Coaching for Leaders

• 740: How to Lead Organizational Change, with Michael Bungay Stanier

  Michael Bungay Stanier: Change Signal Michael Bungay Stanier is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and recognized as a classic. He was a Rhodes Scholar, and was recently awarded the coaching prize by Thinkers50. He's now the host of the new Change Signal podcast. If you’re doing change right, it’s going to be messy. In this conversation, Michael Bungay Stanier returns to show us where to start, the key mindsets to have, and the first steps for getting traction. Key Points If you’re doing change right, it’s going to be messy. Before you remove a fence, figure out why it’s there. Take inspiration from Emily Dickinson: “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” Beware giving lip service to the emotional realities of change and then moving forward without really addressing them. Strategy is a living conversation. Run experiments. Fire bullets before cannonballs. Motivation is a critical factor in change. Better to be less efficient and have people with you than to force compliance with a “perfect” plan. Emily Dickinson: Tell all the truth but tell it slant — Success in Circuit lies Too bright for our infirm Delight The Truth's superb surprise As Lightning to the Children eased With explanation kind The Truth must dazzle gradually Or every man be blind — Resources Mentioned Change Signal podcast hosted by Michael Bungay Stanier The Coaching Habit* by Michael Bungay Stanier Related Episodes Engaging People Through Change, with Cassandra Worthy (episode 571) How to Approach a Reorg, with Claire Hughes Johnson (episode 621) How to Prevent a Team From Repeating Mistakes, with Robert “Cujo” Teschner (episode 660) Expert Partner Are you a talent development or human resources leader seeking a coach for an internal client? Coaching for Leaders has partnered with some of the top coaches in the world, including a number of past podcast guests. Help us make an introduction by visiting our Expert Partners Page and telling us what you’re seeking in a coach. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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• 739: What Leaders Should Learn from Taylor Swift, with Kevin Evers

  Kevin Evers: There’s Nothing Like This Kevin Evers is a Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review. Passionate about shaping groundbreaking research and amplifying pioneering ideas, he has edited bestselling and award-winning books on high performance, creativity, innovation, digital disruption, marketing, and strategy. He is the author of There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift*. You may love her music. You may not. You may think she’s a business genius…or perhaps no. But one thing is for sure, you cannot ignore Taylor Swift. In this conversation, Kevin and I explore Swift’s strategic approach and what every leader can learn from her success. Key Points Swift knows exactly her “job to be done” and delivers on it consistently. Swift treats her fans’ emotions and experiences with respect, and they respond in kind. Andy Grove famously said that only the paranoid survive. It’s one of many traits that helps Swift stay successful. Swift’s transition to pop was promotion-focused rather than prevention-focused. She led the story of her transformation. Not only is Swift clear on her vision, but she regularly reflects on the difficult steps to get there. Swift is a remarkable example of antifragility. Not only does she withstand stress and shocks, but they make her stronger. Resources Mentioned There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift* by Kevin Evers Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Doing Better Than Zero Sum-Thinking, with Renée Mauborgne (episode 641) The Reason People Make Buying Decisions, with Marcus Collins (episode 664) How to Keep Improving, with Maurice Ashley (episode 697) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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• 738: How to Partner Well with AI, with Faisal Hoque

  Faisal Hoque: Transcend Faisal Hoque is an award-winning entrepreneur and innovator and founder of SHADOKA and NextChapter. He is a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the books: Reinvent, Everything Connects, and Lift. He has just released his newest book: Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI*. The most compelling use cases for AI aren’t people OR AI – it’s both. Leaders who learn how to partner with AI will almost certainly open doors that many others don’t. In this episode, Faisal and I explore (a few steps on) how to get started. Key Points While we think about working with AI as very different than working with people, similar mindsets and skill sets help us with both. Partnering well with AI means asking better questions and being genuinely interested in the answers. Experts are limited by their perspective. Beginners are open to possibilities. We should approach AI with a beginner’s mindset. Using AI well means getting more comfortable with uncertainty. We need to own our ignorance. Playful discovery helps with our intrinsic motivation to keep going. When using AI, find the fun that keeps you engaged. This technology will do the logical work far better than any human. To partner well, work to increase your emotional intelligence. Resources Mentioned Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI by Faisal Hoque Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Way to Be More Self-Aware, with Tasha Eurich (episode 442) Principles for Using AI at Work, with Ethan Mollick (episode 674) Becoming an AI-Savvy Leader, with David De Cremer (episode 710) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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• 737: How to Fundraise for Leaders Who Never Wanted to Fundraise, with Alice Ferris

