When most people say they want to “be authentic,” what they really mean is they want to be comfortable, says Dr. Laura Sicola.

But “comfort zones and authenticity have nothing to do with each other when it comes to real performance,” she says.

Laura Sicola is a cognitive linguist, communication expert, speaker, and coach who helps leaders become master influencers. Her TEDx presentation, “Want to Sound Like a Leader?” has been viewed approximately 7 million times.

Laura joins Daniel and Peter today for a deep dive into authenticity and the myths around what it means to be an authentic leader.

Tune in to learn:

• Why discomfort is so important to becoming a more influential leader
• What sound boards can teach us about authenticity
• When code switching is healthy–and when it’s not

Anyone who wants to grow is going to experience discomfort, Laura says. “Embrace the opportunity to consistently challenge yourself in ways that are healthily uncomfortable,” she says.

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at podcast@stewartleadership.com.

In this episode:

1:03 – Introduction: Dr. Laura Sicola

2:07 – What Authenticity is NOT

6:50 – Authentic Adaptation

13:07 – The Leadership “Mixing Board”

18:16 – Preferences vs. Values

24:25 – Generational Authenticity

32:04 – Closing Thoughts

Resources:

Dr. Laura Sicola’s Website

“Want to Sound Like a Leader? Start by Saying Your Name Right,” TEDx Talk

Speaking to Influence: Mastering Your Leadership Voice, Amazon

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

Six Secrets to Your Leadership Growth

5 Executive Presence “Superpowers” of Introverted Leaders

6 Tips to Master the Language of Executive Presence

5 Tips to Help You Lead a Global Team

6 Tips to Build a Learning Organization

The Importance of Body Language in Executive Presence

10 Tips That Will Improve Your Presentation Skills

Here Come the Zoomers!

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Imagine being “paid to judge people”!

That’s how today’s guest jokingly describes his role. Tom Verboven is a Senior Director of Client Success at Mercer Talent Enterprise, where he advises clients on how to drive value through effective human capital strategies.

In this conversation with Daniel and Peter, Tom offers his insights and advice for navigating a leadership assessment landscape that now includes artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Tune in to learn:

• Three shifts in leadership assessment over the last decade
• Three steps leaders should take as they use assessments in the future
• One thing leaders should do to establish an accurate standard of success

We need to embrace both the human and the technological, Tom says. “In the end, a leader is a human and needs to do good with other humans,” he concludes.

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at podcast@stewartleadership.com.

In this episode:

:48 – Introduction: Tom Verboven

3:07 – Topic: AI’s Impact on Leadership Assessment

8:30 – The Changing World of Assessment

16:00 – The AI Avatar Experience

22:44 – Can AI Be Too Accurate?

25:03 – Steps for Leaders to Understand the Assessments of the Future

28:09 – Caution Around AI for Assessments

31:42 – The One Thing for a Leader to Establish an Accurate Standard of Success

Resources:

Tom Verboven LinkedIn

Mercer Talent Enterprise

Kahneman, D., Rosenfield, A., et al (2016, October). Noise: How to Overcome the High, Hidden Cost of Inconsistent Decision Making. Harvard Business Review.

What Are the Big 5 Personality Traits?, Very Well Mind

Behind the Headline: Unpacking the Reported Drop in Conscientiousness

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

7 Principles for Character Driven Leadership

The Advantages of an Online 360° Assessment

Six Ways to Leverage the Power of 360° Assessments for Your Leaders

When Should I Use a Lead Now! Assessment?

The Leadership Self-Assessment Question You Need

Stewart Leadership Assessment Services

Stewy: Your AI Leadership Coach

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

No one attends a team offsite wanting it to be a failure, says Daniel. Unsuccessful offsites are perceived as “a bad waste of time.”

So what makes an offsite successful–and how can an offsite have a lasting, positive impact on your team or organization?

In this episode, Daniel and Peter break down the elements of a successful team offsite and give suggestions for how to make your next one the best yet.

Tune in to learn:

• The value of including all participants in the planning process
• What an offsite is NOT good for
• Important ground rules that help guide discussion

Plus, some reflections on an insightful quote from Robert Frost, including what it says about delegation and manager wellbeing.

Questions, comments, or topic ideas? Drop us an e-mail at podcast@stewartleadership.com.

In this episode:

:50 – Insight of the Week

5:23 – Topic: How to Have a Successful Team Offsite

9:46 – The Right Preparation

17:10 – The Right People

20:11 – The Right Facilitator

28:43 – The Great Pivot

32:43 – Ground Rules

37:10 – Lightning Round

Resources:

Robert Frost Biography, The Poetry Foundation

Stewart Leadership Insights and Resources:

How to Hold a Great Strategic Planning Offsite Meeting

6 Reasons Your Next Meeting Should Be an Offsite

Why Your Offsite Needs an Outside Facilitator

How Offsites Can Jumpstart Leadership Development

5 Ways Leaders Can Better Manage Feeling Overwhelmed

The Manager Crisis: 3 Areas that Need Attention

How to Delegate Like a Pro

If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague, or, better yet, leave a review to help other listeners find our show, and remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

For more great content or to learn about how Stewart Leadership can help you grow your ability to lead effectively, please visit stewartleadership.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.