Tag: Team Building

Embracing Leadership Through Practice

I’ve spent a lifetime delving into the intricacies of leadership. I have attended courses, read the theories, written about them, appreciated role models and mentored others on the best practices. Yet, despite all this knowledge, I find it challenging to put these theories into practice in face-to-face interactions. It’s a humbling realisation that even after 60 years, change is arduous. This is why I am so committed to supporting young people to embed leadership skills into their everyday lives from the very start.

Why is it so important for young people to learn and practice these skills now? Because the earlier they start, the more ingrained these healthy behaviours will become. They won’t have to battle decades of ingrained responses; instead, they can develop a natural inclination towards constructive, positive interactions. They can become the leaders who instinctively know how to navigate crucial moments with grace and effectiveness.

For decades, social scientists have studied the flight or fight or freeze responses other phenomena seeking to explain our emotions and behaviour in crucial and sometimes frightening moments. Unfortunately, when these crucial moments come, we tend to act our worst. Our genetic and physical makeup, societal pressures, and a lack of healthy behaviour models all push us to act in self-defeating ways.

Understanding the science behind why we say the things we say can be transformative. It offers a pathway to healthier conversations, better relationships, and higher-performing teams. Yet, knowing the theory is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in the day-to-day practice, in those face-to-face moments where our instincts often betray us. It’s about building a bridge between knowledge and action, something that I continue to strive for and hope to instil in the younger generation.

Why is it so important for young people to learn and practice these skills now? Because the earlier they start, the more ingrained these healthy behaviours will become. They won’t have to battle decades of ingrained responses; instead, they can develop a natural inclination towards constructive, positive interactions. They can become the leaders who instinctively know how to navigate crucial moments with grace and effectiveness.

Supporting young people in this journey isn’t just about teaching them the theory. It’s about providing them with real-world opportunities to practice these skills, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. It’s about creating environments where healthy conversations and strong, supportive relationships are the norm. This is the legacy I hope to leave – not just a wealth of knowledge, but a generation of leaders who can put that knowledge into practice every single day.

#Leadership #YouthEmpowerment #CommunicationSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #TeamBuilding #SelfAwareness #HealthyConversations #PositiveInteractions #SupportYoungLeaders #TransformativeLeadership

 

Values in Action: Observations from Sydney’s Streets and the Art of Effective Pitching

I have long been aware that I am not the right person to pitch for funding for a charity. A recent incident in Elizabeth St in the Sydney CBD was a light bulb moment and an opportunity to identify the right person for the role

Photo source – Deposit Photos

Background

Lynne walking in Sydney’s CBD, notices a young man with an open backpack containing pieces of wood, posing a safety risk. Initially surprised, she becomes concerned but hesitates to intervene as the man is on the phone. At a traffic light, two other young men alert the backpack owner to the danger. The man, still on the phone, asks them to zip up his backpack and crosses the street, seemingly unconcerned. This scenario highlights different reactions and value systems among the individuals involved.

What happened next.

I consulted an ethics specialist to analyse the responses of the three individuals in the incident using Schwartz’s values. The expert then crafted a brief for a story, which I’ll use to create a talk. This talk will focus on understanding personal strengths and selecting the right person for a given role, leveraging insights from the value mapping exercise.

Here is the result.

In this story, Lynne’s initial reaction of surprise, quickly shifting to concern for safety, suggests she is observant and possesses a strong sense of responsibility. Her hesitation to intervene might indicate a respect for social boundaries or an aversion to confrontation, especially when the young man is on the phone.

The two young men who spoke up display assertiveness and a direct approach to problem-solving. They didn’t hesitate to interrupt and address a potential safety issue, showing a proactive and possibly more extroverted nature.

As for the young man with the backpack, his continued phone conversation and reliance on others to fix the problem could indicate a level of detachment or lack of awareness about his surroundings. His reaction might also suggest a more laid-back or unconcerned attitude towards potential risks.

 

Aligning the attitudes in the story with Schwartz’s values:

 

  1. Lynne: Her initial curiosity and subsequent concern for safety align with the values of ‘Benevolence’ (concern for the welfare of others) and ‘Security’ (safety and stability of society). Her hesitation to intervene might indicate a lean towards ‘Conformity’, valuing social order and avoiding upsetting others.

 

  1. The Two Young Men: Their assertive action reflects ‘Self-Direction’ (independent thought and action) and ‘Universalism’ (understanding and protection for the welfare of all). They display a willingness to break social norms for the greater good, indicating less emphasis on ‘Conformity’.

 

  1. The Man with the Backpack: His detached response and reliance on others suggest less concern for ‘Conformity’ and ‘Security’. His casual attitude might align with ‘Hedonism’ (pleasure or gratification for oneself), focusing on his phone conversation rather than the immediate social situation.

 

Lynne’s strong focus on the greater good, aligned with benevolence and universalism in Schwartz’s values, may inadvertently limit her ability to effectively pitch her ideas. This is because her approach might overlook the individual or organisational interests of her audience. In a pitch, it’s often crucial to address ‘what’s in it for them’ – aligning with values like achievement or power, which focus on personal or organisational benefits and successes. Understanding and appealing to these varied value systems can make her pitches more persuasive and resonant with diverse audiences.

So armed with this knowledge I then asked the values expert to identify the ideal person for effective pitching

This is their answer:

  1. Self-Direction: Independence in thought and action, crucial for innovative and creative pitch ideas.
  2. Achievement: Seeking success and demonstrating competence, important for convincingly presenting a pitch.
  3. Power: Valuing social status, control, or dominance over people and resources, helpful in persuasive communication.
  4. Universalism: Understanding, appreciation, and protection for the welfare of all, enabling a pitch that appeals to broader interests and values.
  5. Stimulation: Seeking excitement, novelty, and challenges in life, essential for dynamic and engaging presentations.

These values contribute to a person’s ability to effectively communicate, persuade, and connect with diverse audiences.

#SchwartzValues #EthicsInAction #UrbanSafety #EffectiveCommunication #StrengthsIdentification #TeamBuilding #PitchingSkills #SydneyCBD #InterpersonalDynamics #DecisionMaking #ProblemSolving #CommunityInteraction