The Accidental Leader

I am flying solo for this episode and am diving deep into a powerful email that hit my inbox. Join me as I unpack the wisdom it holds and its implications for leadership, culture, and tough conversations. As a leader wearing multiple hats, from president of a marketing company to serving on various boards, I often find myself navigating the delicate balance of nurturing a healthy culture while addressing challenging behaviors.

I kick off by exploring a thought-provoking quote: "A healthy meadow contains weeds as well as flowers,” an analogy that acts as a mirror reflecting our leadership and organizational cultures. Throughout the episode, I share insights into how a leader's tolerance for underperformance shapes the culture and why tough conversations that involve letting employees go sometimes need to happen, even if they are uncomfortable.

Drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned, I discuss the fear that often holds leaders back from taking action – the fear of losing clients, the fear of legal repercussions, or the fear of confrontation, but I also challenge listeners to shift their perspective and recognize that without necessary endings, both individuals and organizations remain stagnant and that leaders are doing a disservice not only to their companies but to the employee who isn't thriving but could thrive elsewhere. Not everyone is right for the job.

This episode is ultimately a candid exploration of leadership challenges and the courage required to address them head-on, so whether you're grappling with a toxic culture or seeking guidance on tough conversations, tune in for actionable insights and inspiration to cultivate a flourishing organizational meadow, and remember - the journey to effective leadership is ongoing, filled with both weeds and flowers.

Time Stamps:

[0:25] In episode 23, I am diving into leadership insights inspired by a significant email.

[3:09] Organizational culture hinges on the tolerance for negative behaviors.

[6:02] I further reflect on the profound impact of tolerating toxic behavior, urging action to maintain organizational balance.

[8:51] I address the fear of legal repercussions, emphasizing the need for perspective and HR guidance.

[10:23] I advise prioritizing culture and gaining perspective to address coaching issues and fear of confrontation.

[12:23] Hear an insightful quote from the book Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud.

[15:21] Coach first; fire last!

[18:28] I share an anecdote involving an employee who prioritized heroics over success, leading to termination.

[20:30] I close by discussing the importance of cultivating a healthy organizational culture, again likening it to a meadow with flowers.

Resources:

Henry Cloud - Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward

Welcome back to your favorite leadership podcast with your host, Bo McDonald! This episode is dedicated to the stutters of life, our self-imposed limitations and traumas that hold us in a vice - a tale intertwined with my journey and that of the unforgettable Scatman John!

Scatman John's story's connection with my own reveals similarities and gems about embracing our authentic selves and overcoming seemingly insurmountable barriers, so, join me as we dig into the grip of past traumas, the fear of vulnerability and how these affect the leadership path!

From my childhood classrooms to Scatman's John stuttering journey, I hope to illuminate lessons about overcoming what we think is holding us back and turning it into a catapult for extraordinary success. Get ready to redefine your setbacks into setups and awaken the dormant possibilities in your life. Here's to becoming better, not just as leaders but as individuals as a whole. Spoiler alert - every "stutter" has a silver lining!

Time Stamps:

[1:24] - I am reflecting on a song quote and how Ash Davis's book transformed my life.

[2:43] - I recollect childhood lessons about self-limitations and overcoming past traumas.

[4:08] - I discuss overcoming my public speaking trauma and embracing my leadership positions.

[6:14] - I spun Scatman John's upbeat hit at the skating rink, a song which made him rise from a struggling jazz musician to a global sensation.

[9:12] - Scatman John overcame a severe childhood stutter, taking a huge musical risk blending jazz, scat, dance, and hip hop, creating a new genre that resonated globally.

[11:13] - Scatman John, overcoming substance abuse and childhood questions, found clarity, realizing that his identity extended beyond his stutter.

[12:34] - I encourage you to redefine yourself beyond perceived limitations.

[14:47] - Scatman John transcended his stutter, receiving applause for his unique sound, proving that he was more than his perceived limitations.

