In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jennifer Nash about her book, Be Human, Lead Human, How to Connect People and Performance. 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 Dr. Jennifer Nash discussed the evolving role of a leader in the modern workplace, emphasizing the need for leaders to act as coaches and facilitators. They also highlighted the challenges organizations face in adapting to the changing nature of work and leadership, and the importance of good leadership in providing feedback and development opportunities. Lastly, they clarified the misconception that coaching involves giving advice, and stressed that it involves helping people realize their own potential.
Discussing Leadership and Book on Human Connection
Jonathan and Dr. Jennifer Nash discussed her recent book, "Be Human, Lead, Human, How to connect People and Performance". Jennifer, an executive advisor, leadership expert, and consultant, shared her background and experience working with Fortune 50 organizations. She also mentioned her role as the founder and CEO of Jennifer Nash Coaching and Consulting, and her 25-year career in executive and leadership roles at Deloitte and Ford Motor Company. The book aims to elevate leadership skills and enhance individual and organizational effectiveness. The motivation behind writing the book was to respond to repeated requests from clients for a compilation of information on leader effectiveness, with the goal of reaching more people and helping them improve their capabilities.
Adapting to the Changing Nature of Work and Leadership
Jonathan and Jennifer discussed the challenges organizations face in adapting to the changing nature of work and leadership. They expressed surprise at leaders trying to revert to pre-pandemic conditions, despite the valuable lessons learned about flexibility and adaptability during the pandemic. They attributed this resistance to change to human discomfort with change, financial implications, and the comfort of familiar methods. They concluded that a new leadership evolution is necessary, as the role of a leader has evolved with the future of work.
Evolving Role of Leaders in Modern Workplace
Jennifer and Jonathan discussed the evolving role of a leader in the modern workplace, emphasizing that leaders are now expected to act as coaches and facilitators. They noted the generational divide, with younger generations expecting constant feedback and coaching, which can sometimes be misinterpreted as entitlement. Jonathan stressed the importance of good leadership in providing feedback and development opportunities, viewing it as a key aspect of effective leadership rather than coddling. Jennifer highlighted the misconception that coaching involves giving advice, when in fact, it involves helping people realize their own potential. Jonathan shared his experience as a department chair at a university, where he leads a team of faculty members and also teaches a class on organizational development and change management. Both agreed that coaching is not about providing all the answers, but about supporting individuals as they work through their challenges.
Listen to the webinar here:
