Life as Leadership: Where Leaders Gather to Grow Together

Jacqueline Throop-Robinson is the founder of Spark Engagement Inc., a global analytics company focusing on employee engagement. Throughout her 30-year career, Jacqueline has focused on uplifting leaders and inspiring passionate engagement at all levels of an organization. Jacqueline is the best-selling author of Fire Up Your Team: 50 Ways for Leaders to Connect, Collaborate and Create with their Teams, and she strives to create cultures of passion, productivity, and performance.

Check out the Spark Engagement Index at https://sparksummit2020.com/ (sparksummit2020.com).

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- A lot of people feel like they are not in charge of their own passion at work. As a leader, you should help to put the locus on control into the hands of the individual.

- You need the right data to know what to focus on when it comes to employee engagement.

- To have a high level of passion at work, you need (in equal measure): 1. A high sense of meaning and 2. A high sense of progress.

- Most organizations focus on the meaning of the work their employees do, but they focus less on the progress.

- Passion is a choice. You are accountable for your experience of work. BUT leaders can make the drivers of meaning and progress either easier or more difficult to find.

- Leaders need to purposefully create the conditions for people to experience passion at work with the work environment.

- If you—as the leader—are not truly and authentically engaged, your team will see that. Take care of yourself!

- Increasing challenge can help you maintain your passion at work.

- Three of the most-neglected drivers for engagement: 1. Giving enough feedback, 2. Offering/asking for input, and 3. Celebration.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Backpacking in Asia alone—separating from normal life and becoming grounded in herself.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Passionate, visionary, and authentic.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? How can I make a difference?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer‎

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Take time to think.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” because it supports people’s sense of meaning.

Website:

https://www.sparkengagementindex.ca/

Contact:

Find Jacqueline and Spark Engagement on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jthrooprobinson (@jthrooprobinson)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinethroop-robinson/ (in/jacquelinethroop-robinson)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spark_engagement (@spark_engagement)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparkengagement/ (@sparkengagement)

James' podcast, B2B Growth, has been downloaded more than 3 million times and is a top-ranked podcast according to Forbes. He's the best-selling author of Content-Based Networking: How to Instantly Connect with Anyone You Want to Know, and he's been a contributor for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and Business Insider.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- Build strategic relationships with people by giving them the opportunity to share their expertise.

- The three-part content-based networking framework: 1. Establish your goal (e.g. connecting with your target audience), 2. People (e.g. which people are in your target audience), 3. Content (e.g. what kind of content you can great with this audience).

- Become a host/hub for conversations.

- Your goal should not be creating content but building an audience and community.

- Sweet Fish Media’s values: Love people well, never stop learning, and own the result.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Patrick Lencioni’s emphasis on leading using three core values.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” A communicator, someone who cares, and someone who loves well.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? Have I loved my people well today?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business by Patrick Lencioni

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Start empowering your teams more—delegate and trust them so you are no longer micromanaging and can focus on more strategic issues.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” because saying “yes” to opportunities and finding out what works will help to move the needle more quickly.

Website:

http://sweetfishmedia.com

Contact:

Find James on social media:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jamescarbary (@jamescarbary)

Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamescarbary (@jamescarbary)

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jamescarbary (in/jamescarbary)

Amy Posey is a leadership facilitator, keynote speaker, and former CEO of The AIP Group, a leadership development firm that combines insights from the adventure, science, and business worlds for unique and effective leadership training.

Kevin Vallely is a leadership facilitator and the Expedition Manager for The AIP Group. A world-class explorer and leadership mentor, he is a member of the elite Explorer’s Club and was honored as an Explorer’s Club Flag recipient for his expedition to the Northwest Passage in 2013. In 2009, he and two teammates broke the world record for the fastest unsupported trek to the Geographic South Pole.

Together, they’ve written the recently released book, Wild Success: 7 Key Lessons Business Leaders Can Learn from Extreme Adventurers.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- The innovation process requires struggle and—likely—failure.

- Challenges and setbacks are an opportunity to learn rather than things that prove we’re not capable and not worthy.

- A fixed mindset and a growth mindset cannot exist together.

- Learning to perform in the wild world requires you to really perform because your life depends on it.

- To function and perform at the highest level, you have to be prepared at every level. This means being your best both as a team and personally.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day?

Amy: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” – Henry David Thoreau

Kevin: Beginning to understand the inspiration of the outdoors and “stepping away” as a child by riding around on his bike in the countryside.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…”

Amy: Empathetic, courageous, and thoughtful.

Kevin: Mentor, teacher, and inspiration.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others?

Amy: How emotionally intelligent am I?

Kevin: Why? (Do you do what you do, are you leading, etc.)

- What book would you recommend to leaders?

Amy: How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive by Jennifer Brown and Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado-Perez

Kevin: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be?

