Things Leaders Do: Leadership for Managers and Executives

Resolving Workplace Conflict: 

Podcast Host: Colby Morris

Key Takeaways:

• Conflict, though inevitable, doesn't have to be a productivity and morale destroyer in the workplace.
• Leaders play a pivotal role in navigating workplace conflicts effectively, fostering a harmonious and productive work environment.

Uncover Three Practical Strategies for Conflict Resolution Mastery:

1. Championing Open Communication:
2. Building a Team Charter: A Guiding Compass for Conflict Resolution:
3. Harnessing Practical Conflict Resolution Tools:

Embrace Conflict Resolution Mastery: Tune In for Actionable Insights!

Join Colby Morris on this insightful podcast journey as he delves into the world of workplace conflict resolution. Discover practical strategies and tools that empower leaders to transform conflicts into catalysts for positive change.

Unleash your potential as a conflict resolution master! Subscribe, rate, and review the show, and connect with Colby on social media.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Cultivating a Culture of Trust

About the Episode

In this episode of the Things Leaders Do podcast, host Colby Morris delves into the crucial role of trust in establishing high-performing teams. He explores the profound impact of a trusting culture on team productivity, well-being, and innovation, emphasizing that trust is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace.

Key Takeaways

• Trust is the foundation of strong teams. When team members feel they can trust each other and their leadership, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and innovative.
• A culture of trust fosters open communication, collaboration, and accountability, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.
• Trusting relationships promote a sense of psychological safety, allowing team members to feel comfortable taking risks and expressing their ideas without fear of judgment or retribution.
• Leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating a culture of trust by modeling trustworthy behavior, setting clear expectations, and fostering open dialogue.

Actionable Tips

• Start by building trust with your direct reports and colleagues. Make an effort to connect with them on a personal level and demonstrate that you care about their well-being and success.
• Encourage open and honest communication within your team. Create opportunities for team members to share their thoughts and ideas, and actively listen to their feedback.
• Be consistent and predictable in your actions. Follow through on your commitments and hold yourself accountable for your mistakes.
• Recognize and appreciate the contributions of your team members. Show them that you value their hard work and dedication.

Call to Action

Take the first step towards building a culture of trust within your team. Start small by modeling trustworthy behavior and creating opportunities for open communication. As you continue to cultivate a trusting environment, you'll witness the positive impact it has on your team's productivity, morale, and overall success.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Our first interview show! Colby was a guest on the Management Development - UNLOCKED podcast with Eric Girard. 
Eric Girard is CEO of Girard Training Solutions, and he has over 30 years of experience helping improve the performance of managers and employees. He specializes in the development of new managers, focusing on their successful transition to their new role and on their team management skills. He has a high-energy and engaging facilitation style.
In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Why developing yourself is one of the most important first steps of leadership development for a new manager, and recognizing that leadership is about the people.
2. The aspects of leadership development that new managers should avoid.
3. Colby’s take on the fallacy that a new manager can’t develop leadership skills.
4. Where new managers can discover resources to develop their leadership skills and why it’s well worth making the budget and time investment.
5. Colby’s consulting business with his wife, their roles as a fractional CFO and fractional COO, and his podcast.
6. Eric’s lightning round questions for Colby.

Connect with Eric:
LinkedIn
Girard Training Solutions

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Welcome to the TLD Podcast, hosted by Colby Morris, an experienced leader who has navigated through various organizational roles, from manager to C-suite executive. Join us as Colby shares invaluable insights and actionable strategies to help you become a more effective leader starting today.

In this episode, Colby delves into the second discipline of effective leadership: "Create Clarity." Drawing inspiration from Patrick Lencioni, he emphasizes the importance of answering six critical questions from Lencioni's book, "The Advantage," to guide your organization's purpose, values, actions, strategies, priorities, and roles. Alignment within the leadership team is key, and Colby offers practical tips to ensure everyone speaks the same language.

The third discipline, "Over-Communicate," may sound unconventional, but it's a cornerstone of a healthy organization. Colby sheds light on the power of relentless communication, especially concerning the six critical questions. Discover the significance of repetition and how it fosters understanding within your team.

Finally, the fourth discipline, "Reinforce Clarity," is explored. Colby discusses how your organization's processes, including hiring, goal setting, and performance reviews, should be aligned with your core principles to drive clarity. He challenges you to reflect on your leadership's efforts to improve communication, appreciation, recognition, and organizational culture.

As you listen to Colby's insights, he encourages you to consider how you can personally implement these strategies in your role as a leader. Don't wait for others to make a difference—start today. Tune in to gain actionable leadership insights and make a lasting impact in your organization.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Building a Healthy Culture

In this episode of the Things Leaders Do podcast, Colby Morris discusses the importance of culture in the workplace and how leaders can build healthy cultures. He also introduces the four disciplines that leaders can focus on to build the culture they want to create: building a cohesive leadership team, mastering the five behaviors of a cohesive leadership team, creating clarity, and focusing on results.

Key Takeaways

• Culture is the shared values, belief systems, attitudes, and the set of assumptions that people in a workplace share.
• A healthy culture is essential for attracting and retaining employees, increasing employee engagement, and achieving business results.
• Leaders can play a critical role in building a healthy culture by focusing on four key disciplines: building a cohesive leadership team, mastering the five behaviors of a cohesive leadership team, creating clarity, and focusing on results.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Welcome to the TLD Podcast with your host, Colby Morris. In today's episode, we delve into the art of leading with resilience during a global crisis while connecting with vulnerability and strength. In challenging times, leadership takes on a whole new dimension, and as we navigate a world filled with uncertainty, it's crucial to connect with your team on a profound level.
This episode is not about politics; it's about people. Colby emphasizes the importance of leading with vulnerability and provides actionable advice to empower leaders. As Craig Groeschel wisely said, "When leaders are vulnerable, they connect with people at a heart level." Join us as we explore the power of vulnerable leadership and how it can transform your leadership style.
We'll also discuss the importance of empathy, transparent decision-making, and the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength. Colby shares his personal insights and offers guidance on connecting with your team on a personal level, fostering a culture of authenticity and unity. Leading through crises requires resilience, and Colby's actionable advice can help you lead with your heart and make a real difference. Join us to learn how to connect with vulnerability and strength, even in challenging times.

Things Leaders Do Instagram

Colby's LinkedIn Profile

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Welcome to the 'TLD Podcast' with your host, Colby Morris. In this enlightening episode, we dive into the world of problem-solving within leadership. Discover the immense value of fostering intrapreneurial cultures in developing innovative problem solvers. Join us as we explore collaboratively tackling challenges and generating revolutionary ideas. Uncover actionable steps to cultivate intrapreneurship in your team, leading to more effective problem-solving. If you're on a quest to boost your leadership skills and revolutionize your organization's approach to problem-solving, don't miss this episode!

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

Join host Colby Morris on the TLD Podcast as we explore advanced KPI strategies for seasoned leaders. 

• Learn the critical difference between Strategic and Operational Objectives and how they relate to KPIs, illustrated with real-world examples. 
• Discover the art of effective KPI implementation, including cascading KPIs and continuous monitoring for agility and competitiveness. 
• Dive into leveraging data for informed decisions, fostering a data-driven culture, and using predictive analytics. 
• Finally, adapt and evolve with agile review cycles and continuous learning. Subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more leaders on their journey to success.

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

In this empowering episode of "Things Leaders Do," we're tackling a fundamental aspect of leadership that often gets bogged down in theory – Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs. Hosted by Colby Morris, this episode is designed for leaders at all levels, offering actionable steps to supercharge your team's success.

We start by simplifying KPIs, cutting through the noise, and focusing on what truly matters. Then, we delve into setting SMART KPIs – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound – providing a roadmap for success.

But it doesn't stop there. We explore how to effectively communicate and track your KPIs, ensuring your team is aligned and motivated. And remember, KPIs aren't set in stone; regular review and adaptation are crucial for long-term success.

So, if you're ready to turn theory into action and supercharge your leadership journey with practical KPI strategies, join us on 'Things Leaders Do.' Don't just listen – lead with purpose, passion, and action.
[Listen to the full episode for invaluable insights and actionable advice!]

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com

To lead well under constant pressure, build a steady presence, communicate with extra clarity, and protect your team's resilience before it runs out. When the pressure never lets up, the leader sets the temperature for the whole team. Colby Morris breaks leading in a high-stress environment into three areas: a steadfast leadership presence, transparent communication, and team resilience. Each point comes in two versions, one for new leaders still finding their footing and one for seasoned leaders who need to raise their game. You'll hear the simple daily practice Colby uses to stay calm, how to keep fast-moving messages from turning into miscommunication, and how to handle the conflict that high pressure always brings.

How do I stay calm as a leader under pressure?
Three practices behind a steadfast leadership presence, including the breathing method Colby actually uses.

How do I keep my team from burning out in a high-stress job?
Making team well-being a priority, and why celebrating grit matters.

In Colby's words
"Anytime you're in a high-stress environment, there will be conflict. It's not if, it's when." (Colby Morris)

Resources mentioned

• Crucial Conversations
• Kim Scott, Radical Candor
• Angela Duckworth, Grit
• Peter Drucker

Related episodes

• Leadership Burnout Isn't About You: The Four-Part Survival Framework
• Leading Under Pressure: 3 Strategies to Thrive in High-Stakes Environments
• Time Management for Leaders, Part I

Support the show

• Colby's LinkedIn Profile
• NXTStepAdvisors.com