episode 30 - the word is prevail

For Episode 30 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is the verb to prevail.

I continue to reflect on what it means for a leader to have power and break down the definition of prevail into four imperatives of leadership power.

First, I discuss ‘the mastery imperative’, emphasising the importance of gaining mastery in one's field to stand out as a leader. I, then, explore ‘the safety imperative’, highlighting the need for leaders to be the prevalent feature that provides safety and stability for their teams. Next, I introduce ‘the community imperative’, stressing the importance of building a strong community of followers as a leader. Lastly, I outline ’the possibility imperative’, which involves persuading and inspiring others to believe in the limitless possibilities ahead.

I conclude with a, hopefully thought-provoking, question of the week asking you: "Are you prepared to prevail over yourself in order to lead others?"

episode 29 - the word is mercury

In episode 29 of ‘The Word is Leadership,’ we tackle the word mercury.

Inspired by Gordon Mackenzie’s delightful book ‘Orbiting the Giant Hairball’ I look at what it takes to navigate the complexities of organizations without getting stuck in them, along with the importance of maintaining the right distance to make an impact. I propose three key steps for anyone aspiring to leadership, or wanting to affect change: being good at their role, gaining perspective to avoid fixedness, and cultivating gravitas to engage senior leaders effectively.

As usual, I conclude with a question to encourage listeners to reflect on whether they possess the expertise, perspective, and gravitas necessary for success in their orbit.

episode 28 - the word is logos

In this new episode of "The Word is Leadership," I have to find insights using the random word ‘logos’ (defined as the rational principle expressed in words and things).

I discuss the significance of rhetoric in leadership, emphasizing Aristotle's three elements: logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (credibility) and look at how leaders can create followership as well as give examples of how they craft (last week’s word!) resonance using each of them.

I conclude by highlighting the importance of coherence, credibility, and emotional appeal in effective leadership communication, urging listeners to consider these factors in their own messages.

episode 27 - the word is craft

In Episode 27 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, I use our random word ‘craft’ to try to finally put to the bed the needless management versus leadership conversation.

Putting aside my dislike for quotes and memes, while reiterating my caution against blindly accepting and sharing them without verification, I mention Steve Jobs’ ideas about innovation and the iterative process of turning ideas into products, emphasizing the importance of craft in this journey.

Taking craft as the convergence of science and art, combining precision with imagination and experience with experimentation, I argue that it represents the blending of what is often perceived as "hard" and "soft" elements in leadership and management.

I challenge the distinction between leadership and management, describing it as a flawed and oversimplified caricature of reality, I argue for the need to see management and leadership as one for organizational success.

As always please I welcome your comments at thewordisleadership.com along with your ratings, subscriptions, likes and shares! 

episode 26 - the word is survey

For episode 26 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is survey.

Emmanuel highlights the significance and prevalence of surveys in organizational processes and offers the concept of working IN/ON/ OUT of the business as a way to understand whether we are surveying the right things that add the right value.

Akin to surveying a body, he explains that working "IN" involves performing tasks that bring immediate value, contrasting this with the survey of a house which entails working "ON" to build capabilities and processes for future value. Finally, he shows how to survey the landscape leaders need to work "OUT" by observing external factors to anticipate opportunities and disruptions.

Emmanuel emphasizes underscores the increasing significance of working "ON" and "OUT" as individuals progress, challenging listeners to reflect on whether they are effectively surveying the body, the house, and the landscape.

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episode 25 - the word is amiss

In episode 25 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ the random word ‘amiss’ helps us tackle a fundamental area of leadership - vision.

While there is an abundance of literature on the importance of having a vision and how to communicate it, there is a real scarcity of resources on how to formulate it.

In the context of leadership, a vision is essentially about hope, defined as goal + will + way.

To find a vision, I encourage leaders to reflect on what is amiss (i.e. aspects of the current situation that are incorrect, inappropriate, or defective), concluding, as usual with a question to prompt listeners to consider potential areas for improvement and envision a future state that addresses current deficiencies.

episode 24 - the word is palm

This week, for episode 24 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is ‘palm’.

We focus on the symbolism of the palm tree, drawing parallels between its resilience and ability to thrive in adverse conditions to the potential for leadership growth in any context.

Building on previous episodes, I emphasise the importance of a strong core (trunk) in leadership, supported by flexible roots and flourishing leaves. I underscore the necessity for leaders to develop their core values and adaptability while maintaining a clear vision of their impact.

 I outline the steps necessary to build a strong root and trunk system.

 As usual, I conclude the episode with a question to prompt listeners to reflect on their leadership approach and consider the strength and flexibility of their core values: ‘Are you a palm tree or a broom handle with dead leaves on top?’.

episode 23 - the word is grain

In this 23rd episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is ‘grain’.

Associating the notion of seed with change and the notion of the grain of the wood with resistance (as in going against the grin) Emmanuel focuses on unveiling why people resist change and what leaders can do about it.

Introducing the notion that not all change is resisted, using the mnemonic HURT, we discussed the elements that make some changes painful (Hurried, Unnecessary, Relentless, and Top-down). Emmanuel emphasises the importance of understanding the existing structure and social networks within organisations to transform potential irritating grains of change into pearls of progress.

The episode concludes with a thought-provoking question prompting leaders to reconsider their approach to change and embrace strategies that align with the existing organisational fabric. ‘Have you thought about going with the grain rather than against it to turn your grain of sand from an irritant to a pearl?’

episode 22 - the word is dumb

In this episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word of the week is dumb (lacking the power of human speech).

Delving into its leadership implications of the word, Emmanuel introduces the concept of leaders having the power to facilitate or impede speech. He identifies three crucial areas of impact: giving people a voice, a platform, and a mic.

Giving a voice highlights the importance of leaders helping individuals find their unique contributions by providing content, context, and confidence.

Giving a platform is about creating conditions where people feel safe and appreciated so they feel able to express their views is crucial.

Giving a Mic is about leaders ensuring that individuals' messages are not only heard by them but also reach the right audience.

Emmanuel concludes, someone colloquially, by challenging leaders to consider how ‘dumb’ they might be if they fail to give their team the power to speak.

episode 21 - the word is nectar

In this episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’, Emmanuel has to draw a leadership lesson from the random word: nectar. Highlighting the association between the word nectar and value, level he poses the question, ‘How do we find our nectar?’ emphasising the uniqueness that attracts others.

He looks at how listeners can uncover the core value (CV) that lies in their or their organisation's unique story, choices, successes, and struggles. Emmanuel emphasises that whatever your core competence is, it only becomes nectar if it creates value for others, attracting followers or customers just like nectar attracts bees.

He therefore warns against becoming caricatures of oneself by overly focusing on core competencies rather than combining these with what customers are looking for, ensuring this uniqueness translates into valuable nectar.

To prompt listeners to reflect on their unique value propositions the episode concludes with the question, ‘Do you understand what attracts bees to your nectar?’

episode 20 - the word is eagle

Another milestone as we reach episode 20 of ‘The Word is Leadership’. Our random word this week from which Emmanuel Gobillot derives leadership lessons is "eagle."

Emmanuel delves into the symbolism of the eagle in various cultures and summarises the appeal of eagle as a symbol of leadership with the words power (strength and reassurance), vision (seeing the bigger picture and planning for the future), and grace (creating a climate of effectiveness in the organisation).

However, Emmanuel challenges the notion that they, alone, are sufficient for leadership success by introducing the perspective of the pigeon. He suggests that the eagle's attributes are essential, leaders must also embody the pack mentality, street-fighting spirit, and agility of pigeons. He encourages leaders to reflect on the balance between soaring like an eagle and sweating like a pigeon, leaving the audience with the question, ‘Have you thought about your pigeon as you soar like an eagle?’.

episode 19 - the word is presume

In Episode 19 of "The Word is Leadership," Emmanuel unveils the randomly selected word for the week: presume. He draws a distinction between assuming and presuming, emphasising that presumption involves more confidence and evidence.

Illustrating with a story from his latest book ‘This is Not a Leadership Book’ he recounts a scenario where a high-performance leadership team faced a divergence of opinions regarding the future percentage of advertising going online based on different assumptions,

Emmanuel shows how we need to understand the continuum assuming-presuming-knowing, stressing the challenges of questioning presumptions compared to assumptions and the need for leaders to differentiate between the two.

He highlights the risks of using presume and assume interchangeably, emphasising the importance of clarifying what one thinks they know (presume) and what they do not know (assume). The episode concludes with the question, ‘How often do you know whether you presume or assume before you resume?’

episode 18 - the word is dismast

Episode 18 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ sees Emmanuel once again open his new dictionary (but this time accompanied by a new jingle) to select the random word dismast.

Despite his acknowledged limited knowledge of sailing, he draws parallels between avoiding dismasting in sailing and crisis management in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of meticulous planning, team coordination, and preparation to prevent crises.

However, given that, regardless of preparation, unexpected events will happen leaders need to recognise when to call for help and ask for assistance. Emmanuel highlights the difference between mistakes and failures as a way to gauge how to prepare effectively and respond appropriately.

episode 17 - the word is prelogical

In Episode 17 of "The Word is Leadership," we look at what the random word "prelogical" can teach us about leadership.

Using personal anecdotes from France and Sweden backed by psychological research into why we do what we from the US, I delve into the intricate relationship between logic and emotions.

We discuss the human tendency to simplify complex concepts by dividing logic and emotions and show how successful leadership is about understanding how both drive decision making.

To succeed in building trust and followership leaders need to understand emotional biases and how to generate prelogical responses. I conclude by emphasising the crucial role of emotional needs, safety, and hope in leadership, prompting leaders to reflect on the need and the importance to be prelogical in thinking about why anyone would want to follow them.

episode 16 - the word is mace

For this Episode 16 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, we keep our format but change our dictionary! However, the hope that this would lead to selecting new words was short lived as our random word is mace.

Contrasting the spiked club and the ceremonial staff of office, we explore the various forms of assertive power in leadership. By distinguishing between power that makes others feel smaller (spiky club) and power that uplifts and supports (staff of office), we look at the significance of understanding power as the ability to impact and influence and highlight the transformative potential of the socialised form of assertive power.

In this episode I encourage leaders to contemplate whether their leadership style wields a spiky club or carries a ceremonial mace, in order to create the gravitational tug we discussed in previous episodes.

episode 15 - the word is broil

In this 15th episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ the random word of the week is broil.

Emmanuel uses the definition of broil, to make a link between the uncontrolled/controlled use of fire and the responses leaders have to unexpected events and crises. He emphasises the need for leaders to master the skill of broiling (the dynamics of controlling and directing high heat) instead of engaging in aimless firefighting.

He explores the concept of broiling further by offering the equation E + r or R = O (where E represents the event, r stands for react, R denotes respond, and O signifies the outcome) as a way for leaders to navigate the challenges they face. The distinction between reactive reflexes and thoughtful responses is underscored, emphasizing the need for leaders to build processes and networks that will help them transition from aimless firefighting to controlled broiling.

episode 14 - the word is parish

In Episode 14 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is ‘parish’ prompting Emmanuel to highlight the dichotomy between the organisation (a formal structure such as a parish council) and the company (a social structure such as a religious parish), reminiscent of last week’s distinction between employees and companions.

The episode delves into the organisational challenges faced by leaders, emphasising the need for both the structure (organisation) and the social fabric (company). The term "parish" serves as a metaphor, encapsulating the duality of a district and a community, mirroring the dual nature of businesses requiring both organisational efficiency and social energy.

Despite the inherent tensions between the two components, as leaders, it is our role to reconcile both as they are needed for success. Emmanuel shows how to bridge this gap and create a thriving "parish," using three key levers leaving the audience with a thought-provoking perspective on organisational dynamics.

episode 13 - the word is companion

In Episode 13 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, our random word of the week is ‘companion’, defined as one who accompanies another.

Recounting the story of Jacques and the medieval "compagnonnage" guild, Emmanuel uses this movement, with its rites of passage and communal journeys, as a metaphor for the intertwined nature of organisational accountabilities and individual social identities.

The episode delves into the dichotomy between employees and companions, stressing the crucial link between engaged and committed individuals and the harmonious integration of organisational expectations and social roles.  

It encourages leaders to use clarity, standards, and commitment to guide individuals in understanding the broader goal, provide them with a compass for actions and nurture their strengths and capabilities.

This episode intertwines historical narrative, leadership philosophy, and actionable insights, encouraging leaders to reflect on their approach to those they lead.

episode 12 - the word is pride

Welcome to Episode 12 of "The Word is Leadership." Where this week’s random word is ‘pride’.

Instead of simply focusing on pride as an emotion, Emmanuel explores the word itself to demonstrate how, given the words we chose impact our emotions, whether you see pride as an underused or overused word, the truth is that, too often, it is simply the wrong word to use.

After exploring both the positive and negative aspects of pride such as providing a sense of self-worth or diminishing self-awareness, Emmanuel shows us how we can create better outcomes by altering the words we use.

The proposition is that by substituting "pleasure," "gratefulness," or "humility" for "pride," we can achieve the perceive benefits of pride without the risks associated with it. This shift in language allows leaders to acknowledge achievements without negative consequences.