In this episode of The Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good explores the challenges leaders face under pressure, emphasizing the reversion effect, where individuals revert to their most practiced habits instead of utilizing their skills.

He discusses the science behind working memory and automatic habits, providing a three-step framework to help leaders prepare for high-stakes situations. The importance of debriefing after such moments is also highlighted as a means for continuous improvement and learning.

TAKEAWAYS

You lose big deals due to retrieval problems, not training gaps.

Under pressure, leaders revert to their oldest habits.

Working memory is limited and can be hijacked by stress.

Skills need to be practiced in varied conditions to transfer effectively.

Preloading decisions can reduce cognitive overload during pressure.

Specific cues can trigger desired behaviors in high-stakes moments.

Debriefing is crucial for learning from leadership experiences.

Surprise in meetings indicates a failure in mental models.

Identifying personal reversion behaviors can improve performance.

Effective leaders build systems to manage pressure, not just rely on motivation.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Reversion Effect

03:13 Cognitive Science and Leadership

04:06 The Role of Working Memory

05:52 Retrieval Architecture for Leaders

06:55 Three Steps to Prepare for Pressure

08:57 Managing High-Pressure Moments

10:24 The Importance of Debriefing

12:22 Building Learning Architecture

15:16 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Kumar Mehta about what it truly means to be exceptional in leadership and performance. They explore the systemic issues that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential, the importance of deliberate practice, and the mindset shifts necessary for long-term success.

Dr. Mehta shares insights from his research on elite performers, emphasizing the significance of commitment devices, future orientation, and the necessity of a supportive environment. The discussion also touches on the stages of personal development and how to raise exceptional children by instilling a strong work ethic and the connection between effort and outcomes.

TAKEAWAYS

If your career keeps running on the same habits, it's a system problem.

Being good enough is no longer enough in today's world.

Exceptional performance is a system you can learn, not just a talent.

Deliberate practice is essential for moving from good to exceptional.

Future orientation helps in making better present choices.

Commitment devices can help maintain focus and effort.

Cross-pollination of ideas from different fields enhances creativity.

Super elite performers often have a competitive upbringing and a chip on their shoulder.

Mastery is about competing with your possible best, not just personal bests.

Teaching children the link between effort and outcomes fosters a strong work ethic.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Path to Exceptional Leadership

00:42 The Distinction Between Hard Work and Deliberate Practice

03:50 The Importance of Structured Practice

06:22 The Power of Commitment and Plan A

09:35 Transferring Skills Across Disciplines

12:52 Cross-Pollination of Ideas for Growth

15:07 Harnessing Adversity for Motivation

18:21 Shifting from Outcome Focus to Mastery

19:54 Recognizing and Acting on Pivot Points

21:30 Stages of Growth: From Personal Best to Possible Best

24:00 Implementing Lessons from Elite Performers

25:37 Fostering a Strong Work Ethic in Children

27:18 Applying the Framework at Any Stage of Life

27:40 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode, Charles Good and Dr. Megan Sumeracki delve into the intricacies of learning, memory, and effective teaching strategies. They discuss the importance of understanding how learning works, the pitfalls of relying on intuition, and the myths surrounding cognitive science. The conversation emphasizes that learning is a competitive advantage and that effective learning strategies can significantly enhance performance.

They also explore the role of technology and AI in learning, the hidden costs of cognitive offloading, and the foundational role of memory in the learning process. Finally, they provide insights into improving the transfer of learning to real-world situations.

Megan Sumeracki, PhD is a cognitive psychologist and co-founder of The Learning Scientists, an organization focused on translating decades of research on learning and memory into practical, evidence-based strategies that help people learn more effectively and retain what they learn.

TAKEAWAYS

Learning is no longer a support function; it's a competitive advantage.

Most professionals struggle not due to lack of intelligence but ineffective learning design.

Intuition often misleads us in assessing our learning effectiveness.

Confidence does not equate to competence; many are poor judges of their own learning.

Effective learning strategies often feel difficult but yield long-term benefits.

Cognitive offloading can hinder deeper learning if relied upon too heavily.

All knowledge is fundamentally tied to memory; without retrieval, knowledge is inaccessible.

Technology and AI can assist learning but cannot replace foundational knowledge.

Connecting new information to existing knowledge enhances learning efficiency.

Multiple concrete examples help in understanding abstract concepts.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Learning Gap: Understanding Memory and Learning

01:36 The Learning Scientists: Bridging Research and Practice

02:53 Confidence vs. Competence: The Learning Dilemma

04:45 Intuition in Learning: The Pitfalls of Familiarity

07:25 Myths of Learning: Debunking Common Misconceptions

10:06 Technology and Memory: The Role of AI in Learning

17:07 Knowledge is Memory: The Foundation of Learning

22:32 Abstract vs. Concrete: Making Learning Accessible

31:33 Understanding Transfer in Learning

34:20 The Power of Retrieval Practice

35:24 Future Directions in Learning Science

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good speaks with Karen Dillon, former editor of Harvard Business Review and co-author of 'How Will You Measure Your Life?'

