles. She is the author of Who Has Your Back?: A Leaders's Guide to Getting the Support You Need from the Chief of Staff You Deserve.

Executive leaders need both truth-tellers and those who can manage on their behalf. Increasingly, the Chief of Staff role is becoming more prominent. In this episode, Laurie and I discuss their role, where they add value, and how they benefit the entire team.

Key Points

The Chief of Staff role has become a more prevalent executive role, especially in the technology, finance, and healthcare industries.

A Chief of Staff is distinct from an executive assistant. A effective Chief represents the leader, manages on their behalf, and coordinates their work.

Every top leader needs a truth teller. A key role of the Chief of Staff is to be up-front with the person they serve.

An effective Chief is proactive in addressing issues before the leader ever knows about them. They know where messages are being lost or diluted.

Ideally, the Chief of Staff helps create a climate of free expression throughout the team.

Resources Mentioned

Who Has Your Back?: A Leaders's Guide to Getting the Support You Need from the Chief of Staff You Deserve by Laurie Arron

Let Bartlet Be Bartlet from The West Wing

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Help People Speak Truth to Power, with Megan Reitz (episode 597)

How to Start Better With Peers, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 635)

How to Start a Top Job, with Ty Wiggins (episode 685)

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Ty Wiggins: The New CEO

Ty Wiggins is a leadership expert who is passionate about setting up new CEOs for success. As the global lead of Russell Reynolds Associates’ CEO & Executive Transition Practice, he helps world-leading CEOs successfully transition into their roles, guiding them through their first 12-18 months as their trusted advisor. He is the author of The New CEO: Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes)*.

Taking on a top job is unique in many ways. In this conversation, Ty and I explore what new, top leaders can do to get out of the bubble and hear more truth. Plus, we discuss why the first 90 or 100 days might not be the best metric for top leaders, and how to better start with easy wins and early moves.

Key Points

You’ll see more in the top job, but hear less. This is even more pronounced for those promoted internally.

Getting out of the bubble means spending more time with middle managers and front-line employees. Second and third time CEOs do this more from the start.

Key questions that can help you hear more: (1) Tell me some of the workarounds you have in place and (2) What's the question I haven't asked you but I should?

The first 90 or 100 days as a success metric is often overstated in top jobs. You’re often still learning context at an exponential rate.

If it’s on fire, fix it. If it is smold­ering, leave it alone until you have more context.

It’s helpful to address common pain points for easy wins. They don't have to be enormous, but they should be deliberate.

Resources Mentioned

The New CEO: Lessons from CEOs on How to Start Well and Perform Quickly (Minus the Common Mistakes)* by Ty Wiggins

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Genuinely Show Up for Others, with Marshall Goldsmith (episode 590)

How to Start a Big Leadership Role, with Carol Kauffman (episode 617)

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Ruth Gotian: The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by Nature and The Wall Street Journal as an expert in mentorship and leader­ship development. Thinkers50 has ranked her the #1 emerging management thinker in the world and she's a top LinkedIn voice in mentoring. Ruth is the author of The Success Factor and now along with Andy Lopata, The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring*.

We’ve all heard about the benefits of mentoring. In addition to receiving mentoring, great leaders give back by providing it to others. In this episode, Ruth and I discuss what the research shows that the best mentors do well.

Key Points

Effective mentors use a combination of skills in coaching, sponsorship, role-modeling, and mentoring to support the situation.

Informal mentoring tends to be more effective than formal pairings. 61% of mentoring relationships develop organically.

Open up your network to your mentee. It’s an essential way to support their growth — and yours.

Park your ego at the door. Instead, allow your mentee to shine. With their permission, amplify their achievements.

Take the role of “sophisticated barbarian.” Approach mentee situations with knowledge and experience, but with distance and objectivity of their other, daily interactions.

Document the challenges, accomplishments, and next steps during mentoring. This helps your mentee recognize accomplishments and grow their confidence.

Resources Mentioned

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring by Ruth Gotian and Andy Lopata

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Build a Network While Still Doing Everything Else, with Ruth Gotian (episode 591)

The Art of Mentoring Well, with Robert Lefkowitz (episode 599)

The Way to Get Noticed by Key Stakeholders, with Daphne E. Jones (episode 614)

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David Novak: How Leaders Learn

David Novak is Co-Founder and the retired Chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company. During his tenure as CEO, Yum! Brands became a global powerhouse, growing from $4 billion in market cap to over $32 billion. After retiring in 2016, he became Founder and CEO of David Novak Leadership, dedicated to developing leaders at every stage of life. He is the author of How Leaders Learn: Master the Habits of the World's Most Successful People.

