Episode 73: Special Guest - Dr. Lem Usita

Summary:

In this episode of the Rising Tide Leadership Podcast, host Mo interviews Dr. Lem Usita, an entrepreneur and leadership expert. They discuss Dr. Lem's leadership experience and how he defines leadership. They also explore the obstacles he has faced in his leadership roles and how he overcame them. Dr. Lem shares his early influences and the catalyst for his intentional leadership development. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and surrounding oneself with a supportive team. The episode concludes with Dr. Lem's recommended reading list and his final thoughts on leadership.

Takeaways:

• Leadership is not easy and comes with challenges and obstacles that must be faced and overcome.

Facing Obstacles:

• Every leadership role has its dark side.

• It’s a cop out to blame the organization for the obstacles. As the leader, it's my responsibility to lead the organization no matter what situation they're in. 

“If I am not leading well or if I don't lead these folks well, it impacts their family, it impacts their kids. And it might even impact the generation.”

• When you start thinking and reading and researching and studying leadership, then you're able to:
  • Change your behavior

• Every leader can teach you those two things:
  • Things that you want to do

• Surround yourself with people:
  • Mentors

Lem’s Final Thoughts: 

Lead out of who you are. You lead out of your personality, you lead out of your history, you lead out of your family sculpture, family of origin stuff, you lead out of your trauma and pain, you lead out of your weaknesses, and you lead out of your strengths. And if you're not doing the work of getting to know yourself, you're not growing your effectiveness as a leader, you just aren't. And so it takes courage and humility to do this work—to become better because it's facing yourself and making some huge changes and that takes courage and humility to lead yourself so that you can lead and be effective as a leader. 

Amazon Book Link:

Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, Daivd Hawkins. - https://a.co/d/03N27ma 

Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect, Will Guidara - https://a.co/d/eyo9HqM 

48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene - https://a.co/d/eP3VELJ 

Special Thanks To:

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Episode 72 - Three Pillars of Emotional Intelligence

EQ - navigating the complex inner interpersonal dynamics, inspiring, motivating teams and making really sound decisions that are based on emotional awareness. 

Three Pillars of Emotional Intelligence:

1. Self -awareness

• Self-Awareness:

• Leaders are self -aware. 
  • involves understanding emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, goals.

QUESTION: Are you self -aware? 

• Reach out to other people

• Empathy

• Leaders are empathetic. 
  • attuned to emotions and perspectives of their team members

BOOK: 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell 

• Your people need to know that you care about them before you can lead them. 

QUESTION: What kind of vulnerability do you have with your people? 

QUESTION: Who are the people in your life that can speak into your life and do it freely?

• The last thing that you should ask your people at the end of every meeting or every conversation with them is, how can I help?
  • that is your job⸺ to help other people to solve problems. 

• Leaders are Relational 

• Relationship management involves leveraging your own self -awareness and empathy to cultivate a positive relationship with each of the people on your team.
  • More influence with others 
    • Emotionally intelligent leader excels at:
      • Conflict resolution. 
        • Prioritize open communication, constructive feedback, empower team members to succeed. 

BOOK: Emotional Intelligence 2 .0, _____

QUESTION: What does it take for you to express your feelings to others? 

ASSESSMENTS:  

• Gallup Strengths Finder. 

• Leaders need to know themselves and be self -aware of both their strengths, and their personality 

MO’s Final Thoughts

The key differentiator is a genuine commitment to continuous self -improvement. It's about you getting better, not about making your people better. You're not there to work on your people. Work on yourself. The emotionally intelligent leader is going to be humble enough to acknowledge his or her own shortcomings and actively seek feedback from others. Invest time and effort into developing these emotional intelligence skills. Read the books. Hang out with the right people. Take the assessments. Practice it. Seek out people that can help you. Those who prioritize their own growth, are going to be the ones that set a positive example for their teams. And they're going to create a culture that values emotional intelligence at all levels of the organization.

