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Listen "Inspiring Greatness: Stepping into Your Purpose as a Leader"
Episode Synopsis
Episode 12: Inspiring Greatness: Stepping into Your Purpose as a Leader
"What is the primary job of a leader? And the primary job of a leader is to inspire greatness in her team or his team, by serving as a coach who helps people to thrive." - Matt Tenney
In this episode, we welcome leadership and mindset expert Matt Tenney, author of "Inspire Greatness.” Matt shares how his journey from monk to leadership coach shaped his philosophy that workplace cultures should consistently make a positive impact on team members' well-being and growth. He discusses the importance of shifting from a command-and-control leadership mindset to a servant leadership mindset focused on developing and empowering team members. He also articulates a compelling vision where leaders prioritize employee development over short-term metrics, explaining that even the best business strategies fail without engaged teams to execute them. Throughout the conversation, Matt offers practical frameworks for leaders to inspire greatness by serving as coaches who help people thrive both professionally and personally.
Key Takeaways:
Coach, Don't Boss - The most effective leaders see themselves as coaches who develop talent rather than bosses who direct tasks, creating self-sufficient teams that excel even in their absence.
Meta Habits Drive Change - Small daily practices like reframing your job description and dedicated calendar time for development create environments where all other positive leadership habits can flourish.
Meet Universal Needs - All employees share 14 fundamental needs, including appreciation, clear expectations, and well-being support—systematically addressing these needs is the foundation of exceptional leadership.
Make Incremental Progress - Leadership transformation happens through consistent small improvements over time, not through one-time training events or dramatic overhauls.
Balance Your Leadership Portfolio - Exceptional leaders intentionally allocate their time across four domains: strategic thinking, individual contribution, developing others, and self-development.
Resources & Links
Inspire Greatness: How to Motivate Employees with a Simple, Repeatable, Scalable Process by Matt Tenney
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Insight by Dr. Tasha Eurich
Inspire Greatness Podcast with Guest Dr. Carol Parker Walsh
Creating Safe Spaces: Dr. Carol Parker Walsh on Psychological Safety - Inspired Greatness Podcast
TED Talk: Why the Best Leaders Make Love the Top Priority by Matt Tenney
Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework
Recommended reading on building trust and collaboration in teams
Get the 3 Pillars of People-Forward Leadership™
Learn more about Matt Tenney
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The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast offers straightforward advice on becoming a better leader without the academic jargon. Join me every other week for real-world strategies that actually work in today's workplace.
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