#81 – Minisode: On Authenticity

"The higher up you go on the org chart, the more important it is that leaders are leading from a mindset of 'I work for you' not 'you work for me.'"

In this episode, Mike is joined by Andy Thompson for a fun and enlightening discussion centered on the most important behaviors for executive teams in creating and maintaining healthy organizations. They discuss fizzy water and extra hot coffee, the challenge of pronouncing “anonymity,” why self-care for execs is vital, the importance of asking employees for feedback, hiring execs for high EQ instead of for subject matter expertise, humility, why “walking the talk” (leading by example) is so important for credibility, and more.  

"Before I make my choice about what I'm going to do -- because I'm seeing the 'thing' not being done right, or well, or at all -- ask myself these two questions: Where is the employee in terms of skill? Where is the employee in terms of will? Get that sorted first, and whichever quadrant we land in gives me a lot of clues as to what I need to do next."

In this episode, Mike Nash is joined by Nash Consulting coach Val Jeffords to discuss the Skill-Will Matrix for classifying employees', well, skill and will with a particular task or job. Notably, each typology in the matrix requires different management and leadership approaches, a reality often overlooked in the workplace. Mike and Val discuss how managers often default to corrective action without assessing skill and will, a habit that can have detrimental effects in the workplace and can severely damage morale and trust.

Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting’s monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"By following the Rule of Three, we start to see further possibilities. We get outside of our current paradigms because it forces us to put more cognitive effort into finding other solutions."

In this minisode, Ethan Nash explains the theory and evidence behind the Rule of Three for decision-making. Instead of binary this-or-that/yes-or-no options, the Rule of Three implores decision-makers to give themselves another option before making a final call. Doing so, Ethan explains, pushes decision-makers to consider possibilities they otherwise would have overlooked, leading to nuanced choices that take into account a broader range of perspectives and potential outcomes. 

“Anytime I interact with any member of my team, I’m creating a brand impression. I may create a different brand impression with my CFO than I do with some account manager I’m working with. My leadership brand is going to be based on everybody’s perception of me.”

In this episode, Ethan Nash engages with Skot Waldron, a communication strategist, podcaster, and author of Unlocked: A 52-Week Guide For The Intentional Leader. Drawing on his experience as a brand strategist, Waldron explores the art of crafting a personal leadership brand. The conversation centers on Waldron’s new book, offering key takeaways and lessons on building personal confidence, self-awareness, and a personal leadership brand that communicates the values and priorities of every leader.

You can learn more about Skot and his work at www.skotwaldron.com.

Links:

Skot Waldron on The Managing with Mind and Heart podcast, January 2021

Skot on YouTube, LinkedIn

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals

"This person that we spend 24 hours a day with 7 days a week is yourself. And to live with someone that closely that you don't really like, is hell. Self-compassion is seeing your own goodness and having a 'correct' view of yourself. It includes the ability to give yourself grace, comfort yourself in a time of need, and treat yourself the way you would treat a friend."

Nash Consulting's own Hana Butler joins Mike Nash for a captivating cocktail hour conversation on the crucial topic of self-compassion at work. In this episode, they get into the fundamental questions surrounding self-compassion: What exactly is self-compassion, and why is it so vital in the workplace?

They explore the significance of cultivating self-compassion and its positive impact on individual well-being and overall team dynamics, as well as the challenges that arise when employees and managers struggle to develop this essential skill. Grab your favorite drink, relax, and join us for this thought-provoking exploration of self-compassion in the professional realm.

"Feeling cared about is feeling safe, which is a primary human need. I can't do my best work – and I probably don't want to do my best work – if I'm in a protected mode. Probably one of the most important abilities of a manager is the ability to communicate through words and actions that they actually care about their employees.”

In this one-on-one conversation between Mike Nash and our colleague, Scott Ummel, this episode delves into the fundamental principles of effective leadership. The duo presents five key attributes of an outstanding boss and shares valuable tips to refine these skills for your own personal growth.

Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting’s monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

"Managers have more of an influence on peoples' quality of lives than their therapists or spouses. Managers define reality for their employees. Whether you like your job or not, whether you're productive or not, whether you're happy or not -- inside and outside of work -- it often comes down to the manager. It's something to be conscious of."

Eric Girard is the CEO of Girard Training Solutions, where he specializes in the development of new managers, focusing on their successful transition to their new role and on their team management skills. He's also the author of the new book Lead Like a Pro: The Essential Guide for New Managers. In this episode, Eric joins Ethan to discuss the primary strategies for new managers. 

Resources:

Michael Bungay Stanier's book The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

“What can I learn from this person I’m in conflict with? What might they know that I don't know? What can I learn about myself through this disagreement?”

In this fourth and final installment of our Healthy Conflict Series, Mike and Ethan get into the adaptive skills that come in handy when dealing with conflict in the workplace. Learn about the internal work of healthy disagreement that can make you a better coworker, boss, and human being. 

Catch up on the rest of this series:

Conflict Part 1 (Episode #73)

Conflict Part 2 (Episode #74)

Conflict Part 3 (Episode #78)

Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting’s monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.

“Certainty is the enemy of change.”

This episode is all about identifying our unique growth opportunities when it comes to navigating conflict. Ethan and Mike further explore the conflict styles and suggest specific adjustments each style can make to improve their ability to collaborate towards positive results with others.

Show Notes:

-          Conflict Part 1 (Episode #73)

-          Conflict Part 2 (Episode #74)

Text the word “LEADING” to 66866 to be added to Nash Consulting’s monthly newsletter. Just practical management skills and tips. And just once a month. Pinky swear.