Question of Character

In this episode Mary and I welcome Matt Crossan, who is Senior Simulation & Performance Engineer at Mahindra Racing in the UK which competes in the Formula E World Championship racing series. In Matt’s senior year in Engineering at Western University, Matt co-captained the Engineering School’s Formula Race team that ended up ranked 13th from among 500 of the world’s best engineering schools, up from 54th the previous year. This was Western’s best finish ever, and much of the credit is attributed to the team’s embracing of Leader Character. In this episode Matt tells his amazing story, sharing many of his experiences through the language and lens of leader character. He also discusses his subsequent career in Formula-E Car Racing and how leader character is an essential element of team success. After listening to this episode, we think you will be convinced that the more technical the endeavour, the more leader character can contribute to your organization’s success while still maintaining a strong sense of well-being. A super interesting conversation and a true example of the power of elevating character to the level of competence! 

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In this episode Mary and I once again welcome Dr. Corey Crossan. Corey has become the world’s foremost expert on Leader Character development. Corey answers LOTS of our questions including: How does Virtuosity enable “mass customization” and a “community of character development”? How does Virtuosity enable a “culture of Character”? How can Virtuosity minimize the load on the individual organizational “training curriculum”? How does Virtuosity allow an organization to track its “pulse” in real time? Is a partner important in Character development, and what makes for a good partner? How does Virtuosity encourage “doing” instead of just “thinking”? What is the Virtuosity “Organizational Dashboard” and how can it help organizations manage change and anticipate risk issues? How does Virtuosity protect people’s personal data? In our conversation we learned that Virtuosity is a revolutionary app that delivers tremendous insight and value to individuals and organizations alike. We hope you agree and take the next steps to get engaged with Virtuosity. 

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In this episode Mary and I welcome Kate Ashby, one of Canada’s best known and respected teachers of Improv. Kate has taught alongside Mary many times using Improv to develop Leader Character to graduate business students and executives alike. In our conversation we talk about using Improv to develop confidence, establish trust, practice taking risks, and learning to live with vulnerability. We discuss how, if we can improvise well, we need not fear any situation or unknown. We discuss making bravery contagious, the importance of movement, why making mistakes is good, and learning to “let go”. We discuss the power of play and fun, a safe way to get your body used to physiological stress, and how to think less about yourself and more about others. A delightful conversation that we hope you enjoy as much as we did.

If you are interested in contacting Kate about improv, you can reach her at [email protected].

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In this episode Mary and I welcome Jennifer Bitz, a senior Federal public servant. Jenn has initiated and overseen cultural transformations within several Federal Public Service agencies and is the ideal guest to share her knowledge, wisdom and experience with us. Jenn defines culture and why it is so important (3:35), why psychological safety is the best predictor of organizational performance (5:50), and the links between employee happiness and creativity / energy / productivity (6:40). Mary then directly links character to psychological safety and happiness (8:10). Jenn then answers why cultural transformation is so challenging and why cultural transformation needs to be understood as an “infinite game”(10:45). Mary identifies the tendency to change processes, not people, as a key reason why culture change programs often stall and / or fail (14;25). Jenn then explains the central role of Leader Character in defining, shaping and sustaining organizational culture, and Mary’s quote “An organization should do no harm to its employees.” (16:30). Jenn identifies the unique contributions of Leader Character in achieving an aspirational culture (20:40). Jenn describes the 3-step process of cultural transformation, and Leader Character’s essential role in this process (22:40) which Mary links to Strategy and how 95% of an aspirational culture is the same - a character-based culture (27:30). Jenn and Mary then discuss the obstacles that get in the way of perceiving and inserting character into a central role in culture, and how including character in this process is a “game changer” (29:40). Lastly Jenn provides her advice as to what you, if faced with cultural change issues, need to do next (35:10). Our conversation with Jenn is an extremely insightful and practical guide that emphasizes the critical role of character in navigating and delivering culture change from a deeply experienced practitioner in this challenging yet critical field.

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In this episode Mary and I welcome Dr. Lucas Monzani, Asst. Professor of Organizational Behaviour at Ivey Business School. Lucas’s research includes a focus on Key People Indicators (KPIs), and quantifying the impact that Leader Character has on these KPIs. Lucas shares the accumulating evidence which is establishing a broad-based, strong, and positive correlation between presence of Leader Character and KPIs (e.g. psychological safety, promotability), which has the potential to radically transform organizations. In our conversation we note that Leader Character is a fundamental, root-cause approach to improving these KPIs from within people (“trickle up” effect). Lucas also discusses his current and future research which is using novel techniques and methods to measure the link between Leader Character and physiological responses, and the early results are very promising. Lucas discusses some extremely valuable insights arising from his research that demonstrates consistent cross-cultural effects and the phenomenon of “character contagion”. Lucas discusses using virtual reality techniques to deliver consistent, cost-effective and humane training methods to develop leader character (including reducing unconscious bias and improving performance management). Finally, Lucas reminds us that Leader Character is at its essence a “Human Project”, and that the human is at the front and center of our research. It is not pursued for the primary purpose of improving profitability or EPS, but to support and extend Human Flourishing to support judgment and well-being and get at the complex challenges facing us in the 21st century.