They explore the intersection of business theory and personal fulfillment, discussing how rigorous decision-making and understanding intrinsic motivation can lead to a more satisfying life. Dillon shares insights from her collaboration with Clayton Christensen, emphasizing the importance of applying business theories to personal decisions, the high achiever paradox, and the significance of relationships in achieving long-term happiness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Karen Dillon's Journey

02:19 The Impact of Clay Christensen's Teachings

04:47 Understanding Business Theory and Life Decisions

07:17 Herzberg's Two Factor Theory Explained

09:29 The Importance of Intrinsic Motivators

11:11 Self-Check for Long-Term Fulfillment

12:04 Deliberate vs. Emergent Strategy in Business

14:30 Testing Assumptions in Decision Making

16:33 Financial Constraints Leading to Innovation

18:53 The High Achiever Paradox

22:22 Jobs to Be Done Theory in Relationships

27:25 Understanding Emotional Needs in Relationships

29:09 Outsourcing Responsibilities: Lessons from Dell

32:06 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this conversation, Charles Good and Nancy Harhut delve into the intricate relationship between leadership, marketing, and behavioral science.

They explore how understanding decision-making shortcuts, the power of emotion, and principles like loss aversion and the endowment effect can significantly enhance marketing strategies.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of ethical marketing practices, the role of social proof, and how leveraging scarcity and exclusivity can drive customer engagement and conversion.

TAKEAWAYS

Most performance problems don't show up as learning problems.Leading with emotion accelerates action.People make decisions for emotional reasons and justify them later.Loss aversion outperforms promised gains in marketing.We value things more when we think of them as ours.Scarcity and exclusivity can create urgency in marketing.Giving first without strings attached fosters reciprocity.Social proof influences decision-making significantly.Specificity in testimonials enhances credibility.Authenticity in marketing is more effective than perfection.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Marketing Blind Spots

01:47 The Power of Behavioral Science in Marketing

02:14 High-Cost Mistakes in Marketing

04:06 Quick Wins with Behavioral Science

05:15 The Role of Emotion in Decision Making

08:52 Leveraging Loss Aversion

12:09 The Endowment Effect and Customer Ownership

15:31 Scarcity and Exclusivity in Marketing

21:21 The Principle of Reciprocity

23:39 The Power of Reciprocity in Business

25:05 Leveraging Social Proof for Credibility

26:40 The Role of Peer Influence in Decision Making

29:13 Authenticity in Social Proof and Reviews

31:33 The Importance of Storytelling in Marketing

33:47 Key Insights and Takeaways

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In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good engages with Scott H. Young, a bestselling author and expert in learning strategies, to explore the intricacies of effective learning and improvement. They delve into the concept of 'ultra learning' and how structured practice, feedback, and observation can significantly enhance one's ability to master new skills. Scott shares insights from his latest book, 'Get Better at Anything,' emphasizing that improvement is not merely about effort but about designing effective learning systems that incorporate examples, practice, and feedback loops. The conversation also touches on the impact of technology and AI on learning, suggesting that while these tools can automate tasks, they also necessitate a deeper understanding of the skills that remain relevant in a rapidly changing environment.

Throughout the discussion, Scott highlights the importance of understanding cognitive load and how managing it can lead to more effective learning experiences. He argues that many traditional learning methods fail to account for the complexities of real-world problem-solving, advocating for a more nuanced approach that includes observing experts and applying strong methods rather than relying solely on intuition. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners on how to implement these strategies in their own learning journeys, reinforcing the idea that learning is a continuous process that requires adaptation and intentionality.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Learning

01:35 Scott Young's Journey into Learning

02:44 The Tetris Example: Learning and Improvement Factors

06:11 The Relevance of Learning in an AI World

08:45 The Importance of Structured Learning

11:10 Lessons from Ultra Learning

14:37 Expert Problem Solving: The Case of Andrew Wiles

18:09 Weak vs. Strong Methods in Problem Solving

25:04 Creativity: The Role of Imitation in Originality

25:26 The Evolution of Learning Methods

29:54 Understanding Cognitive Load Theory

33:35 Strategies for Effective Learning

35:53 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good engages with Dr. Kumar Mehta, a leading voice in performance science, to explore the myths surrounding talent and exceptional performance. They discuss how innate talent is only part of the equation, emphasizing the importance of environment, commitment, and self-belief in achieving excellence. Dr. Mehta shares insights on goal setting, the significance of micro excellence, and the necessity of collaboration and mentorship in the journey to becoming exceptional. The conversation culminates in practical advice for busy professionals on designing effective habits to ensure consistent progress towards their goals.

TAKEAWAYS

Talent alone won't get you to the top 1%.

Exceptional performance is a combination of multiple factors.

Self-belief is a stronger predictor of success than skills.

You need to identify your innate advantages to excel.

Micro excellence focuses on the details that lead to success.

Collaboration and mentorship are crucial for exceptional achievement.

Setting lofty goals can drive significant progress.

Daily habits contribute to long-term success.

Your environment influences your potential for excellence.

Effort can compensate for a lack of innate talent.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Path to Exceptional Leadership

01:36 Understanding the Myths of Talent

03:10 The Role of Environment in Success

06:02 Identifying Your Innate Advantages

09:07 Building Self-Efficacy and Confidence

12:59 The Importance of Goal Setting

16:18 The Power of Collaboration

18:20 Micro Excellence: The Key to Mastery

22:35 The Cumulative Effect of Small Steps

24:30 The Role of Environment in Exceptional Performance

27:18 Designing Realistic No Zero Day Habits

28:29 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, Charles Good engages with Amy Herman, a lawyer-turned-art historian, to explore how the skills of art observation can enhance problem-solving in leadership. They discuss the importance of visual intelligence, the impact of biases on decision-making, and the necessity of empathy and perspective in addressing complex challenges. The conversation also delves into the concepts of Kintsugi and Wabi-Sabi, emphasizing the value of embracing imperfection and learning from mistakes. Throughout the discussion, practical strategies for redefining problems and fostering innovative solutions are shared, highlighting the transformative power of art in leadership.

TAKEAWAYS

Art observation enhances problem-solving skills.

Defining problems thoroughly leads to better solutions.

Biases can cloud judgment and decision-making.

Empathy allows for understanding different perspectives.

Asking the right questions is crucial in problem-solving.

Embracing imperfection can lead to valuable insights.

Kintsugi teaches us to value flaws and mistakes.

Wabi-Sabi encourages acceptance of transience and imperfection.

Visual intelligence helps in recognizing hidden details.

Stepping back can provide a clearer perspective on challenges.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Universal Challenge of Problem Solving

01:13 Understanding Murphy's Law

03:06 Bias Blind Spots in Decision Making

05:12 The Importance of Seeking Feedback

07:18 Learning from Dislike

08:54 Empathy and Perspective Shifting

11:32 The Power of Shared Human Experience

12:55 Asking the Right Questions

15:20 The Significance of Personal Backstories

17:15 The Value of Hidden Details

18:59 The Pertinent Negative in Problem Solving

21:18 Embracing Imperfection with Kintsugi

24:33 Wabi-Sabi: Accepting Incompleteness

27:15 Resilience in the Face of Challenges

28:44 Reversing Problems for New Ideas

32:35 Stepping Back for Clarity

34:40 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good and guest Dr. Karla Van Hevel discuss the importance of building a sense of community in the workplace, especially in today's dispersed work environments. They explore the definition of community, the benefits of fostering it, and practical steps leaders can take to cultivate a strong workplace culture. Karla shares insights from her research and introduces her Workplace Community Insight assessment tool, emphasizing AI's role in strengthening community connections while preserving the human element.

TAKEAWAYS

• Building community is essential for employee engagement.
• Community in the workplace can enhance trust and reduce turnover.
• AI can facilitate connections but should not replace human interaction.
• Understanding how employees define community is crucial.
• The 'BRING' method helps leaders foster community effectively.
• Leaders should prioritize getting to know their team members.
• Community-building requires ongoing effort and consistency.
• Successful organizations often have strong community cultures.
• Assessments can help measure and improve the workplace community.
• Creating a sense of belonging can lead to better organizational outcomes.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Building Community in the Workplace

07:09 Defining Community and Its Importance

10:34 Leveraging Technology for Community Building

13:57 Assessing Community with the Workplace Community Insight

14:37 First Steps to Cultivating Community

16:36 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this conversation, Wendy Ryan and Charles Good explore the intricate dynamics of leadership, emphasizing the importance of mindset, skillset, and behavior. They discuss the challenges leaders face in developing a growth mindset, the critical role of self-awareness, and the necessity of prioritizing people over tasks. Wendy introduces her 3T model for decision-making and highlights the significance of humility and the five essential behaviors that define great leaders. The conversation concludes with a focus on cultivating talent by prioritizing readiness over potential.

TAKEAWAYS

• Mindset, skillset, and behavior are interconnected in leadership.
• Developing a growth mindset is often the most challenging for leaders.
• Self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership.
• Feedback should be viewed as a valuable gift.
• A people-first approach enhances long-term organizational success.
• Understanding bias and privilege is essential for inclusive leadership.
• The 3T model encourages leaders to make decisive choices.
• Great leaders exhibit focus, integrity, decisiveness, authenticity, and humility.
• Humility allows leaders to foster a growth mindset in others.
• Focusing on readiness ensures equitable talent development.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Exploring Leadership Frameworks

02:16 The Challenge of Mindset in Leadership

04:50 The Importance of Self-Awareness

06:59 People First, Results Second Philosophy

09:37 Addressing Bias and Privilege

12:31 The 3T Model for Decision Making

16:06 Five Essential Leadership Behaviors

18:53 Understanding Humility in Leadership

21:38 Focusing on Readiness in Talent Development

28:14 Key Insights and Takeaways