[17:02] - In a keynote speech, Scatman John revealed that success didn't “fix” him; he just embraced being different.

[19:20] - I encourage reflecting on your own "stutters," reframing them as potential talents; past trauma shouldn't hinder progress.

[22:12] - It’s very important that leaders allow themselves to be vulnerable.

Resources Mentioned:

The Accidental Leader, Episode 3 - “Special Guest: Author and Speaker Ash Davis - Finding Joy In Our Journey”

A Life Through Letters: An Aging Father's Legacy, a Son's Revelation, the Birth of a Movement by Ashley Davis

Scatman John - “Scatman”

Scatman John’s Keynote Speech at the NSP Convention

Everyone tells themselves lies. These lies hold us back. Having the strength to push forward with truths is essential.

Today, I'm joined by Amber Harsin. Amber is the CEO at Prodigy. We have an eye-opening discussion about the lies Amber had told herself throughout her journey to leadership. She talks about how her attitude shifted from just wanting a seat at the table while not being the head of the table to being a CEO of a company.

Time Stamps:

[2:40] - Amber introduces herself.

[7:50] - When she was in High School, Amber never imagined she'd become a CEO.

[9:40] - Lean into the fear and try it.

[12:00] - Trust the people you know love you about the lies you tell yourself.

[15:40] - There's more to being a leader than having a degree.

[19:00] - Karen recounts how she became a leader.

[23:13] - When you're a leader, you have to be able to take risks.

[29:00] - Don't avoid risk. Manage it.

[31:30] - Karen remembers a specific polarizing leader who helped shape her as a leader.

[37:09] - Finding a balance between work and life is essential

A leader's root system is what makes them the leader they are today. Our root systems tell us what to do, how to react, communicate, and think about things. It's not a choice. It's how we were taught.

Today, I'm flying solo to discuss in-depth what a root system is. I get vulnerable and share a specific instance in my life that played a major role in negatively shaping the way I saw myself. And I detail what it took to stop seeing myself in that negative light.

Time Stamps:

[1:00] - Bo is flying solo for this episode.

[2:30] - Your root system is like wine.

[6:00] - Bo talks about a moment that shaped who he is.

[9:12] - Sometimes, you need to get out of your head.

[11:23] - Bo wonders what it would be like if he hadn't experienced a specific trauma.

[14:14] - Our root system tells us what to do.

[15:20] - What issue do you wish you could be better at?

Leadership and mental health isn't talked about often. It's uncomfortable and people often don't want to acknowledge it out of fear of it being perceived as a weakness. But when a leader is struggling with their mental health it's not a weakness.

Today, author Paul Gaumer joins me to discuss his experience struggling with his mental health. Paul is the COO of an Illinois Credit Union. Today, he describes how he pushes through when his Bipolar disorder is causing him to experience severe self-doubt.

Time Stamps:

[2:46] - Bo tells a little known story about Abraham Lincoln's mental health.

[7:00] - Paul introduces himself and recounts his past experiences with his mental health.

[10:05] - When Paul was at his lowest, he started going to church and thought everything was going to be better.

[11:50] - Every morning Paul wakes up with self doubt.

[14:30] - Looking back at everything his credit union had accomplished helps Paul quiet his self doubt.

[15:40] - Bo has two Johns who shaped his leadership and Paul has two Toms.

[18:33] - Paul tells a story about how he met his first Tom.

[21:40] - A good leader always reassures their employees that they deserve to have the job they have.

[22:30] - We hear about Paul's second Tom.

[25:20] - Leading by intimidation and deception is a recipe for unhappy employees.

[28:00] - Taking the time to get to know your employees is essential.

[32:43] - To be a good leader, you have to be willing to listen.

[37:31] - Paul recounts a story highlighting how to help someone struggling with their mental health.

[40:00] - The days of heavy handed leadership are gone.

Links:

Walk with the Light in the Shadows by Paul Gaumer