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Five new episodes of the Question of Character Podcast are on their way starting June 26!

Summary: In this episode Mary and I welcome John Ossowski, President of Canada Border Services Agency. Over the last five years John has led the introduction of Leader Character into all facets of the CBSA organization. As he says, “We use it for everything!”. The accessible, practical and universal language of Leader Character makes it perfect for applications such as selection, recruiting, rewards and recognition and performance management. In particular, Leader Character has been central to a cultural transformation occurring within CBSA, including playing a key role in their EDI initiative. John discusses what first captured his imagination about Leader Character, how it is used at CBSA, how it has changed and strengthened his leadership, and the obstacles faced and overcome. When we asked John for his one piece of advice for leaders he said, “Just dive in!”. Likewise, we hope you will dive into this episode and get as much from it as we did. (~43 minutes)

In this episode Mary and I welcome Dr. Marsha Rothstein. Our conversation was inspired by an inquiry which had asked if Leader Character had anything to offer a stressed-out student population weary from dealing with a pandemic, job-hunting, social distancing and endless screen time. We thought Marsha had something to offer given her 30 years of clinical psychology in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) helping her patients address and overcome emotional difficulties. Our conversation turned out to be extremely timely, helpful and practical. Marsha’s and Mary’s conversation has a timeless quality to it and is helpful to all. The bottom line? Leader Character and CBT, working together, can have a huge impact on how you respond to the pressures of everyday life which, as we all know, have been ratcheted up tremendously by the pandemic. You can use the concepts and practices of CBT and Leader Character, established through science and practical application, to take greater control of your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, stimuli and responses. This in turn will lead to better alternatives, judgments, outcomes and well-being for yourself and others. You are not alone and working together will lead to better outcomes and well-being for all.

- 3C’s of Leadership: https://www.leadforward.ca/blog/2016/10/31/developing-leadership-character-pt-1   

- Leadership Character Framework:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/research-resources/leader-character-framework/   

- Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/   

- Virtuosity App:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3l6l46u8bsxkn9/Video%20-%20Introduction%20to%20Virtuosity%20Character%20App%20-%202020-07.mp4?dl=0

In this episode Mary and I welcome our special guest Ted MacDonald, Advisor to the Financial Conduct Authority in London, England and a long-time, unofficial ambassador for Ivey Business School. Ted discusses how Leader Character allows the practitioner to go beyond the letter of financial industry regulation, to the spirit of the regulation’s intent. Ted describes the effect of COVID-19 on culture, conduct, and individual well-being, and how Leader Character can provide a leader with balanced, timely and wise decisions during these unprecedented times. Ted and Mary distinguish between poor ethics and poor judgment, and how Leader Character, by focusing on judgment, can help reduce the risk of misconduct. We discuss how strength of character among the organization’s leadership sets the tone for a safe, supportive environment that will allow the aspired culture to thrive. Ted describes the concept of “tone from within” where individuals strength of character aligns with the organization’s purpose. Mary and Ted emphasize the foundational importance of individual character development in achieving culture change, how most organizations don’t take this seriously enough, and how those that do will achieve long-term, competitive, sustainable advantage. Ted also discusses how he has successfully used leader character within the FCA, and how it has been helpful to him in his personal life.  

- 3C’s of Leadership: https://www.leadforward.ca/blog/2016/10/31/developing-leadership-character-pt-1   

- Leadership Character Framework:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/research-resources/leader-character-framework/   

- Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/   

- Virtuosity App:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3l6l46u8bsxkn9/Video%20-%20Introduction%20to%20Virtuosity%20Character%20App%20-%202020-07.mp4?dl=0

In this episode Mary and I welcome our special guest Greg Millen, ex-NHL goalie, current NHL broadcaster, leadership consultant and college professor. In this episode we discuss the role of Leader Character in all sports, with a focus on professional ice hockey. Greg shares his experiences with character at the NHL level as a player and advisor, while Mary connects the science of Leader Character with the performance edge that professional athletes are looking for. Mary and Greg discuss their experiences working with the Carolina Hurricanes, and how Leader Character was used in draft selection. We also discuss the relevance of character to all types and levels of sport, and how athletes, coaches, administrators and management can use it to not only improve individual and team performance, but also to enhance individual well-being which will resonate and amplify to the benefit of our families, communities and society at large. Finally we make the point that the stories in sports that inspire us the most are those centered on the athlete’s character, and that these stories are equally applicable to our leaders and their organizations and institutions.  

- 3C’s of -Leadership:  https://www.leadforward.ca/blog/2016/10/31/developing-leadership-character-pt-1 

- Leadership Character Framework:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/research-resources/leader-character-framework/ 

- Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership:  https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/leadership/ 

- Virtuosity App:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3l6l46u8bsxkn9/Video%20-%20Introduction%20to%20Virtuosity%20Character%20App%20-%202020-07.mp4?dl=0