The Connected Leadership Podcast

Is Command & Control Finally Dead? with Myles Downey

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The age of the top-down, "do as I say" leader is obsolete. We all know it, yet many organisations are still clinging to the old command and control model. Why? Because most leaders are terrified of what comes next. The fear of relinquishing control is real, and a vague "coaching culture" isn't a strong enough replacement.

In this powerful episode from the archive, Andy Lopata is joined by globally recognised leadership coach and author of The Enabling Manager, Myles Downey. Myles argues that the solution isn't to abandon control, but to transform it.

He unveils his practical and humane "Align and Enable" framework—a model that replaces outdated authority with a dynamic balance of "Will" (clarity, accountability) and "Love" (trust, nurturing). Discover how to lead, manage, and coach effectively to unlock true team engagement and high performance. This is the practical blueprint for the future of leadership you've been waiting for.

In this episode you will learn

  1. Why is simply creating a "coaching culture" a dangerous trap that leaves many managers feeling fearful and ineffective?
  2. What can leaders learn from the US military's "mission command" about empowering teams to make decisions without losing control?
  3. How can balancing the two essential human drives of "Love" (enabling) and "Will (accountability) transform you from a boss into a true leader?
  4. What are the three simple pillars—the Why, What, and How—that create true team alignment and unlock extraordinary performance?
  5. How are Millennials and Gen Z forcing a leadership revolution, and what happens to the leaders who refuse to adapt?

    6. 3 Actionable Insights

    1. Adopt the Lead, Manage, Coach Framework: Understand that your role is multifaceted.
    2. Build a Trust-Based Relationship First: The "Align and Enable" model only works on a foundation of trust. Before you can effectively lead, manage, or coach, you must invest time in understanding your team members. This trust is what gives you the permission to switch between the different modes of leadership.
    3. Don't Just Delegate Tasks, Communicate the Mission: Ensure every team member understands the overarching business objective and exactly how their role contributes to it.

      SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

      Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

      Connect with Myles Downey: Website |LinkedIn |

      The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

      Episode 149 Featuring Myles Downey

       

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