Top Takeaways Tuesday Review: Behaviour, Power & High Expectations - Maximising Your Impact as a Leader
The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast, Ep. 56 with Rob Thomas
Hello KSKOers
I had a great conversation with Rob Thomas in episode 56 of The Knowing Self Knowing Others Podcast. We talked about the real life lessons of a healthcare leader on the journey of self-aware leadership and how recognition of your impact sets the tone for your reputation and your organisation. Here are my top takeaways from our conversation…
1. Embracing a Speak-Up Culture: We talked about the importance of fostering a workplace environment where everybody feels empowered to speak up is paramount. Rob’s insights on creating a culture of disclosure and reporting of near misses in healthcare settings shed light on the significance of open communication for ensuring safety and how sharing risks and near misses gives us the opportunity to learn. Rob shared the story of Elaine Bromiley, and how a culture that stifled speaking-up ultimately led to her avoidable death.
Reflection questions: How can you encourage a speak-up culture in your organisation and break down barriers to communication?
“…eliminating the power gradient in the theatre can have the most profound impact on safety”
2. The Influence of Expectations on Performance: We talked about the Pygmalion effect, which is all about the impact of expectations on individual performance. When we encourage others to reach high standards by communicating and behaving as if they can, it gives them the impetus and confidence to reach those heights.
Reflection question: How can you harness the Pygmalion Effect to set high expectations that foster a culture of self-actualisation and positive impact on performance and self-worth within your team or organisation?
3. Self-Aware Leadership and Behaviour Modelling: We talked about the impact leaders have on the behaviour of others, by the behaviour they model. Rob referred to behaviour as being contagious. Unfortunately, bad stuff spreads quicker than good stuff, so we have to be mindful of our behaviour all of the time.
Reflection question: How can you model positive behaviour to foster respectful and creative working relationships in your organisation?
“I'm most mindful of the the example that I'm setting because it's contagious.”
4. Navigating Power Gradients and Cultivating Inclusivity: Flattening power gradients is an important considerations for leaders wanting to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity in their organisations. Consider the cultural nuances of your organisation, who holds the power and how power is wielded. Once you understand your power in the mix, then can you seek to change it for your whole organisation.
Reflection question: What steps can you take to address power differentials within your team or organisation?
You can also watch this podcast on YouTube
5. The Ever-Evolving Journey of Self-Awareness in Leadership: Our conversation emphasised the ongoing nature of self-aware leadership and the continuous effort needed for personal growth and development. Cultivating a growth mindset helps to identify and capitalise on opportunities for learning and growth.
Reflection question: How can you ensure self-awareness becomes a part of your regular professional development activities?
“…just because we know what self awareness is and we know how to be a self aware leader, it does not mean it's easy, and you have to work at it every day, and it is an ongoing journey.”
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!
Looking forward to having you on my learning journey!
__________________________
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.