Amy: Get outside!

Kevin: Take care of yourself (exercise, eat well, etc.).

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?”

Amy: “Why not?” because life is short.

Kevin: “Why?” because the reason for doing something highlights its importance.

Website:

https://morewildsuccess.com/

Find Amy and Kevin on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wildsuccess1 (@WildSuccess1)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morewildsuccess/ (@MoreWildSuccess)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7lessonsforsuccess/ (@7LessonsforSuccess)

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyposey/ ( in/AmyPosey)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-vallely-b0b7bb16/ (in/KevinVallely)

Celeste Headlee is an award-winning journalist, professional speaker, and author. In her 20-year career in public radio, she has been an executive producer and has anchored programs including Tell Me More, Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition. She also anchored presidential coverage in 2012 for the PBS World Channel. Celeste’s TEDx Talk sharing 10 ways to have a better conversation has over 23 million total views to date. Celeste’s newest book, Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving, has just been released.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- The notion that email and texting are faster and more effective is a delusion. The voice is superior in conveying communication more richly.

- Reclaim your time by finding out where your hours are going.

- Many people feel like they’re working more because they never really leave work—they take it home with them. Rebuild those boundaries.

- The human brain doesn’t persist; it pulses. Take regular breaks (e.g. every 45 minutes).

- Putting your nose to the grindstone is counterproductive.

- To be aware of your time use, keep a diary. Be honest.

- Schedule “idle time”—time when you do nothing.

- Do something nice for someone every single day. It is good for you (in addition to others).

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? The idea that we’re always listening not with the intent to understand but with the intent to reply.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” A connector, a coach, and a cheerleader.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? Am I getting honest feedback?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations by James Surowiecki

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Stop using email all the time!

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” – it’s natural as a journalist!

Website:

https://www.celesteheadlee.com/

Find Celeste on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CelesteHeadlee (@CelesteHeadlee)

Instagram: https://instagram.com/celesteheadlee (@CelesteHeadlee)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celesteheadlee (in/CelesteHeadlee)

Douglas Conant is the CEO and Founder of ConantLeadership, a mission-driven community of leaders and learners who are championing leadership that works. He is the former CEO of Campbell Soup and former President of Nabisco, as well as author of the new book The Blueprint: 6 Practical Steps to Lift Your Leadership to New Heights. He is the only former Fortune 500 CEO who is a New York Times bestselling author, a top 50 leadership innovator, a top 100 leadership speaker, and a top 100 most influential author in the world.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- A good book needs to be aspirational and approachable. It needs to help the reader lift their sights while also still being touchable.

- The key to becoming the leader you are meant to be is your life story. You need to learn how to access this and bring it to life.

- Your leadership approach must be developed and implemented in a way that will fit into the culture where you are leading.

- Forget perfection. Try. Learn. Iterate.

- The best way to be a more effective leader in the world is self-examination and an understanding of yourself.

- If you think you can do better, you typically will.

- Look to learn lessons from what is going on around you in the world.

- Be a student of leadership in a way that works for you and fits in your life. Create a rhythm and practice around it. To excel at the craft of leadership, you must be a student of the craft.

- You already have the seeds of leadership contribution. Tap into these and lift your contributions to new heights.

- The Blueprint’s six steps to getting unstuck:

* Step 1. Reach High/Envision

* Step 2. Dig Deep/Reflect

* Step 3. Lay the Groundwork/Study

* Step 4. Design/Plan

* Step 5. Build/Practice

* Step 6. Reinforce/Improve

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Meeting a counselor after being fired and learning the lesson of the importance of a “how can I help?” mentality.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Authentic, effective, and fulfilled.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? How can I help?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Reflect on your life story, harvest the lessons from that story, and bring them to life in your everyday actions. Your life story is your leadership story.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?”

“Why not?” It aligns with an abundance mentality.

Website:

https://conantleadership.com

Find Doug on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougconant (@DougConant)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConantLeadership/ (@ConantLeadership)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougconant/, (in/DougConant)

Eliza Lay Ryan is the author of Supermindful: How to Tap into Your Creativity. She is also the founder of a business that shares the same name as her book. Her work promotes the cultivation of curiosity for more resilience, better collaborations, and more creativity. She has worked with leaders in neuroscience, business, and wellness to learn from the practices that actors use in their craft. Her goal is to use these findings so that anyone become more present, authentic, flexible, and empathetic in their own life.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- “Supermindfulness” is a marriage between rooting down into our own perspectives while also expanding to others’ perspectives, being flexible, and seeing things in new ways.

- The more we look at and inquire into our discomfort, the less frightening it is and the stronger we feel—both for ourselves and others.

- As a way to understand people better, try to embody their physicality.

