A leader’s job is to structure the organization so that it creates the right conversations, thus pushing authority to information. Here, David discusses what it sounds like when a leader manages information instead. So I got a question. At what point is pushing down authority to information become the leader absolving themselves of responsibility. It...
Leadership Nudge® 380 – Question Master
March 30, 2022by Sandy Wilmer
Practice using open questions to be curious, not compelling. Watch David explain how to become a Question Master. Here’s an activity that will have you practice being curious before being compelling. Have someone write down every question you ask in a meeting = verbatim. What I’m looking for is it needs to be specific enough...
Leadership Nudge® 379 – Well is a Tell
March 23, 2022by Sandy Wilmer
Saying “well” at the start of an answer to a question is a good indicator that what follows includes things like deflection, accountability avoidance and blame. Watch as David explains. “Well” is a tell. When you ask a question, if the first word you hear back is “well,” most likely what will follow has an element...
Leadership Nudge® 371 – Say I Don’t Not I Can’t
January 19, 2022by Sandy Wilmer
Changing behavior and keeping resolutions can be hard. Watch David explain how using different words can help. Hey everybody! Hope you’re doing well. Happy New Year! I’ve got something to help you maintain a New Year’s resolution, or just be able to maintain your resolutions or change habits easier. And the trick is that when...
Leaders give control to their team. Instinctively, giving up control is uncomfortable and even scary. But we can practice giving up control in everyday life. Watch David explain. What additional ways can you practice giving up control? The biggest impediment to creating an empowered team is our own desire to want to be and feel...
Watch David explain what intent sounds like, and what intent doesn’t sound like, on a submarine. The ultimate goal is to stop giving orders. Hey, so there’s a nice documentary by Smarter Every Day of onboard a nuclear submarine up in the Arctic. This is very recent. And it’s got a great example of how...
To influence up the chain of command, make things safe for your boss. Use the Ladder of Leadership, step by step, to earn the right to be heard and the right to have influence over decisions. One of the most common questions I get is how do I move myself up with my boss, where...
In a meeting, if a leader expresses their opinion first, what they’re doing is anchoring the discussion to their own perspective. Instead, leaders speak last. They share their opinions once they’ve heard from other people to hear more diverse perspectives. I’m in Alloa in Scotland, where this anchor is a reminder of the history of...
Leaders help the team manage the rhythm on Redwork (doing) and Bluework (thinking). Make time to pause, evaluate production relative to your goal, make course correction as needed, and then continue working. Good morning! I’m here on beautiful Manasota Key beach (Florida) to talk about Redwork and Bluework, the rhythm of doing and thinking at work. When you...
Leadership Nudge® 335 – The Ladder of Leadership: Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward
December 16, 2020by Sandy Wilmer
An easy way to think about how to use the Ladder of Leadership is to imagine the steps as a way to Pause, Rewind and Fast Forward. Watch David explain in this week’s Nudge. The Ladder of Leadership with the seven steps is sometimes complicated and hard to remember. “Oh, is this step three or...