Randy Cantrell

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:44 — 37.3MB)

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A lack of understanding is never an advantage. Now armed with facts, figures, and other forms of knowledge, leaders need to use that knowledge in making wise decisions. That’s impossible if we don’t understand. 

Understanding answers many questions, most importantly, “Why?” 

Today, Lisa and I talk about the power of understanding with stories from our own leadership experiences. Share your insights with us. We’d love to hear them.

Be well. Do good. Grow great!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:19 — 32.3MB)

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The 3rd leadership ingredient is knowledge. Leaders today face unprecedented challenges with knowledge. We’re smothered with data, numbers, intel and other forms of “knowledge.” But we’re also challenged with reality and truth. Welcome to the world of deep fakes – some intentional and much of it likely unintentional. We see data and connect dots. What if the dots don’t connect? Or shouldn’t be connected? 

Knowledge must be vetted. Leaders can verify knowledge – facts, data, etc. One of the best methods for doing that is to rely on others. Humility affords us the opportunity to practice curiosity (asking questions) as we pursue the insights and knowledge of others. 

Perspective matters. That’s why great leaders rely on the perspectives other people can provide to vet knowledge. 

Be well. Do good. Grow great!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:17 — 36.9MB)

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Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it built the extraordinary leader. The quality of our questions determines the quality of our leadership – and most other positive things, too! 

Curiosity may be the most fun and contagious ingredient of all. Asking questions and questioning answers is energizing. Exhilarating even! 

Avoid jumping into TELL mode and get in question mode. Remain there long enough to help the entire team (or group) fully engage. As the leader, work hard to make the entire room smarter by leveraging the power of the collective.

Be well. Do good. Grow great!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:45 — 32.7MB)

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Humility is the first and most essential leadership ingredient. Without it, everything else fails. 

Bosses and leaders may be one and the same, but they may not be. Every boss is a leader (they’ve got influence; it may not always be positive though), but not every leader is a boss (somebody with a title, authority or power). 

Pretense. Pride. Ego. They’re killers to our leadership because they corrupt the humility that could best serve us. 

Be well. Do good. Grow great!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:28 — 38.0MB)

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Today Lisa and I introduce to you the five (5) leadership recipe ingredients. Admittedly, these five things started out as what I called “the progression of leadership,” back in the 1980s. When I taught them to Lisa she improved on the language because she considered them ingredients. They belong in a specific order to begin with – but after that, you may find yourself needing to add a bit more of one than another. They’re all vital, but we can still make each ingredient serve us best by personally applying each one as needed. We have to be aware of ourselves, our situation, and our team so we can best leverage these ingredients and cook up the very best leadership possible!

We also have to be aware of the pitfalls and challenges to effective leadership. Some things can derail our leadership. Our improved awareness of these challenges can help us shore up our weaknesses and strengthen ourselves for the task of growing great! And helping others grow great, too. 

Be well. Do good. Grow great!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:27 — 33.4MB)

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• One of our favorite topics
• This can truly and critically impact success as a leader
• Quote: “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
• All of us have had really good and really bad leaders.
• Think about them. The bad ones? What were they focused on?
  • Self?
  • Money?
  • Power?
  • Self-recognition?
• Focus on others through:
  • Service to them
  • Humility to listen
  • Curiosity to learn
  • Recognition and Appreciation of their value
  • Candid, honest dialogue when needed to grow them
  • Understanding
  • Genuine concern
  • Grace and Compassion
  • Accountability
• Results:
  • Trust
  • Camaraderie
  • High performance
  • Mutual Respect
  • Growth and Development
  • Empowerment
  • Unity
  • Teamwork
  • Inclusiveness
  • And they pass it on, and they pass it on, and so on ….
• What are YOU doing to focus on others? Or what are you NOT doing?
• Lisa’s Examples: Thoughtful Thursday; CMO – Fun Friday; COVID: Feel Good Friday

Be well. Do good. Grow great!