Amazon Book Link:

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell - https://rb.gy/1cysf8 

Emotional Intelligence 2.0, - https://rb.gy/jfp53n 

Special Thanks To:

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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

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Episode 71: Leading in the Remote

• Culture is amplified

• Culture is the heartbeat of any organization

ARTICLE: “The Telephone is the Instrument of the Devil”, Marika Ehrenkrona

BOOK: Telecommunications: Yesterday and Today, Peter Anderson 

• We need to embrace new communication no matter what it is

QUESTION: Am I embracing the changes in culture and am I using that to shape the culture of my own team?

1. Communication is appreciated 

• Communication is the lifeblood of remote teams

BOOK: Boundaries, Henry Cloud

• It is your job to set boundaries in your own life and help the people that you supervise do the same.

• Clarity is achieved 

• You as a leader need to be proactive in addressing issues and provide clear guidelines

QUESTION: Do you know your strengths? Do you know what you're good at? Do you know your personality? Do you know who's extroverted and introverted? 

• Good clarity breeds a great team 

MO’s Final Thoughts:

Leadership is not about commanding from the top, but it's about empowering from within. If you want to empower your people in the remote world, you can do so. Stop complaining. Leaders need to learn how to lead in the remote. Leaders, the culture is up to you, the communication is up to you, the clarity is up to you. And when you take full responsibility for those, you are going to start building an incredible team and people are going to want to be on your team.

Amazon Book Link:

Boundaries, Henry Cloud - https://rb.gy/724kik 

Special Thanks To:

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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

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Episode 70: Leaders Take Care

• 70% of Americans feel that the nation doesn't care for them, and 38% are considering moving abroad due to concerns about their human rights. (American Psychological Association)

• Leaders should always be promoting wellbeing within their organizations. 
  • Foster a culture of empathy and support, 

• When it comes to work life balance, you as the leader have to lead the way. 
  • Take care of your people and take care of yourself. 

BOOK: (Walsh, Bill; Jamison, Steve; Walsh, Craig. The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership (pp. 215-216). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition)

QUESTIONS:

• Are you practicing that self care right now?

Unhealthy Workplace:

• You need to get out

• If the people above you are not taking care of your well-being now, they are not going to do so in the future. 

 Perception vs. Reality:

• People say they want to take care of themself, but don’t do it. 

• Leaders must know the importance of making wellbeing a top priority. 

Practical Tips:

• You need to take a day off. 
  • step away from your phone and anything else that distracts you from letting your mind rest. 

ARTICLE: Productivity Tips – Be More Productive With Less Effort, Brian Tracy

BOOK: “How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling”, by Frank Betcher. 

• Self Organization Day

“A rising tide lifts all boats”.

MO’s Final Thoughts:

Make this the time in your life you put forth a plan to take care of your well-being. Then invite those around you to be part of the process. When you do this, you will have a friend for life. 

Amazon Book Link:

The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership, by Bill Walsh, Dick Hill, Craig Walsk, Steve Jamison - https://a.co/d/3jmnubU 

How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling, by Frank Betcher. - https://a.co/d/7FPwhs8 

Special Thanks To:

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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

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Episode 69: A Conversation with a Champion 

Special Guest: Candace Motes, Indiana Wesleyan University Women's Volleyball Head Coach

• Won the NAIA National Championship.

Background Information:

• When did you start coaching? 
  • I got into volleyball and it took me to an opportunity to go play at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Team Background:

• How did you feel going into this season? Did you know that this was going to be the season? 
  • No, I didn't. 

•  What do you think contributed to this being the championship winning season?
  • Focused on Building Culture

Facing Obstacles:

• Not always just players and their drama

Who is someone who has really influenced your leadership?

• Debbie Brown from Notre Dame. 

BOOK: “Starts with Why”,  by Simon Sinek. 

Coach Candace’s Final Thoughts: 

Don't be afraid to change your thoughts. Don't be afraid. First of all, for young coaches, don't try to be anybody else that you think you should be. I have to be who I am. And I have to be who God created me to be. And I have to be the person that he wants me to be influencing in the moment that I'm in. But then, as you continue to go, continue to stay grounded in, “I can change, and I can make changes.” 