  Alice Ferris: GoalBusters Alice Ferris is the Founding Partner of GoalBusters, a firm working to help small and mighty fundraising teams achieve big impact by planning practical strategies, teaching essential fundraising skills, and doing the hands-on work to turn vision into reality. She has more than 30 years of professional fundraising experience, specializing in strategic and development planning, campaign readiness and development program assessments, board and organizational training, executive leadership coaching, individual giving, and grant proposal evaluation. She’s also a graduate of the Coaching for Leaders Academy. Fundraising is not a word that sparks joy for most leaders. In fact, many people who do fundraising never planned to have that be part of their career. And yet, almost every leader has an aspect of fundraising in their professional or personal lives. In this conversation, Alice and I explore how to get better at it. Key Points Almost every leader is involved with fundraising in some capacity, either personally or professionally. It’s a myth that fundraising is just asking for money. Most fundraising activities happen outside of the ask. Consider fundraising goals for must-do activities, maintaining the current state, and aspirational growth. Most people share health issues with their immediate family and close friends. When your organization is facing headwinds, tell your donors how they can help. Dedicated attention to fundraising is key for both prioritization and relationship continuity. Connectors, experts, and closers are all essential roles in the fundraising process. Play to the strengths of both staff and volunteers to fill these roles well. Resources Mentioned Connect with Alice on LinkedIn GoalBusters Related Episodes How to Lead Top-Line Growth, with Tim Sanders (episode 299) How an Executive Aligns with a Board, with Joan Garry (episode 662) The Reason People Make Buying Decisions, with Marcus Collins (episode 664) Expert Partner Beginning a career transition? Feeling stagnant in your current role? Scott Barlow and his team may be able to help as official partners of Coaching for Leaders. To discover more about how his team can support you, get in touch on our expert partners page. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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• 736: How High Performers Land New Business, with Matt Dixon

  Matt Dixon: The Activator Advantage Matt Dixon is Founding Partner of DCM Insights, a global training and advisory firm, and a leading expert in business development and client experience. His first book The Challenger Sale was a #1 Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestseller, and translated in a dozen languages. His newest book with colleagues Rory Channer, Karen Freeman, and Ted McKenna is The Activator Advantage: What Today’s Rainmakers Do Differently*. At lot of us know the traits of the kind of person who’s successful at attracting new business. What many of us don’t know, is that what’s working today is actually different than what we traditionally think. In this conversation, Matt and I a take a detailed look at the professionals who are landing the most new business – and what they’re doing that works. Key Points The loyalty that once existed between professionals and their clients has changed substantially in recent years. A type of professional called an activator represents the highest performance in business development. Activators assume their best clients will leave at some point and are consistently working to build a pipeline of opportunities. Many professionals tend to protect client relationships. In contrast, activators actively bring colleagues into these relationships. Activators don’t wait for inquiries. They make opportunities happen by building relationships before paid work begins. Activators go way past birthdays and factual knowledge about others. They discover what’s important to their clients as individuals. Activators go way past “as is” content and work hard to thoughtfully connect it to a prospect or client’s situation. Resources Mentioned The Activator Advantage: What Today’s Rainmakers Do Differently* by Matt Dixon, Rory Channer, Karen Freeman, and Ted McKenna Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Surprising Truth About Influencing Others, with Daniel Pink (episode 84) How to Become the Person You Want to Be, with James Clear (episode 376) The Way to Earn Attention, with Raja Rajamannar (episode 521) Expert Partner Finding it hard to make an impression in a noisy marketplace? Many listeners have reached out to David Hutchens to help their organizations get traction through the power of story. If you’re planning an offsite or training to get better, get in touch with us to start the conversation with David or any of our other expert partners. Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

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