We explore the future of leadership, focusing on cognitive levels, emotional intelligence, and trust with Todd Hollow Bist. We discuss the importance of self-awareness, using presence to regulate emotions, and fostering breakthrough conversations in challenging environments.

We consider the role of psychological age in leadership, how dialectic thinking can drive innovation, and practical techniques for building trust and enhancing team dynamics.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "Our work begins with understanding, not judgment, seeking common ground through shared strengths." Zoë Routh

• "The brain wants to grow, but ambiguity and stress can push us down in cognitive levels." – Todd Hollow Bist

• "Presence is the muscle we use to stay at our best cognitive levels and resist being triggered into reactive behaviour." – Todd Hollow Bist

• "Leadership is about understanding people at a deeper level—not just what they say, but how they feel about it." – Todd Hollow Bist

Questions Asked

• How can leaders have breakthrough conversations in a polarised world?

• What are cognitive levels, and how do they shape leadership effectiveness?

• How does psychological age affect adult behaviour in leadership settings?

• What is dialectic thinking, and how can it lead to innovative conversations?

• What are practical ways to develop greater self-awareness as a leader?

Take Action

• Reflect on how ambiguity and stress influence your decision-making and emotional responses.

• Practise presence as a way to regulate emotions and maintain leadership effectiveness.

• Engage in dialectic thinking: next time you have a disagreement, focus on understanding the other person’s feelings, not just their argument.

• Observe how psychological age manifests in yourself and your team. Are you reacting from a mature, adult state or reverting to earlier behavioural patterns?

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 - Welcome back to the show
00:28 - Reflections on the current political climate
01:07 - Personal updates and Magic Mind
06:39 - Introducing Todd Hollow Bist
07:45 - Todd’s journey into leadership
11:07 - Understanding cognitive levels
24:16 - Practical applications of cognitive levels
31:11 - Navigating emotional responses in leadership
32:10 - The role of empathy in building trust
34:45 - Recognising and testing trust in relationships
39:20 - Developing self-awareness and cognitive levels
49:52 - Dialectic thinking for innovative conversations
53:03 - Rapid-fire questions and leadership insights
58:43 - Book recommendation: Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
59:47 - Closing thoughts and encouragement

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In the episode, Zoë Routh engages with Sylvia Rhoda Liebenau to explore the multifaceted concept of power. They discuss ethical ways to gain power, the role of technology in enhancing democratic processes, and introduce the framework of Smart Power, which encompasses systemic thinking, merging resources, and authentic personal power.

The conversation provides insights into leadership challenges and the importance of adapting to a volatile world.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "Smart Power is about understanding systems and merging resources." - Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau

• "Perspective is power." - Zoë Routh

• "If we do not use a certain degree of systems thinking, we don't understand anything." - Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau

Questions Asked

1. What would you do with more power?

2. What does a powerful person look like?

3. What does a powerless person look like?

4. How might we share power?

5. What might happen if we had more power as a group?

Take Action

• Reflect on your relationship with power by asking yourself the four key questions discussed in the episode.

• Explore ways to ethically share power within your organization or community to enhance collaboration and effectiveness.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction: The Power Question

00:18 Exploring Digital Democratic Innovations

01:36 Challenges and Solutions in Online Deliberation

02:35 The Role of Blockchain in Transparent Debates

03:57 Changing Our Relationship with Power

04:33 Four Key Questions About Power

07:25 Introducing Sylvia Rohde-Liebenau

12:47 Old Power vs. New Power

14:19 The Concept of Smart Power

15:31 Systemic Thinking and Merging Power

22:03 Authentic Personal Power

33:39 Exploring Smart Power in Leadership

49:15 Fast Three: Quick Insights and Recommendations

In this episode of the podcast, Zoë discusses enhancing leadership thinking through a recent article on transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and its implications for cognitive abilities. She introduces guest Dave Martin, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and author of "Mega Thinking," who outlines a four-step process to improve strategic thinking: capturing initial thoughts, socializing with trusted individuals, conducting focused research, and synthesizing final thoughts.

The conversation also touches on the role of AI in knowledge acquisition and concludes with leadership tips and resources for further learning.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

1. You are what you think; your environment matters." Zoë Routh

2. "Thinking far deep and wide is essentially how you can fast track upscale, deepen, broaden, improve your strategic thinking." Zoë Routh

3. "It's important to select people who you respect and who have different views; this diversity can lead to new information that enhances your understanding of the topic." Dave Martin

4. "Going deep means analysing what the current situation looks like, which involves environmental scanning and understanding underlying causes rather than just seeking quick fixes." Dave Martin

Questions Asked

1. How might we improve our thinking as leaders?

2. What does 'Mega Thinking' actually mean?

3. What are the specific four steps of the Mega Steps process?

4. How do we select individuals to socialise our thoughts with?

Take Action

• Reflect on your current strategic thinking methods and identify areas for improvement.

• Engage with trusted colleagues or mentors to discuss your ideas and gather diverse perspectives.

• Explore the implications of AI in your leadership approach and consider how to integrate it effectively without over-reliance.

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Weekly Question

00:15 Exploring Neuroplasticity and Brain Stimulation

01:18 Leadership and Environmental Influence

01:55 Personal Updates and Upcoming Projects

02:31 Improving Strategic Thinking

03:54 Deep and Wide Thinking Strategies

05:16 Introducing Dave Martin and Mega Thinking

06:05 The Concept of Mega Thinking

12:49 Steps to Achieve Mega Thinking

32:02 The Pitfalls of Overconfidence in Leadership

32:42 The Importance of Truth-Seeking in a Sea of Opinions

34:15 Exploring Perspectives and Finding General Principles

35:13 The Role of Books in Deepening Understanding

36:43 Simplifying Complex Topics with Mega Steps

38:49 The Value of Interpersonal Skills in Leadership

45:14 The Future of AI and Its Impact on Industries

48:20 Leadership Tips and Participative Leadership

49:56 The Fast Three: Technology, Leadership, and Reading

52:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts