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

• Leaders must navigate the gap between agreement and alignment.
• Being available as a leader fosters better communication.
• Words create worlds; the language we use matters.
• Friction can lead to fruitful discussions and innovation.
• Self-awareness is crucial for effective communication.
• Diversity of thought enhances team outcomes.
• Creating a safer space allows for open dialogue.
• Mindset shifts are necessary for effective collaboration.
• Understanding power dynamics is essential in communication.
• Habits can serve us well but may need to evolve.

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.