In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Wendi Swanson about the DNA of a leader. 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
Wendi and Jonathan discussed the evolution of leadership, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and learned approaches, and the need for effective leadership in organizations. They highlighted the challenges of organizational alignment and the importance of awareness and collaboration among different departments, with a focus on creating engaging and psychologically safe environments. The conversation concluded with Wendi offering her services for assessments and planning, and both agreeing to stay connected and share their work with each other.
Evolution of Leadership and Inclusion
Wendi and Jonathan discussed the evolution of leadership, moving away from the traditional "great man" philosophy to a more inclusive and learned approach. They agreed that leadership is not solely determined by title or physical attributes, but rather by an individual's willingness to learn, grow, and lead. They also touched on the importance of recognizing introverted leaders and the need for further education in leadership studies. The conversation was set against the backdrop of Wendi's background as a strategic leadership consultant and Jonathan's role as a university professor and department chair in organizational leadership.
Effective Leadership and Employee Retention
Jonathan and Wendi discussed the importance of effective leadership in organizations. They highlighted that many leaders are not good leaders, and this can have a significant impact on employee engagement and retention. Wendi shared a conversation with a mentor, Bruce Herskovichy, who expressed a lack of patience for coaching due to the prevalence of bad leaders. Jonathan and Wendi agreed that trust is foundational to good leadership, and that the labor market's power dynamics are shifting, with employees having more leverage in the long run due to skill deficiencies. They concluded that employers need to adapt to these changes to retain their workforce.
Fostering Supportive Work Environments
Jonathan and Wendi discussed the importance of fostering a supportive work environment and the role of leadership in achieving this. Jonathan emphasized the need for leaders to create engaging and psychologically safe environments, and to develop their leadership skills through training and coaching. He also highlighted the importance of intellectual humility and staying curious in leadership development. Wendi agreed, noting the shift in leadership characteristics towards humility, empathy, and curiosity. They also touched on the challenges of transitioning from being a good salesperson to a good manager, and the need for proper training and delegation skills.
Effective Leadership in Challenging Times
Wendi and Jonathan discussed the importance of effective leadership and the challenges faced by organizations in the current environment. They agreed that there is a need for strong, courageous, and integrity-driven leaders who can respond to complex and changing situations. Wendi emphasized the importance of providing experiences that lead to immediate change rather than just providing information. She shared her approach of starting with awareness and using experiential exercises to help leaders understand the root causes of issues within their organizations. Jonathan agreed with Wendi's points and highlighted the need for effective leadership in the current challenging environment.
Addressing Organizational Alignment Challenges
Wendi and Jonathan discussed the challenges of organizational alignment and the importance of awareness and collaboration among different departments. Wendi shared her approach of having each department experience the gaps and misalignments, rather than just presenting the issue. Jonathan agreed, emphasizing that while departments may have different perspectives and goals, they all have the best interests of the organization at heart. He also highlighted the need for leadership to facilitate collaborative conversations. Wendi concluded that experiencing the issue firsthand is crucial for awareness and moving forward.
Listen to the webinar here:
