In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Scott Clancy about leadership development, talent management, and taking care of your team. 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 Scott discussed the challenges organizations face in developing leaders, emphasizing the importance of having a deliberate and intentional talent management system. They also highlighted the significance of trust, competence, and humility in leadership roles, and the need for leaders to create a dynamic, psychologically safe learning environment for team development. Lastly, they underscored the importance of teamwork, leadership, and trust in military contexts, and the role of a leader in inspiring their team towards a common goal.
Addressing Leadership Development Challenges
Jonathan and Scott discussed the challenges organizations face in developing leaders. They agreed that organizations often promote individuals to leadership positions without providing them with the necessary coaching, mentoring, or training. This can lead to individuals being promoted to their level of incompetence, as described by the Peter principle. Scott emphasized the importance of having a deliberate and intentional talent management system, which includes exposing potential leaders to supervisory roles, providing feedback, and assessing their ability to learn from mistakes. Jonathan agreed, highlighting the need for organizations to invest in their leaders to ensure their success in their roles.
Leadership Qualities and Trust in Military Context
Jonathan and Scott discussed the importance of trust, competence, and humility in leadership roles, particularly in the military context. They emphasized the need for leaders to be competent, intelligent, and curious, but not necessarily experts in every area. They highlighted the importance of trust in leadership, stating that it is not automatically granted due to position authority. Instead, trust must be earned and maintained through mutual accountability and open communication. They also discussed the role of professional development in fostering these qualities in leaders.
Creating a Dynamic Learning Environment for Team Growth
Jonathan discussed the importance of creating a dynamic, psychologically safe learning environment for team development, emphasizing the need for intentionality, trust, and investment in people. He highlighted the significance of servant leadership, focusing on developing team members to reach their full potential. Jonathan also underscored the importance of caring for the team, suggesting that this approach not only benefits the team but also the leader's career. He encouraged a mindset shift from self-centeredness to team-centeredness, asserting that this approach leads to better performance and career growth.
Teamwork, Leadership, and Inspired Execution in Military
Scott and Jonathan discussed the importance of teamwork and leadership in military contexts. Scott emphasized that military training focuses on creating teams rather than individual leaders, and that good leaders care deeply for their teams. He also highlighted the concept of "inspired execution," where individuals are tied to a shared vision through their development. Scott used his experience as a lieutenant colonel planning operations for Afghanistan as an example, where he tied individual development to a lofty vision of training and deployment. The conversation underscored the challenges of achieving such a vision and the importance of leadership in overcoming them.
Trust in Leadership and Personal Development
Scott and Jonathan discussed the importance of trust in leadership. Scott emphasized the need for leaders to trust their team members from the start, acknowledging that they have to earn the trust of their team. He also highlighted the significance of personal development and the role of a leader in inspiring their team towards a common goal. Jonathan agreed with Scott's points, adding that trust is not a binary concept and that leaders should be curious and caring towards their team.
Listen to the webinar here:
Comments