One element of powerful leadership is bringing different people and ideas together to create something entirely new. In this conversation, David and I discuss how leaders can use pattern thinking to create new value. Plus, we explore why active learning is so critical for successful leadership.

Key Points

Pattern thinking is 1+1 = 3. Create something bigger than its parts by pairing things not related to make something new.

Be curious about the world by being an active learner. Use books, travel, listening, and hobbies to come across insights you wouldn’t normally see.

Active learners seek out patterns proactively in order to create something new.

Questions to ask yourself:

The last time you came up with an especially creative idea or solution, what was your inspiration? What pattern were you applying and where had you discovered it?

How much time do you spend exploring outside your usual work and life experiences? Where are you getting exposure to different disciplines or industries?

Think of a challenge you’re facing or a problem you’ve been struggling to solve? Have you looked for patterns or ideas from unusual sources yet? If not, where could you turn next?

Resources Mentioned

How Leaders Learn: Master the Habits of the World's Most Successful People by David Novak

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Solve the Toughest Problems, with Wendy Smith (episode 612)

Better Ways to Lead Brainstorming, with Jeremy Utley (episode 630)

Doing Better Than Zero Sum-Thinking, with Renée Mauborgne (episode 641)

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Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed

Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide.

Question from Qasim

Qasim asked our thoughts on how to break the busy cycle and actually get started with something important.

Aruj wondered how to handle a tricky situation where colleagues are gossiping lots in the office.

Alice has three great opportunities in front of her was curious our advice on how to decide between them.

Resources Mentioned

How to Decide by Annie Duke

Related Episodes

How to Start a Conversation With Anyone, with Mark Sieverkropp (episode 177)

How to Deal with Opponents and Adversaries, with Peter Block (episode 328)

The Way to Make Better Decisions, with Annie Duke (episode 499)

The Power of Unlearning Silence, with Elaine Lin Hering (episode 678)

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Matt Abrahams: Think Faster, Talk Smarter

Matt Abrahams is an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. He is a lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and a keynote speaker and communication consultant for Fortune 100 companies. He is the host of the popular podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart and the author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot*.

One of the most common places leaders get put on the spot is when facilitating a question and answer session. In this episode, Matt and I discuss the mindset, preparation, and steps that will help you answer questions with confidence and increase credibility with your audience.

Key Points

Many presenters think about a Q&A session like playing dodgeball. It’s more helpful to frame it as dialogue.

Answering questions well allows you to project authenticity, expand on key points, and resolve objections.

Use the ADD framework to respond to a question. A: answer the question, D: detail an example, and D: describe the value. If helpful, adjust the order.

Set boundaries for the kinds of questions you’ll answer and the timeframe for them. The audience expects you to lead the conversation.

Ask yourself a question if nobody else asks one first. This might start with, “A question I’m commonly asked…”

End with an exclamation point. Sticking the landing provides you confidence and shows credibility to your audience.

Resources Mentioned

Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot* by Matt Abrahams

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

The Way to Influence Executives, with Nancy Duarte (episode 450)

How to Rehearse Before a Presentation, with Jacqueline Farrington (episode 645)

That’s a Great Question (Dave’s Journal)

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Michael Bungay Stanier: The Coaching Habit

Michael Bungay Stanier is the author of eight books, including The Coaching Habit*, which has sold more than a million copies and is the best-selling book on coaching this century. He is the founder Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that’s trained thousands of people around the world to be more coach-like. His TEDx Talk on Taming Your Advice Monster has been viewed more than a million times.

One of the most common desires leaders espouse is wanting to get better at helping others grow. One great way to do that is to become more coach-like. In this conversation, Michael and I explore how we can do better at building this skill.

Key Points

Care deeply for others while also being disconnected from their outcomes. Give people responsibility for their own freedom.

Consider asking, “How much risk are you willing to take?” Allow the other party to define the boundaries.

Bring a difficult observation as a third point. Separate the message from the person and let them decide what’s true.

Avoid asking “why” questions of others to avoid putting people on the defensive and trying to solve their problems.

A helpful checkpoint: is this question something that’s helping me or helping the other party?

Silence is a measure of success. When you ask a question that lands, people need time to answer.

Your body leads your brain. Notice your physical presence and how it manifests when you’re listening well.

Resources Mentioned

The Coaching Habit* by Michael Bungay Stanier

Register your book receipt for bonus items from Michael

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

These Coaching Questions Get Results, with Michael Bungay Stanier (episode 237)

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How to Help Others Be Seen and Heard, with Scott Shigeoka (episode 654)

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Jeff Wetzler: Ask

Jeff Wetzler is co-CEO of Transcend, a nationally recognized innovation organization, and an expert in learning and human potential. His experience spans 25+ years in business and education, as a management consultant to top corporations, a learning facilitator for leaders, and as Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America.