Amazon Book Link:

Start With Why, Simon Sinek - https://a.co/d/1SQnw4G 

Special Thanks To:

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

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Episode 68: The Adaptable Leader

1: Leaders Navigate Uncertainty

• That’s what leaders are all about!

Practical Technique: Stop and count to 10. 

• Don’t be hasty in the way that we react. 

BOOK: “Leading Up,” by Michael Useem. 

• Help those who lead you

2: Leaders Continually Learn

• You are never done learning!

• Unlock the collective creativity and problem-solving potential of their workforce. 

BOOK: “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, by Dale Carnegie 

• People are only going to do what they want to do. 

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus Said that the only constant is change. Blessed are the flexible for they will not be broken. My Hope is that you become that kind of leader. That nothing can stop you from going forward and getting better, but that you take the hits, and you keep on rolling. 

Amazon Book Link:

Leading Up, Michael Useem - https://a.co/d/1WqGn8e 

How to Win Friends and Influence People - https://a.co/d/jlUn8Un 

Strengthsfinder 2.0, Tom Rath - https://amzn.to/3Sn7uNm 

Extreme Ownership, by Jocko Willink, Leif Babin - https://a.co/d/beGQe6e 

Special Thanks To:

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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

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Episode 67: Leaders Start with Why

Questions to Ponder: 

• Have you ever been asked to do something by a leader and not fully understood why? 

BOOK: Start with Why, by Simon Sinek 

• Knowing the vision and direction as a leader is paramount.

BOOK: Leadership Lessons from the Age of Fighting Sail, by Chris Brady

• Leaders who possesses a clear and unwavering belief in their vision become a beacon of inspiration for their team. 

• This fosters a  sense of authenticity and credibility that is inherently persuasive. 

BOOK: StrengthsFinder 2.0, Gallup and Tom Rath

• A leader's ability to get others to believe in and follow her isn't solely dependent on the vision itself, but also on their ability to effectively communicate and share it. 

• A leader's consistent actions, integrity, and accountability play a pivotal role in earning and maintaining the trust and respect of their team. 

• Effective leadership involves several crucial elements. 
  • resilience in the face of failure. 

QUESTION: Are you a communicative person, whether it is with your family at home or with those at work? 

QUESTION: What is it that I can do, that nobody else can do all the time? 

• Your people want to do what they are good at. Get out of their way and let them do it. 

1. Leaders Empower with Purpose

• Empower through a clear sense of purpose.

• Work during the day to make a living. Work during the night to make a life. 

MO’s Final Thoughts

If you want people to follow you, you need to know why you are doing what you are doing. You need to give your people the reason to follow you. Don’t ever be upset if someone isn’t following you. There are no bad teams, only bad leaders. You need to be willing to put the work in. People want to follow someone who is passionate and knows what they are doing. Get out there, work hard enough and find your why. Live in the why!

Amazon Book Link:

Start with Why, by Simon Sinek - https://a.co/d/bCcXp8r 

Leadership Lessons from the Age of Fighting Sail, by Chris Brady - https://a.co/d/9nn3arJ 

Strengthsfinder 2.0, Tom Rath - https://amzn.to/3Sn7uNm 

Special Thanks To:

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/erSmdVocHO0

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Episode 66: Hero Spotlight with SFC John Noe

Mortuary Affairs – Provides dignity, honor and respect to fallen soldiers. 

BOOK: Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman 

https://a.co/d/aA5PjP1

MOVIE: Taking Chance, starring Kevin Bacon

1. Most rewarding part of your job? 

I feel like I am helping people with a service that a lot of people wouldn’t want to do…knowing I provide a service that gives family’s closure. 

1. Who is someone in your life that has helped to shape you as a person? 

Dad – “If I was as good as he is, this world would be a better place.” 

