In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Victoria Trammel about leadership and self-deception. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Jonathan and Victoria discussed the impact of self-deception on leadership and the importance of consistent self-reflection for effective leadership. They shared their personal experiences and emphasized the need for understanding others, being curious about their actions, and overcoming human tendencies and past experiences. The discussion also highlighted the importance of intellectual humility, empathy, and active listening in leadership, and the upcoming book "Leadership and Self Deception" was mentioned as a further exploration of these themes.
Leadership, Self-Deception, and Victoria's Journey
Jonathan and Victoria discussed the topic of leadership and self-deception. Victoria, a seasoned leadership consultant with almost two decades of experience in the Intelligence community, shared her career journey from joint counterterrorism operations to her current role. She explained how she transitioned into her current role after reading the Arbinger Institute's book on leadership and self-deception and realizing she had much to learn. Victoria also highlighted the opportunities and responsibilities that leaders have in facilitating growth and development.
Overcoming Self-Deception in Teams
Victoria and Jonathan discussed the impact of self-deception on their teams, organizations, and personal lives. They both shared their realization of how their own self-deception caused problems and acknowledged the need for internal work to overcome this. They emphasized the importance of understanding others and being curious about their actions. They also recognized that this is a lifelong process and that progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Effective Leadership and Self-Reflection
Jonathan emphasized the importance of consistent self-reflection and intentional leadership for effectiveness. He noted that leadership is challenging but not rocket science, and that it requires continuous effort and practice to overcome human tendencies and past experiences. Victoria agreed, highlighting that effective leadership is not about following a set of prescribed behaviors, but about helping others achieve their objectives for collective success. They also discussed the concept of self-deception, where individuals may not realize their own contributions to problems, which can lead to poor decision-making.
Addressing Low Morale and Trust
Victoria discussed their leadership style, which was shaped by a desire to protect their team from the government. However, this approach led to low morale and trust within the organization, as pointed out by Jonathan. Jonathan suggested that understanding each other's perspectives and breaking free from negative mindsets could help the organization work together more effectively. Victoria agreed, highlighting how employees may view changes in policy as a reflection of corporate indifference, which can further entrench negative attitudes.
Understanding Employee Perspectives for Team Dynamics
Victoria discussed a past experience with an employee who was perceived as a problem within the team. Initially, Victoria was convinced that the employee was the issue due to her performance, engagement, and communication. However, after some reflection, Victoria began to question whether she was contributing to the problem. He realized the importance of understanding the employee's perspective, her personal and professional challenges, and whether he was communicating effectively and creating a safe space for her to share her issues. The discussion underscored the need for leaders to be curious, empathetic, and willing to listen to feedback to improve team dynamics.
Leadership, Self-Reflection, and Intellectual Humility
Jonathan and Victoria discussed the importance of intellectual humility and self-reflection in leadership. They emphasized that asking the right questions can be more powerful than having the right answers, and that self-deception can hinder effective leadership. Victoria shared the upcoming book, "Leadership and Self Deception," which explores these themes further. She also encouraged the audience to connect with them for more information and to ask two fundamental questions: how can I be more helpful, and how have I been making things more difficult?
Listen to the webinar here:
