In this conversation, Robert Adams discusses the importance of empowering the next generation through leadership that fosters belief and accountability. He highlights the concept of shared accountability practiced by Ben & Jerry's, where every team member is encouraged to contribute ideas and take responsibility, regardless of their title. The discussion emphasizes the transformative power of believing in individuals before they fully believe in themselves, showcasing how this can lead to a more engaged and innovative workforce.

Takeaways

The next generation isn't lacking talent. They're lacking leaders who believe in them early enough.

Shared accountability allows everyone to contribute ideas and lead projects.

Leadership is about taking responsibility, not just holding a title.

Believing in someone can empower them to believe in themselves.

Encouraging improvement ideas can lead to a more engaged workforce.

Every team member has the potential to lead.

Creating an environment of trust fosters innovation.

Leadership should be accessible to all, not just those in power.

Empowerment can come from any level within an organization.

The essence of leadership is responsibility and belief in others.

Titles

Empowering Future Leaders

The Role of Shared Accountability

Sound bites

"The next generation isn't lacking talent."

"Anyone can bring forward improvement ideas."

"You don't need a title to lead."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership and Next Gen Talent

00:42 Empowering Future Leaders Through Opportunity

In this conversation, Robert Adams discusses the innovative approach taken by Panera Bread to improve communication within their organization through the implementation of listening circles. These circles foster open dialogue between frontline employees and leadership, allowing for genuine feedback and collaboration without the constraints of traditional corporate meetings.

Takeaways

Panera Bread implemented listening circles to enhance communication.

Listening circles involved small groups of employees and leaders.

The focus was on real challenges and ideas, not corporate formalities.

Leadership's role was to listen, not to defend or explain.

Taking notes and making changes fostered a sense of belonging.

Open communication can transform organizational culture.

Listening circles can replace ineffective surveys and training.

Real dialogue leads to actionable insights.

Employees felt valued and part of the mission.

Effective communication is key to team success.

Titles

Revolutionizing Communication at Panera Bread

The Impact of Listening in Leadership

Sound bites

"They created listening circles."

"They just listened. And they followed up."

"I felt like part of the mission."

Chapters

00:00 Building Trust and Culture in Leadership

00:56 The Power of Listening in Leadership

In this episode of 'A Student of Leadership', Rob Adams discusses the importance of recognizing and nurturing potential in team members. He emphasizes the role of belief in fostering growth and innovation, using Satya Nadella's leadership at Microsoft as a key example. The episode outlines practical steps for leaders to help their teams realize their potential, including identifying quiet achievers, providing challenges, and communicating belief in their capabilities. The conversation concludes with a leadership challenge to engage team members in discussions about their growth aspirations.

takeaways

• Great leaders focus on potential, not just current performance.
• Satya Nadella transformed Microsoft by fostering a growth mindset.
• Belief in others can unlock their hidden potential.
• Companies that focus on strengths see higher engagement and profitability.
• Leaders should look for quiet climbers who are eager to learn.
• Challenge team members with stretch tasks to promote growth.
• Directly expressing belief in someone's abilities can boost their confidence.
• Potential is a lens through which leaders can build strong teams.
• Engaging in conversations about growth can empower team members.
• Believing in others encourages them to believe in themselves.

titles

• Unlocking the Power of Potential in Leadership
• Transforming Teams with a Growth Mindset

Sound Bites

• "People want to grow."
• "Belief is a fuel cell."
• "Say the magic sentence."

Chapters

00:00

Unlocking Potential: The Invisible Force of Leadership

03:39

The Growth Mindset: Transforming Teams through Belief

06:12

Practical Steps to Lead with Potential

06:31

A Student of Leadership Outro.wav

In this episode, Rob Adams discusses the concept of sustainable leadership, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and decision-making that benefits not just immediate results but also future outcomes. He shares insights from Sweetgreen's approach to sustainability and encourages leaders to model responsible behavior, connect their teams to a greater purpose, and recognize integrity in decision-making. The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to consider the long-term implications of their decisions.

Takeaways

Leadership starts with what you choose to do right where you are.

Sustainable leadership includes behavioral sustainability for long-term team thriving.

True sustainability involves making decisions that benefit the future.

Sweetgreen integrates sustainability into their culture and leadership training.

