In this episode of The Science of Leadership, Tom Collins is joined by West Point instructor and leadership expert Doug Crandall to discuss a core trait of great leaders: building people. Doug introduces the concept that leaders are always either building people up or diminishing them. He defines a builder as a leader who makes people feel more capable, more confident, and more valued.

Doug shares powerful personal stories, including one about Colonel Casey Brewer (now General), who went out of his way to affirm Doug early in his career and even quietly corrected a spelling mistake in an email before forwarding it to the entire department. This small act of grace built immense trust and demonstrated the profound impact of tiny, intentional actions.

The conversation delves into the "builder's mindset," which Doug attributes to relentlessly focusing on positive thinking about the people you lead. He offers practical advice on how to develop this mindset, including:

• Cutting off negative thoughts before they complete themselves.
• The profound impact of believing you've "never met a bad cadet" (or employee/player).
• The psychological reality of the Pygmalion Effect: people rise—or fall—to the level of expectation set for them.

Doug emphasizes that true builders are "relentlessly positive and unapologetically demanding". However, he warns that high standards without assurance of capability lead to burnout and cynicism. Citing neuroscience, he explains that sustained positive and optimistic thinking literally reshapes the brain and changes how we perceive and interact with others.

Also, I am excited to announce the release of my new book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me!

To learn more about the Science of Leadership, visit https://www.fourstarleaders.com/

References

• Crandall, D. (Ed.) (2009). Leadership lessons from West Point. Jossey-Bass.
• Gladwell, M. (2007). Blink: The power of thinking without thinking. Back Bay Books.
• Newberg, A., & Waldman, M. R. (2013). Words can change your brain: 12 conversation strategies to build trust, resolve conflict, and increase intimacy. Avery.

In this timely and timeless episode of The Science of Leadership, hosts Tom Collins and Justin Hamrick dive into the vital importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect. Inspired by a personal conversation with his son, Tom confronts the damaging mindset of withholding respect until it is "earned."

The hosts delineate two critical forms of respect:

• Earned Respect: Deep admiration based on achievements, qualities, or abilities (e.g., respecting Michael Jordan for his accomplishments). This is contingent on the observer's value system.
• Owed Respect: Due regard and honor for a person's intrinsic value and humanity. This is irrespective of an observer's opinion or values.

The conversation emphasizes that true leadership requires giving owed respect universally. Withholding it dehumanizes others and makes it impossible to lead (only coerce). The hosts cite studies showing that respected employees are more satisfied, loyal, resilient, creative, and productive. Conversely, disrespectful treatment leads to rumination, decreased effort, and sabotage.

The episode concludes with actionable steps for leaders on how to show respect, including: actively listening to be persuaded , valuing a person's time, and respecting their perspective even when you disagree without demeaning them.

Also, I am excited to announce the release of my new book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me!

To learn more about the Science of Leadership, visit https://www.fourstarleaders.com/

Key References

Grenny, J. Patterson, K., McMillan, R., Switzler, A., and Gregory, E. (2021). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high, 3rd ed. McGraw-Hill.

Huo, Y. J., and Binning, K. R. (2008). Why the psychological experience of respect matters in group life: An integrative account. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 2(4), 1570-1585.

Rogers, K. (2018). Do your employees feel respected? Harvard Business Review, 96(4), 62-71.

In this episode of The Science of Leadership, host Tom Collins sits down with Amanda Schagane, an expert in leadership and organizational development at the University of Kentucky HealthCare. They explore the idea that effective communication is the most vital leadership skill, calling it a "superpower" that is often underdeveloped.

Amanda defines effective communication not just as the ability to convey a message, but as the ability to do so in a way that is understood and inspires the right actions. She asserts that communication is the "delivery system for leadership" , and a reflection of a leader's mindset. A leader's effectiveness as a communicator determines how well their vision, expectations, and feedback are received.

The conversation highlights key takeaways:

• Trust and Psychological Safety: Effective communication, which includes intentional listening and respectful debate, is essential for building trust and psychological safety.
• Beyond Words: Communication isn't just about what is said; it is also about tone, timing, and non-verbal cues. When a leader's tone is dissonant with their message, it can totally derail the intended communication.
• Actions Align with Words: The most effective leaders communicate through consistent behavior, where their actions match their words, which fosters a culture of integrity and trust.

Amanda shares a powerful story of a senior leader at UK HealthCare who, by modeling vulnerability and listening to her frontline managers, created a safe space that led to a significant increase in confidence and improved collaborative decision-making. The hosts conclude with practical tips for improving communication, including pausing before responding, asking open-ended questions, giving specific praise, and regularly following up. Also, I am excited to announce the release of my new book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me!

Key References:

Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. L. (2002). Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic findings and implications for research and practice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 611–628. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.4.611

Duhigg, C. (2024). Supercommunicators: How to unlock the secret language of connection. Random House.

Gallup, Inc. (2023). State of the global workplace: 2023 report. Gallup.

Goleman, D. (1998). What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review, 76(6), 93–102.

Ruben, B. D., & Gigliotti, R. A. (2016). Leadership as Social Influence. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 23(4), 467–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051816641876