Gianpiero Petriglieri & Joe Davis: Leadership Is a Kind of Love / The Generous Leader

Love in Action

Segment 1 featuring Gianpiero Petriglieri:

• “We are neither incompetent or not malevolent, we are just caught within a model of leadership which really doesn't describe the sort of leadership we want to see in the world, and that we ourselves would like to see in the world. [9:10] The overwhelmingly used type of leadership is the dominant model. It is called this not just because it is a dominant form of leadership across organizations but also it is dominant in nature. Gianpiero Petriglieri calls out this model as narrow and deceiving focusing to much on attention and getting other people to do what you want. It’s used often but it is the base of every complaint people have with leadership. Why are we still using it?
• “In my experience people don’t click when the see someone that fits a model, they click when they see someone that makes them feel understood and motivated.” [17:41] As Gianpiero discusses his perspective and research, he calls out that it’s not really about what people CALL leadership but WHAT people call leadership. Listen for that clear distinction…what makes people follow, listen, and trust in leader?
• “Leadership is not inside people. It’s between people.” [22:21] Leadership is a relationship. Gianpiero comments, we are aspiring to be more caring and generous in other relationships, why wouldnt you want to integrate those as a leader?
• “What is it that you’re worried about. What would it take for you to get less worried?” [34:49] What is holding us back from making the shift away from dominant leadership? Gianopiero challenges that we are afraid to be vulnerable, afraid to be hurt, and ultimately afraid people will think we are ‘soft’. He ends his segment calling out leaders to make love a part of the job, even if its scary and even if its hard.

Segment 2 featuring Joe Davis:

• “You have to recognize that your people are humans. They are not cogs in the wheel.” [58:46] As Joe Davis explains the 7 ways ways to give of yourself from his book, The Generous Leader, Marcel and Joe dive into #2: Generous Communication. Here Marcel reads an email in which Joe generously and deeply connected to his employees amidst the pandemic, among this touching communication Joe also shares other practical tips; keep it short and accessible, ask questions, and listen.
• “An Action Ally is someone who is paving the way, opening the door, and creating opportunities for someone else to walk through and perform.” [1:04:20] In chapter 5, Joe discusses allyship; you can wear the button, you can hit diversity metrics, but how can you be an action ally? Joe explains how you can support, mentor, and be an ally.
• “If you are not inspiring them, they are gonna walk. You need more of the best to really drive results.” [1:10:20] How is Generous Leadership and the bottom line connected? Well, you need your employees and your team and you need to them to be all in, inspired, and motivated.
• “It’s not all about you. You are not the solution to all the answers. You have to do it with and through leverage all of your people.” [1:13:13] How do make the transition to generous leadership? Ask questions, respect what your people have to say, and small acts of appreciation! The world is changing and the world is blurred…connection is more important than ever.

Mentioned in this episode:

Gianpiero Petriglieri
Leadership is a Kind of Love
Joe Davis
The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’

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