Current Boss – Taught me that how you say things influences the reaction you are going to get. 

1. What’s a book that’s influenced you? 

A Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren https://a.co/d/2mySojD

“If you don’t have a purpose in your life, how are you able to lead anyone?”

SFC John Noe’s Final Thoughts:

LDRSHIP Acronym 

•     Loyalty

Special thanks to:

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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

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Episode 65 - Building Your Leadership Well: Going Deep to Lead Effectively

• Depth Equals Competence

You are only as good as you continue to learn. 

To become a truly competent leader, you must dive deep into your field or industry.

Competence allows you to:

• Make informed decisions

• Depth Inspires Confidence

Leaders who invest in their development and continually deepen their skills become a source of inspiration and confidence for their teams.

QUESTION: What is one quality you look for in a leader that instills confidence? 

Deep leadership involves having a well-rounded understanding of not only your domain but also your team's needs and aspirations. 

Leadership is not about being selfish.

When your team witnesses your commitment to self-improvement, it encourages them to do the same, creating a culture of growth and excellence within your organization.

BOOK: The Gap and The Gain, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Worry about what you are doing.

QUESTION: Are you inspiring confidence in the people you lead? 

• Depth Encourages Adaptability

Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be broken.

Deep-rooted knowledge and skills make you better equipped to adapt to changing circumstances. 

There would be no need for leaders if things didn’t go wrong. 

You can make changes or you can make excuses, but you can’t do both. 

BOOK: Leading Up, by Michael Useem

Good leaders ask great questions. 

Stay dynamic. Don’t be stale. Change with the times. 

In times of crisis, depth of knowledge becomes an anchor for the team, fostering trust and stability.

MO’s Final Thoughts:

Strive to master your field and continuously expand your knowledge. Be a source of inspiration and confidence for your team through your commitment to growth. By nurturing your Leadership Well, you not only become a more effective leader but also empower your team to reach new heights of success. 

Amazon Book Links:

Leading Up: How to Lead Your Boss So You Both Win, by Michael Useem - https://a.co/d/3j5Fxp4 

The Gap and the Gain, by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy - https://a.co/d/1vMDQk3 

Special thanks to:

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Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/erSmdVocHO0

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Episode 64: Leaders Attract the Best

Point 1: Remote work is here to stay

• Leaders need to recognize that remote work is here to stay for a significant portion of the workforce. 

BOOK: “The Four Hour Work Week,” by Tim Ferris 

• It's not about punching a time clock, it’s about helping people to be able to get their stuff done. 

Point 2: Offer flexibility and adaptability

• Leaders should empower their teams to choose the work setup that suits them best.

QUESTION: Are you creating flexibility and adaptability?

EXERCISE (Write it down): What parts of your job are the in-person kind of stuff and what parts are virtual? What percentage of time do you have to be with your people and what percentage do you not need to be in front of others? 

1. Help your superiors understand those percentages

Point 3: Embrace Technology

• Leaders must ensure that their teams have access to secure systems, collaborative tools, and effective communication platforms. 

BOOK: “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John Maxwell - You have to make the connection before you can have people buy into your vision.

QUESTION: Are you the kind of leader that people want to follow? Are you using technology in the right way?

MO’s Final Thoughts

If you want the best people, if you want to attract the best, you are going to need to continue to change with the times. If you have stuff that you can have your people do remotely, give them the autonomy to do that. Let them show you how good they are. And, reward those who do well and get rid of the people who refuse to get on board and make those changes with you. If you make these changes, it is only helping them because this is the kind of work that people are expecting today. They would rather be at home or be on the move or whatever, and you as a leader just need to get things done. Why don't you just learn how to do both? That's the true Mark of leadership. 

 Amazon Book Links:

The Four Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferris - https://a.co/d/fYpk9ia 

21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell - https://a.co/d/3e0sziL 

Special thanks to:

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Work it out by LiQWYD https://soundcloud.com/liqwyd 

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/l_work-it-out

Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/erSmdVocHO0

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