He is a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and is an Edmund Hillary Fellow. Jeff is the author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life*.

Leaders are not the only people who need to have difficult conversations in the workplace. Yet, leaders set the tone for how much people are willing and able to talk about hard things. In this episode, Jeff and I discuss how leaders can make it easier for those important conversations to happen.

Key Points

In one study of managers, most people admitted to remaining silent with their bosses and nearly 75% said colleagues also felt uncomfortable speaking up.

Meet people on their own turf. Others are more likely to speak up if they are in a setting that’s more comfortable for them.

Leaders should consider shifting timing and/or medium to one that’s of the preference for the person who doesn’t have power.

Explain why you’re asking about a topic and your intention for a conversation at the start. Providing context prevents people from having to guess at your agenda.

Set a mutual agenda for a conversation by asking a question like, “In addition to this, what else should be part of our conversation today?”

Establish a tone for open communication by radiating resilience. Words like these might help: “If I were in your shoes, I might be feeling frustrated or even resentful. If that’s how you’re feeling, I would understand completely. Please don’t hold back.”

Resources Mentioned

Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life* by Jeff Wetzler

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Ask Better Questions, with David Marquet (episode 454)

The Way Out of Major Conflict, with Amanda Ripley (episode 529)

How to Grow From Your Errors, with Amy Edmondson (episode 663)

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Elaine Lin Hering: Unlearning Silence

Elaine Lin Hering is a facilitator, speaker, and writer who helps people build skills in communication, collaboration, and conflict management. She is a former Managing Partner of Triad Consulting Group and Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, specializing in dispute resolution, mediation, and negotiation. She is the author of Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Your Talent, and Live More Fully.

Those of us who have struggled to speak up have been told, “Just be more confident,” or, “Say this to get started.” As Elaine and I discuss in this conversation, there’s a larger context at play…and great power for both leaders and the people they lead, in unlearning silence.

Key Points

Start with why. For change to actually happen, find something that matters more than the old behavior.

What seems obvious to us isn’t always obvious to others. Connecting the dots for others demonstrates the meaning you’re making.

Beginning a thought with, “From where I sit…” provides an entry point for what you need to say while also acknowledging different perspectives from others.

Most people want to be helpful, but don’t always know how. Tell them how they can be helpful in the moment.

Resistance is part of the process of influencing others. While it doesn’t feel good in the moment, it’s often the catalyst for creating movement.

Resources Mentioned

Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Your Talent, and Live More Fully* by Elaine Lin Hering

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Speak Up, with Connson Locke (episode 546)

End Imposter Syndrome in Your Organization, with Jodi-Ann Burey (episode 556)

The Mindset Leaders Need to Address Burnout, with Christina Maslach (episode 608)

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Sohee Jun: The Aligned Mindset

Sohee Jun is a leadership coach for female executives, leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs. She is also a TEDx speaker, Forbes Coaches Council member, keynote speaker, leadership development expert, and author. With over twenty years in the corporate world, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies, including those in the entertainment, production, and media sectors such as Netflix, Fox, and Disney.

In 2020, Sohee released her first book, Mommytracked: How to Take Authentic Risks and Find Success on Your Terms, with the goal of helping ambitious women tap into their inner core throughout the different phases of their lives. She's now the author of a second book, The Aligned Mindset: Secrets of High-Achieving Women for Navigating Work and Life*.

In a world where still too few women are represented in senior leadership roles, many of us want to do whatever we can to support high-achieving women. In this conversation, Sohee and I explore what her research and experience indicates that leaders can do to better support women in their careers.

Key Points

Leaders can support both women and men by framing the larger “why” or North Star. Providing context helps a point of focus to emerge.

Do it afraid. Provide support to work through fearful situations with success.

When supporting women in building confidence, help them recognize what they’ve already achieved.

Normalize the discussion about financial literacy. Opening the door to dialogue around salary negotiation helps equalize the salary gap.

One question can set the tone for better work and life integration. Leaders can proactively ask about boundaries.

Resources Mentioned

The Aligned Mindset: Secrets of High-Achieving Women for Navigating Work and Life* by Sohee Jun

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

How to Prioritize, with Christy Wright (episode 545)

How to Protect Your Confidence, with Nate Zinsser (episode 573)

The Path Towards Your Next Promotion, with Adam Bryant (episode 653)

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