Leaders should ask how decisions impact people and community, not just numbers.

Companies leading with purpose outperform others in engagement and trust.

Modeling sustainability begins with asking if decisions make sense long-term.

Connecting people to purpose enhances their understanding of impact.

Recognizing responsible actions fosters integrity and long-term thinking.

Leadership grows when we learn together.

Sound bites

"Sustainability is a mindset."

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Leadership Table

00:50 Understanding Sustainable Leadership

03:12 Implementing Sustainable Practices in Leadership

In this episode of A Student of Leadership, Rob Adams delves into the critical role of trust in leadership. He emphasizes that trust is not just a skill but the foundation of effective leadership, enabling vision, delegation, and influence. Through the example of Angela Merkel's leadership during crises, he illustrates how transparency and ethical decision-making foster public trust. The episode outlines strategies for building trust within teams and organizations, including practicing vulnerability, creating trust rituals, and systematic trust-building practices. Adams concludes with an action challenge for listeners to assess and strengthen trust in their leadership relationships.

Takeaways

• Trust is foundational to effective leadership.
• Without trust, leadership skills become ineffective.
• Transparency and ethical decision-making build trust.
• High-trust environments lead to faster decision-making.
• Vulnerability can enhance a leader's credibility.
• Regular trust rituals can reinforce team trust.
• Trust should be built systematically within organizations.
• Trust audits can help identify areas for improvement.
• Every interaction either builds or erodes trust.
• Great leaders are made one habit at a time.

Sound Bites

• "Practice predictable vulnerability."

Chapters

00:00

The Foundation of Leadership: Trust

01:28

Angela Merkel: A Case Study in Trust

03:26

Building Trust in Leadership

05:51

Strategies for Trust Building

06:47

Action Challenge: Conducting a Trust Audit

In this conversation, Robert Adams delves into the often-overlooked topic of burnout, particularly in the food service industry. He emphasizes the difference between corporate burnout and the human experience of exhaustion that creeps in slowly. Adams discusses the importance of passion in food service and how it can lead to burnout without proper rest. He advocates for leaders to take proactive measures to prevent burnout by modeling healthy boundaries and normalizing rest, highlighting that tired individuals merely survive rather than thrive.

Takeaways

Burnout is often overlooked in discussions about wellness.

The human experience of burnout is different from corporate narratives.

Passion in food service can lead to exhaustion without rest.

Effective leaders prevent burnout by design.

Modeling healthy boundaries is crucial for preventing burnout.

Normalizing rest is essential in high-pressure environments.

Tired individuals do not grow; they merely survive.

Burnout creeps in slowly, affecting energy levels.

Addressing burnout requires a cultural shift in organizations.

Leaders play a key role in fostering a healthy work environment.

Titles

The Hidden Cost of Passion: Understanding Burnout

Burnout in the Food Service Industry

Sound bites

"I want to talk about something we don't talk about enough."

"They model healthy boundaries, they normalize rest."

"Tired people don't grow, they survive."

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Showing Up

00:23 Sustainable Leadership Practices

00:34 Encouraging Team Wellbeing

Summer Break - Message

In this episode, Rob Adams discusses the critical role of sponsorship in leadership, emphasizing its transformative power compared to traditional mentoring. He shares insights on how sponsorship can significantly impact career advancement, particularly for underrepresented groups. The conversation includes actionable steps for leaders to become effective sponsors, highlighting the importance of advocating for hidden talents and creating opportunities for others.

Takeaways

Sponsorship is a crucial leadership behavior that can change careers.

Mentoring is helpful, but sponsorship is transformational.

Performance alone won't lead to promotions; advocacy is essential.

Great leaders create opportunities for others.

Sponsorship requires intentionality and effort from leaders.

People with sponsors are significantly more likely to advance in their careers.

The absence of sponsorship creates systematic barriers in organizations.

Leaders should actively seek out hidden stars in their teams.

Sponsorship involves advocating for others in key situations.

Building a culture of sponsorship fosters collective growth and leadership.

Sound bites

"Sponsorship is transformational."

"Your influence is meant to be used."

"Pick one person you believe in."

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Sponsorship

03:43 Transformational Leadership: Beyond Mentoring

06:21 Practical Steps to Become a Sponsor

06:50 A Student of Leadership Outro.wav