- Most people’s default is judgement and defensiveness. Instead, work to develop an orientation of curiosity and collaboration.

- The act of play—living in a posture of wonder (i.e. being in a place of not knowing without being afraid and not limiting your expectations)—allows you to be in a space where you can hold all of the benefits of any experience that you’re engaged with.

- Being present in a moment means you have a gap between what’s happening and your reaction to it.

- Practicing mindfulness helps to build new neural connections. This happens most effectively through experience and engaging your whole self.

- Instead of stopping behaviors, start doing new behaviors. Using the imagination can help in the process of building new neural pathways to help us become the person we intend to be rather than the person we are habituated to be.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Writing a play and having someone else direct it, which taught the power of collaboration and the possibility of a group’s product being better than an individual’s work. Also, the development of curiosity (especially in moments of conflict—taking time to think about how others are experiencing it).

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Open, supportive, and visioning.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? What is needed in this moment, with this people, on this project?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Ask “why?” about the wants and actions of others.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?”

“Why?” (but for a different reason than above) because it places people in a beginner’s mind.

Website:

https://www.supermindful.co/

Contact:

Find Eliza on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supermindfulness/ (@supermindfulness)

Tom Rath is an author and researcher who has spent the past two decades studying how work can improve human health and well-being. His 10 books have sold more than 10 million copies and have made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.

Tom was the Program Leader for the development of Clifton StrengthsFinder, which has helped millions uncover their talents. His book StrengthsFinder 2.0 is Amazon’s top selling non-fiction book of all time.

Today’s interview focuses on Tom’s newest book, Life’s Great Question, which focuses on how you can use your individual style to contribute to teams and the lives of others, and how you can find the energy to be your best.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- Sharing your story—and being vulnerable/transparent in general—a will likely become more and more important when getting your message across as a leader.

- You not only need to understand yourself—you also need to know how you can serve others and contribute to the world.

- If you don’t focus your efforts on other people, you become more stressed and less fulfilled.

- As a leader, one key goal can be to help people enjoy what they do at their work.

- The Contribify inventory helps people understand the best place on a team for them based on their abilities, the rest of the team, and the need/goal.

- The three primary contribution “buckets” are: create, relate, and operate. It is difficult to come up with a scenario when these three are not important.

- When leaders assemble their teams, the teams aren’t always organized in complementary ways (e.g. the three contribution types weren’t maximized).

- Most leaders tend to be under-resourced on the relator side. Cognitive diversity is important to consider.

- When people are in the right jobs, they will be energized in their work more and feel more connected to their community and their environment.

- Most people do meaningful work every day. Surround yourself with reminders (photos, testimonials, etc.) and help other people see how their work is meaningful as well.

- The twelve contributions:

* CREATE

* Initiating: How do we get started?

* Challenging: Are we doing the right things?

* Teaching: What do people need to know?

* Visioning: What should we do next?

* RELATE

* Connecting: How do we connect people to our mission?

* Energizing: How do we get and stay charged?

* Perceiving: What does each person need?

* Influencing: How can we grow our client base?

* OPERATE

* Organizing: How do we make things run smoothly?

* Achieving: How can we get more done?

* Adapting: How can we adapt quickly to changes?

* Scaling: How can we reach more people?

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’”—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” A teacher, a listener, and an observer.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? How can I wake up each day and ensure I have the energy I need to be my best for other people?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? No Time for Spectators by Gen. Martin Dempsey (to be released in May 2020)

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Direct as much time in a given day on focusing your energy on the development of another person.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” because it encourages curiosity.

Website:

Col. John O’Grady is the founder and owner of O’Grady Leadership Consulting Services. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, where we also played NCAA Division 1 Lacrosse. During John’s military career, he served a year-long combat deployment where he trained and led a 500-person unit that earned the Presidential Unit Award for extraordinary performance and heroism. He has worked with U.S. Special Operations Forces on missions in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and he has served as a senior advisor to executive-level military leaders where he was relied upon to provide confidential, expert, advice on topics as diverse as culture, strategic direction, and managing fiscal and operational portfolios in excess of $14 Billion.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- Trust provides the energy and focus for both individuals and organizations to bring about the best in themselves.

- When you cultivate a culture of trust, you gain a competitive advantage to others.

- Trust should be given from the beginning of a relationship.

- Trust may be eroded. When this happens, consider where in your trust equation things have gone wrong.

- John’s Trust Equation: Trust = Integrity/honesty + Dependability/reliability + Competence + Communication + Care

- Once you have your trust equation, establish your expectations for each item of the equation, have a conversation with the person with whom trust is broken, and observe demonstrated behaviors with health curiosity in light of those expectations.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

- What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? “We rise by lifting others”—Roger Ingersoll

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Humble, trusted, and courageous.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? First, “what don’t I/we know?” and second, “why am I leading, and why do people want to be led by me?”

