In this conversation, Julie Williamson, Ph.D. speaks with Dallas Olson, Chief Commercial Officer at NetApp, about his journey to leadership and the importance of navigating the gap between agreement and alignment in both personal and professional contexts. They discuss the significance of creating safe spaces for conversations, the role of curiosity in engagement, and the necessity of consistency in team alignment. Dallas shares personal anecdotes, particularly about coaching soccer, to illustrate the challenges and rewards of pursuing goals and the importance of process in strategy execution. The discussion emphasizes the need for leaders to foster an environment where team members feel safe to express their thoughts and where curiosity can lead to better collaboration and alignment.

Takeaways:

• Navigating career paths often involves unexpected turns - be open to the journey.
• The gap between agreement and alignment is common in both personal and professional life.
• You have to be in love with the process as well as the goal.
• Creating space for conversations is essential for team alignment
• Curiosity can help leaders understand and address team dynamics better.
• Assuming positive intent fosters a safe environment for discussions.
• Consistency in small actions leads to significant change over time.
• How to execute strategy is often overlooked in favor of the what and why.
• Personal growth experiences can inform professional practices - look for the lessons.
• Work-life balance is something everyone could benefit from aligning on.
• Engaging in open conversations about challenges strengthens team dynamics.

In this episode of the Failure Gap podcast, Julie speaks with Hilary Blair, CEO and co-founder of Articulate, Real and Clear. They discuss the journey of navigating the space between agreement and alignment in leadership and communication. Hilary shares her background in theater and how it shaped her approach to helping leaders communicate effectively. The conversation explores the importance of being available as a leader, the dynamics of power in communication, and the need for self-awareness and mindset shifts to foster better collaboration and innovation within teams. They emphasize the value of fruitful friction in discussions and the necessity of creating a safer space for diverse voices to be heard.

Takeaways

• Words create worlds; the language we use matters and leaders must bridge agreement and alignment by fostering open dialogue and valuing diverse perspectives.
• Availability, mindful language, and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership communication.
• Friction can lead to fruitful discussions and innovation, and safe spaces encourage open communication, where friction can spark innovation and collaboration.
• Diversity of thought enhances team outcomes.
• Understanding power dynamics and embracing mindset shifts are essential for collaborative success.
• Leaders must evolve their habits to promote inclusivity and achieve true alignment within their teams.

In this conversation, Julie Williamson and David Prager discuss the challenges of prioritization, building trust, and creating shared meaning within teams. David shares personal anecdotes about his leadership journey, emphasizing the need for vulnerability, accountability, and the power of making intentions visible. The discussion highlights how effective leadership can bridge gaps in understanding and foster collaboration across diverse teams.

Takeaways:

• Alignment is a learned skill that leaders can develop.
• Prioritization is often a struggle for organizations despite agreement on its importance.
• Building trust and accountability is essential for effective teamwork.
• Creating shared meaning helps unify diverse teams around common goals.
• Vulnerability in leadership fosters a culture of openness and trust.
• Caring out loud encourages team engagement.
• Psychological safety allows team members to voice concerns without fear.
• The journey to a shared purpose is more important than the statement itself.
• Diversity in leadership leads to better decision-making and business outcomes.

In this conversation, Bruce Siegel shares his journey through various leadership roles and the importance of navigating the space between agreement and alignment in organizations. He discusses the significance of a beginner's mindset, the challenges of business development, and the trade-offs leaders face in decision-making. Bruce emphasizes the need for alignment in organizations, overcoming ego, and the value of followership. He provides strategies for moving from agreement to alignment and highlights the importance of creating deeper connections within communities.

Takeaways

• Mindset shifts are crucial for personal and professional development.
• Business development is essential for success in professional services.
• A big trade-off in leadership is autonomy versus collaboration.
• Alignment in organizations is often confused with agreement.
• Ego can hinder effective leadership, you need to create a culture of openness.
• Building deeper connections within communities enhances personal fulfillment.

In this conversation, Miles Kailburn, CEO of OTM, shares his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, service design, and fostering a culture of trust and curiosity within his team. He discusses the challenges of moving from agreement to alignment, the significance of micro-actions in maintaining that alignment, and the role of open communication in building trust. Miles highlights the need for leaders to stay curious and engage their teams in meaningful discussions to drive innovation and growth.

Takeaways

• Answering the call of leadership is a worthwhile journey, even if you don't expect it.
• Pay attention to how micro actions lead to misalignment over time.
• Leaders need to commit to open communication and curiosity to build trust.
• Leaders need to be aware of how ego can hinder effectiveness.
• Persistence is key in overcoming challenges and driving alignment over time.