Lesson 4: How to Support People Behind You

When we have more power, we tend to have less empathy. Guard against this by viewing supporting others as a privilege.

Past guest Rita McGrath reminds us that:

Snow melts from the edges. The most effective leaders can and will see this if they are present at the edges.

When supporting people behind you:

Begin with a short conversation — help in the moment, if you can.

Invite them to take the first step. Avoid doing the work for them.

Start small with a single topic or behavior change.

Spend as much time listening and asking questions as you do talking.

Ask them to take action before the next conversation.

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Resources

The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence* by Dacher Keltner

Powerful Teaching: Unleash the Science of Learning* by Pooja Agarwal and Patrice Bain

Related Episodes

Use Power for Good and Not Evil, with Dacher Keltner (episode 254)

Six Tactics for Extraordinary Performance, with Morten Hansen (episode 337)

What You Gain By Sponsoring People, with Julia Taylor Kennedy (episode 398)

Help People Learn Through Powerful Teaching, with Pooja Agarwal (episode 421)

Leadership in the Midst of Chaos, with Jim Mattis (episode 440)

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