- What book would you recommend to leaders? Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Slow down and be curious.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” Regardless of which is asked, also ask, “What is the spirit or intention behind the question?” and, “is there is genuine, non-judgmental curiosity in terms of the answer that either one of those questions might elicit?”

Website:

https://strategicleadersacademy.com/john-ogrady/

Contact:

Find John on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OG_Leadership (@OG_Leadership)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-o-grady-leadership/ (in/john-o-grady-leadership)

Amber Hurdle is the CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting, a multi-award-winning talent optimization firm that pioneers using both science and marketing principles to strengthen customers’ brands from the inside out. She helps overcome costly business problems like ineffective recruiting, turnover, underperformance, declining morale and leadership gaps by clearly connecting her clients’ people strategy to their business strategy. Amber understands how to accelerate success. She is a teen mom turned powerhouse businesswoman who has worked with celebrities, executives and Fortune 100 companies. Amber loves uniting the power of personal, employer, and business brands.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- Collect data to help you understand what makes your employees tick so you can empower them to deliver on your brand promise.

- Understand your employees’ innate needs and what drives their behavior.

- A poor behavioral fit will result in a lost employee.

- If it’s worth it to create profiles to attract the ideal customer, it should also be worth it to create profiles to attract the right candidate.

- The collaborative/independent (A) and flexible/precise (D) markers are the two most important markers of the index. These help to determine whether people are risk-takers or risk averse.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? To believe the good in others—even people you don’t like or get along with. Everyone brings experiences that affect how they act.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Self-aware, humble, and visionary.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? What makes me tick?

- What book would you recommend to leaders? Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Enroll in “You University”—figure yourself out, why you are valuable, and how to leverage that.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why?” This helps you approach life with curiosity so that you can have an abundant life.

Website:

https://amberhurdle.com/

Contact:

Find Amber on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amberhurdle (@amberhurdle)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevelvetmachete/ (@thevelvetmachete)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmberHurdleFan (@amberhurdlefan)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle (in/amberhurdle)

Richard Milligan is an accomplished speaker, author, podcast host, strategist, and executive coach who started and runs 4C Recruiting. As a leader, Richard built 21 teams inside one industry across 15 years. Richard speaks at leadership events throughout the United States helping leaders understand how to become the best recruiting leader possible. His podcast, Recruiting Conversations, regularly tops the iTunes top 100 inside their Marketing category. He is the creator of the Recruiting Made Simple 12-week intensive coaching program that takes recruiting leaders through the process of building a personal recruiting system. Richard’s book, The Attractive Leader: Where Leading and Recruiting Overlap, lays out a simple plan for leaders who recruit to dominate their market, and it will be published in 2020.

LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

- It is rare for a leader to be clear in the vision of where they are going.

- Map the reasons every person on your team joined you.

- People often join leaders because of their personal leadership proposition, not because of the business value proposition.

- When you can communicate to people who you are as a leader, you are building trust.

- Protection and provision are vital characteristics in leadership. They may be called different things, but these two have always been vital in leadership.

- Once the protection/provision (safety/security) piece is in place, organizations need to be focused on the BAM Zone: Belonging, Affirmation, Meaning (these are in ascending order of importance).

- In a world where people care both about culture and working virtually, organizations must become creative as a way to develop organizational culture.

- At a team level, you need a micro-meaning in addition to the macro-meaning that an organization has.

- Be clear in your core value system—your why—and be able to communicate it well.

QUESTIONS TO INSPIRE US TO ACTION

– What is some lesson, saying, or experience that continues to influence your leadership to this day? Being aware of the need for a mentor and being taught by a mentor that setting the correct expectations and belief systems with your people will be the thing that your reputation is tied to. Also, the importance of having a clear vision and core value system for life and business to communicate to others.

- Use three descriptors to finish this sentence: “A leader is…” Visionary, clear in their communication of that vision, and believes in others before they do.

- What is a question that leaders should be asking either themselves or others? What is something dreamy that you want to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? (This was developed from the question, “what is your why?”)

- What book would you recommend to leaders? It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It by Craig Groeschel. BONUS: The Life-Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self by Tyler Reagin and Becoming a Coaching Leader: The Proven System for Building Your Own Team of Champions by Daniel Harkavy

- If you could get every listener to start doing something THIS week to help them be a better leader, what would it be? Don’t only grow an excellent team—retain it—by knowing what is most important to the individuals on the team and helping them achieve those things.

- As a general life principle, is it better to ask “why?” or “why not?” “Why not?” because this leads toward innovation. It helps you move quickly and be a first-actor.

Website:

http://4crecruiting.com/

Contact:

Find Richard on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmilliganiam (@rmilliganiam)

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatrichardmilligan (@thatrichardmilligan)

Facebook: @richard.