In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Therese Gopaul-Robinson about pushing through fear to create the future you want. See a summary of the conversation below. Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Jonathan and Therese discussed the challenges of leadership, the importance of understanding employees' motivations and developing necessary soft skills, and the potential consequences of not setting individuals up for success in their roles. They emphasized the need for creativity in career development, the importance of thinking creatively and pushing through fear, and the importance of developing a leadership mindset within the team. Lastly, they highlighted the issue of low confidence in the workplace and the need for organizations to seize opportunities to help their team members grow.
Continuous Leadership Development Challenges
Jonathan and Therese discussed the challenges of leadership and the need for continuous development in leadership skills. They talked about the importance of understanding why an employee wants to take on a leadership role and developing the necessary soft skills for success. They also discussed the potential fallacies in promoting an individual contributor into a leadership role, such as replicating their skills in others and the potential for setting them up for failure. Therese highlighted the need for alternative pathways for career progression and the importance of recognizing the unique strengths and personalities of employees.
Empowering Leadership Through Creative Career Paths
Therese and Jonathan discussed the importance of setting individuals up for success in their roles, particularly in leadership positions. They highlighted the potential consequences of not doing so, such as losing valuable contributors and their associated knowledge and relationships. They also emphasized the need for creativity in career development, suggesting that there should be alternative pathways to success outside the traditional hierarchical structure. Therese shared an example of an organization that successfully utilized an employee's expertise in implementing new resources within their CRM and ATS systems, demonstrating the potential for innovation and advancement in roles beyond traditional leadership positions.
Creative Career Development and Compensation
Therese and Jonathan discussed the importance of thinking creatively and pushing through fear in career development. They highlighted the pressure of financial responsibilities and the need for personal growth, using the example of a friend who felt trapped in a management role. They suggested that organizations should consider alternative career paths and compensation structures that align with individuals' strengths and desires, rather than adhering to traditional career progression. They also emphasized that while money is important, it is not the primary motivator for long-term retention and engagement in a job.
Leadership Mindset for Team Growth
Therese and Jonathan discussed the importance of developing a leadership mindset within their team, regardless of title or position. They acknowledged the challenges and obstacles faced by team members, but emphasized the potential for growth and influence. Jonathan highlighted the need for individuals to take control of their own futures and create the future they desire, despite the limitations they may face. Therese agreed, noting the unique opportunity for development within the organization. They both expressed gratitude for the opportunities available today, despite the challenges.
Addressing Low Confidence in Workplace
Therese and Jonathan discussed the issue of low confidence in the workplace, which they agreed was a widespread problem affecting not just individuals but also the organization as a whole. They highlighted the domino effect of low confidence, which can impact innovation, difficult conversations, and the bottom line. Therese emphasized the need to move away from viewing confidence issues as a personal problem and instead recognize it as a collective issue that requires attention and support. She also pointed out the lack of training and development opportunities for employees, particularly in leadership roles, as a significant contributor to low confidence. The conversation concluded with Therese suggesting that organizations should seize this opportunity to be creative and help their team members grow, which does not necessarily mean a title change.
Listen to the webinar here:
