Top Takeaways Tuesday Review: How to be an Adaptable Retail Leader
The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast, Ep. 52
Hello KSKOers
I really enjoyed my conversation with Daniel Astarita in episode 52 of The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast, especially being that Daniel’s background is poles apart from mine.
Daniel is the managing director of Kesslers, a renowned name in the retail design industry. We explored the challenges and successes of major organisational transformation, leadership, self-awareness and adaptability in the retail sector.
Here are my top takeaways from our conversation:
1.Importance of Self-Aware Leadership: Daniel talked to me about how his growing self-awareness has positively impacted his behaviour and emotions and changed the way he responds to his people. His commitment to reflection and constant self-improvement demonstrates the power that increased self-awareness has on leadership effectiveness. By acknowledging the influence that our actions have on others and continuously striving for improvement, we can create a better work environment for our people.
Reflection question: How can you incorporate reflective practice into your leadership style to encourage self-awareness?
2.Balancing Stakeholder Interests: We talked about the challenge of companies that prioritise customer needs over staff needs. Right now, Daniel treats all stakeholders equally - employees, customers, and shareholders. It’s important to maintain relationships because happy customers bring in income and happy staff retain customers. It’s an important eco-system to maintain. Understanding the diverse needs and priorities of stakeholders is essential for creating that sustainability
Reflection question: How can your organisations ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are equally prioritised and considered in your decision-making processes?
3.Adaptability and Innovation in Retail: As retail faces challenges like high staff turnover, increasing crime, and the impact of COVID-19, adaptability and innovation are critical characteristics for leaders in the industry to nurture and develop. We talked about the need for retailers to continuously evolve and respond to changing circumstances. We talked about the future of the high street too - listen in to find out more about what Nike are doing in New York.
Reflection question: How can you leverage adaptability and innovation to keep up to date with the evolving needs of your employees and stakeholders?
4: Employee Engagement and Retention: We talked about the importance of nurturing and engaging your workforce, particularly in the context of the ‘great resignation’. Daniel lives his value of prioritising employee engagement through taking a proactive approach to team building and open communication. Check out our conversation about employee voice.
Reflection question: How can you foster a culture of open communication and actively engage employees to improve your retention rates?
5: Leadership Traits for Success: We talked about leadership traits, the value of giving voice to internal colleagues, and the impact of the ‘great resignation’. They all shed a light on the evolving landscape of leadership in the retail industry. Daniel’s insights prompt consideration and reflection of the essential leadership qualities required to navigate the complexities of the retail sector.
Reflection question: What leadership traits and strategies can you implement to navigate the changing dynamics of your sector?
How can you use these top takeaways and reflection questions (TTRQ)?
Pick one of the TTRQs
Share it with you team
Ask for their thoughts and views
Reflect, discuss and debate
Get to know your own thoughts better. Help others to know their thoughts better. Get to know each other better.
Hope you enjoy the episode and find that these TTRQs generate interesting and awareness raising discussions!
Some other articles you might like to read…
In the Absence of Feedback, the Most Experienced People Presume the Negative by Admired Leadership
The Three Keys to Unlock Effective Communication by Dr. Jim Salvucci
Looking forward to having you on my learning journey!
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Nia is an expert leader who talks the talk and walks the walk. She is an academically awarded thought leader in self-aware leadership and practices self-aware leadership every single day in her role as a Director in a Children’s Charity.
Definitely worth a listen—two smart and knowledgeable people exchanging their leadership experience and wisdom. It was interesting to hear about leadership in the retail world, which is one I have not interfaced with professionally.
I am really looking forward to hearing this podcast!