In this engaging episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli hosts NY Times Best Selling author and serial entrepreneur Dave Kerpen. The conversation focuses on Dave Kerpen’s most recent book, Get Over Yourself: How to Lead and Delegate Effectively for More Time, More Freedom, and More Success.

In the episode, Dave Kerpen emphasizes the importance of strategic delegation, sharing personal anecdotes and practical insights that underscore how effective delegation can lead to greater freedom and success professionally and personally.

The conversation explores common delegation pitfalls, such as leaders' reluctance to delegate or their tendency to micromanage once they do. Kerpen's share model is highlighted as a key framework, focusing on strategy, hiring, and resource management. By entrusting tasks to their teams and empowering them, leaders can concentrate on strategic priorities, fostering both organizational and personal growth.

Dave Kerpen also discusses the impact of the hybrid work environment on delegation, urging leaders to focus on outcomes rather than physical presence. This shift in mindset, along with embracing AI and other technological advancements, can enhance productivity and enable leaders to strike a better work-life balance.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn how Dave Kerpen's challenging childhood shaped his unique leadership philosophy and work ethic.
• Hear how to avoid common delegation pitfalls and find a balance between micromanaging and doing everything yourself.
• Discover the three key areas every leader should focus on: strategy and vision, hiring the right people, and ensuring access to resources.
• Find out why failing to delegate effectively can impact your work-life balance and lead to personal regrets.
• Understand the importance of setting clear boundaries for work hours to prioritize life over work.
• Explore the benefits of delegating outcomes rather than tasks to foster creativity and ownership in your team.
• Learn the difference between managing and coaching, and how adopting a coaching mentality can support and encourage your team.
• Uncover practical strategies for building trust gradually with your team through small delegations and simple metrics.
• Get insights into how hybrid work environments and technological advancements like AI are transforming delegation practices.
• Discover how to use 'I' statements for giving corrective feedback, fostering a more supportive and constructive work environment.

Connect with the Dave Kerpen

Dave Kerpen Website

Dave Kerpen LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jonah Berger, Wharton School professor and internationally bestselling author of Magic Words, Contagious, Invisible Influence, and The Catalyst. In the conversation, Jonah Berger talked about the role of influence in our lives and leadership. He explained why influence is a tool and how to use it for positive impact. Jonah Berger then addressed the role of language in influencing others, and the six types of research supported magic words for influence. Next, Jonah Beger shared the role of confidence in influence and how to use it appropriately, depending on the situation. Finally, Jonah Berger talked about the power of storytelling, the language of similarity and difference, and how to use personal hedges to show openness to other perspectives.

Some highlights:

- Why influence is neither positive nor negative

- How words influence behavior

- The research behind the power of 'because'

- How leaders can use influence for good

- The six types of magic words to influence

- How our environment impacts our behaviors

- How the language used in emails can predict whether you are likely going to get promoted or get fired

- The role that words can play in identity and agency

- The importance of certainty to influence and how to do it right

- How leaders can use influence to move their organization in a good direction.

- The one type of question that makes you seem more intelligent and competent.

- The Power of words in influencing others

- Leaders should be aware of the power of words and their use in influencing others

- The importance of follow-up questions and how to do them well

- What do the best storytellers do differently than the others

- How to lead for positive influence

Connect with Jonah Berger:

Jonah Berger Website

Jonah Berger on LinkedIn

Magic Words on Amazon

Mentioned:

Partnering Leadership conversation with Warren Berger on the Power of Questions and Questioning

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Barbara Kellerman, a renowned expert in leadership, Harvard Kennedy School Professor, and a prolific author. Kellerman's latest book, Leadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers, serves as the focal point of this discussion. With decades of research and a unique perspective on the dynamics of leadership, Kellerman challenges conventional wisdom and sheds light on often-overlooked aspects of leadership and followership.

From the outset, Kellerman captivates with her critical examination of why the leadership industry tends to ignore the darker sides of leadership. She goes into the complex interplay between leaders and followers, emphasizing that bad leadership is seldom the result of one individual's actions alone. Her insights into the roles of enablers and the broader context within which leaders operate offer a fresh and necessary perspective for today's CEOs and senior executives.

Kellerman's engaging anecdotes and examples, ranging from corporate boardrooms to political arenas, illustrate the intricate dance between power, authority, and influence. She highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics to navigate the increasingly complex leadership landscape effectively.

The conversation also explores the diminishing power and authority of leaders in modern organizations, replaced by the need to master influence. Kellerman offers actionable insights on how leaders can cultivate this skill by deeply understanding their followers and the contexts in which they operate. This episode is not just a discussion; it is a masterclass in rethinking leadership in the 21st century.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn why the leadership industry often avoids discussing bad leadership and the implications of this oversight.
• Hear how understanding the role of followers is crucial in holding leaders accountable and driving positive change.
• Discover the importance of examining the entire leadership system, including enablers and context, to truly understand leadership failures.
• Understand why leadership cannot be reduced to a few simple lessons and the importance of lifelong learning in leadership development.
• Explore the diminishing authority of leaders and the rising importance of influence in effective leadership today.
• Gain insights into the challenges of leading in a world where power dynamics have drastically shifted due to cultural and technological changes.
• Find out how leaders can balance accessibility and authority to maintain effective leadership.
• Learn about the critical role of followership in both enabling and challenging bad leadership.
• Discover strategies for creating an organizational culture that supports transparency and accountability in leadership.
• Hear examples of how successful leaders navigate the complexities of modern leadership environments.

Connect with Barbara Kellerman

Leadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers

Barbara Kellerman Website

Barbara Kellerman LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website