The Cranky Middle Manager Show #082 (MP3 11.5MB 34:40 Min)

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If you go through the archives for this show, (and if you haven’t you really ought to) you know that we always ask our guests for other resources we can explore. These might be books, blogs, websites or other podcasts. Well, one of the most-cited resources is The Leadership Challenge, by Kouzes and Posner.

Today we have the Kouzes half of the team, and I couldn’t be happier. Yes, Jim Kouzes graces our show ( a thousand blessings on the house and camels of Marshall Goldsmith for helping set this up). He was a gracious, terrific guest and even if, like me, you’re kind of “leadershipped out”, you’ll find much to enjoy.

Please Note, in the show we promise a list of links, but it was too long so email me and I’ll gladly send it to you! More at the end of the show notes.
Show Notes

0:00 Welcome to Episode 82 of the Cranky Middle Manager Show and the semi-noble calling of Middle Management. If you’ve been listening of late, you’d think this show was only about Leadership. Well that’s one one of 4 disciplines managers have to master, as we lay out each year in our manifesto. Leadership is only one of them, but the one we seem to have focused on of late. We’ll give more attention to the others in coming weeks, but when you get someone of Jim Kouzes’ stature willing to talk to you, you grab it. Et voila….

2:35 Since leadership has its sunny and dark sides, we look at someone who exemplifies both- the Dowager Empress Cixi of China. Besides rising from concubine to Empress, she had to make the tough decisions when everyone else was basically scared to death of the Europeans who were taking over China. The job of leader ain’t all roses…

3:50 Saying on the theme of light and dark side leaders, Napoleon said ” a leader is a dealer in hope”. Hard to argue, even when it ain’t easy…

4:45 Welcome Jim Kouzes, adding a huge dash of credibility to our show. What’s driving this trend/fascination with the subject of leadership? Demographics are part of it to be sure, at least in much of the world that’s listening to this show. For every ten people in your pool, maybe one has real management potential. Look around, if you see 9 idiots, you’d better step up.

8:32 What exactly is leadership and what do leaders do? It’s a set of skills and abilities, according to their studies, and you can learn it. There’s a big movement in high schools and universities to teach leadership, and about time.

10:30 Who do young people- especially those in other countries look to as role models? Look around the dinner table, cause you’re it. It’s just as tough at work- most people cite their immediate manager as their role model. Sleep well….

13:37 So what are the behaviors and qualities of leadership? 25 years of research show the qualities are:

• Honesty
• Forward-Looking
• Competent
• Inspiring

And to get there you have to

• Model the way
• Inspire a shared vision
• Challenge people to step up
• Enable others to act
• Encourage the heart (Reward and recognition)

17:25 Jim takes a look at some real world examples you might never have heard of. Lee Er Chen (sp?), for example, focused on understanding her core critical beliefs, to listen to her own voice. Juan Gonzalez talked about making the effort to interact with others, which led to great insight. It’s the little things you DO that demonstrate leadership. He gives a great example at a bank call center- and if anything will suck the will to live out of you, it’s managing a call center.

25:25 Is leadership born or made? That’s the biggest myth about the topic. It can be developed and is worth the effort. Expertise is not about talent, it’s about practice and commitment…. that’s how you become a leader. 10,000 hours, to be precise, and it doesn’t pay overtime.

29:25 What does the guy who is most quoted go for resources? Besides his own website, he suggests:

Marshall Goldsmith’s “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There” (and you can hear him talk about here if you haven’t already).

Required Reading: James MacGregor Burns books on leadership.
PLEASE NOTE:

On the show we promised a list- well when he sent it there were 4 Pages of material so here’s what I suggest- If you’re interested in the reading list (and you should be) Drop me an email and I’ll be happy to send it to you. It’s the most comprehensive reading list I’ve ever seen on the topic!
Want to hear more? He’s willing to come back and talk more if you enjoy it so let us know! Post to the blog, or drop me an email to wayne@crankymiddlemanager.com.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 8th, 2007 at 1:56 pm and is filed under General, Podcast. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.