This weekend I attended an inspiring leadership retreat hosted by @BrianLevenson.
Attendees included:
Navy seal
MMA champ
Hollywood actor
Division I woman’s hoop coach
Legendary sports agent
Turnaround specialist
Harvard Law professor
Quad amputee
Here are some takeaways:
Attendees included:
Navy seal
MMA champ
Hollywood actor
Division I woman’s hoop coach
Legendary sports agent
Turnaround specialist
Harvard Law professor
Quad amputee
Here are some takeaways:
1) A leader can learn so much about the current health and mindset of a team / organization by walking around, checking in and asking how everyone is doing.
2) Preparation is drilling over and over and over so you can be present when you have to perform. Having a prepared mind dramatically increases trust and results. SEALs train for more than three years before being deployed.
3) The ultimate team first mentality: “The team does not bend for you. You bend for it. The unit always comes first.”
4) Selfless leadership is when you arrive at work and leave all of your issues and ego at the door with explicit purpose of serving the interests of the team and the immediate objective(s).
5) You can not achieve greatness if you’re constantly bombarded by distractions. Remove the noise and roadblocks to create an environment that fosters learning, creativity and performing. This is how you accomplish your goals.
6) YOU have the CHOICE to be the hero of your story. We all have the freedom to choose how we respond, how we rise up, how we practice, how we treat others and how we dedicate ourselves to a craft.
7) “Embrace the suck” because the world embraces those who overcome adversity. The most difficult and painful situations always result in the greatest lessons and rewards.
8) There’s nothing wrong when a leader to says to their team: “You know what, I don’t have the answer. What do you think?” Showing you’re human and vulnerable will likely create stronger bonds and trust.
9) Don’t underestimate the power of partnership. The best leaders hire the smartest people because they can’t do it all. