Introduction

Welcome back to the Wise Practice Podcast! In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Michael Dietrich-Chastain, an expert on peak performance in the workplace. Michael is the CEO of Arc Integrated, a leadership development and organizational consulting firm based in Asheville, North Carolina. He's worked with various CEOs and leaders to transform company cultures, and his writing has been featured in reputable publications like Time, Money, Entrepreneur, and The Washington Post. His mission is to create and maintain purpose-driven organizations that elevate the consciousness of all involved.

Tailored Leadership Qualities

Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all list of top leadership qualities, Michael emphasizes the importance of considering individual leaders' unique developmental areas. It is difficult to identify the absolute top 5 leadership qualities. Every given leader is going to have an area of emphasis that will be developed that depends on their needs and business. He believes that the most crucial qualities depend on the leader, their business context, and the dynamics at play. Leadership development should be personalized and focused on enhancing qualities specific to each leader's needs. The recipe for leadership is always dependent on the context the leader is in. 

Leader as a Coach

As leaders progress in their careers and manage more extensive teams, the ability to coach becomes vital. Coaching junior leaders and team members fosters growth and development within the organization. It not only benefits those being coached but also provides the opportunity for leaders to master the skills they are teaching. Whitney and Michael highlight that delegation, communication, and conflict resolution are aspects that can significantly improve through coaching. The larger the team the greater the skill of coaching is needed. 

Releasing Control

Whitney shares a real-life example of a practice owner who struggled to delegate calls, fearing a loss of control and reduced conversion rates. Michael emphasizes that the need for control often arises as a significant concern for some leaders. Releasing control is essential for effective delegation, accountability, communication, and stress management. Leaders must learn to trust their team members' capabilities to foster growth and efficiency.

Growing Skillsets

Business growth often brings forth the need for new skill sets, as exemplified by a practice owner needing to teach her team members sales techniques for handling client calls. Recognizing and addressing these emerging skillset requirements is vital for sustaining and improving business performance.

Common Leadership Development Qualities

Do you ever wonder what makes a great leader? Well, according to Michael, there are some common trends among leaders he's worked with. One key area he highlights is self-care. He says, "Like self-care, doing things for you and not for everybody else. A lot of people run their business for others and neglect themselves."

It's crucial for leaders to prioritize their own well-being. Michael shares examples of practice owners overpaying employees and feeling burdened by financial stress. Leaders need to take care of themselves to effectively lead others.

Empowering Leaders

Michael emphasizes the importance of empowering leaders to define the values of their businesses. He believes that there's a lot of untapped potential in creating unique and specific values for businesses. Christian leaders, too, can benefit from crafting values that align with their belief systems.

The Role of Facilitation

Michael highlights a lesser-known leadership skill: facilitation. He explains that the best leaders are also great facilitators. Being skilled at facilitating discussions, idea generation, and meetings can harness the wisdom of a diverse group. This skill becomes even more critical in our rapidly changing world, where collective decision-making is essential.

Challenges in Leadership

Leadership come with its challenges, especially as businesses grow. Whitney shares a common issue among leaders—reluctance to be direct with employees to avoid hurting their feelings. Michael agrees and says, "As you grow, this becomes a real problem."

The Friendship Dilemma

Whitney and Michael discuss another challenge: hiring friends. While it might work in smaller companies, larger organizations face difficulties when friendships interfere with business decisions. Michael advises, "Don't hire that person unless you're ready for the friendship to be over."

Embracing Diversity

Whitney emphasizes the importance of diversity in businesses. Michael adds that involving everyone in co-creating business values can lead to better problem-solving and increased employee engagement.

The Role of Faith-Based Leadership

As a podcast for faith-based practice owners, Whitney asks about the significance of Christian leadership. Michael highlights the idea of empowering leaders with the authority to create values aligned with their beliefs. He encourages leaders to think creatively and consider unique values for their businesses. Michael also challenges the idea that Christian leadership must adhere to specific jargon. He advocates for the freedom to create values in a way that resonates with individual leaders, regardless of traditional norms.

Involving Others in the Conversation

Michael suggests involving everyone in conversations about values. This co-creation process not only solves problems more effectively but also fosters employee engagement and a sense of ownership.

Tips for Developing as a Leader

• Self-Assessment: Identify the specific areas where you need to develop as a leader. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses.

• Coaching Support: Consider seeking leadership coaching to receive personalized guidance and feedback on your developmental areas.

• Delegation: Learn to delegate tasks effectively to team members. Trust their abilities and provide clear instructions.

• Communication Improvement: Focus on improving your communication style by being authentic, compassionate, and encouraging while providing clarity.

• Continuous Learning: Embrace a growth mindset and continuously seek ways to enhance your leadership skills.

• Prioritize Self-Care: As a leader, take care of yourself first, so you can better care for others.

• Empowerment through Values: Define unique values that align with your beliefs and empower your team to be part of the process.

• Develop Facilitation Skills: Hone your facilitation skills to tap into the wisdom of diverse groups and make better decisions.

• Embrace Diversity: Value diversity in your business and consider hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds to enrich your team.

• Engage in Co-Creation: Involve everyone in conversations about business values and let the collective wisdom guide your decisions.

Links and Resources

• Please visit and support our Sponsor- Therapy Flow

• Arc Integrated

• Michael’s Book - The Changes Book

• Michael’s Card Deck

• Michael on Instagram

• Michale on Linkedin

• Michael on Facebook

• Michale on Twitter

• Free leadership quiz!

• The Conscious Leaders Quest

Podcast Production and Show Notes by James Marland at Course Creation Studio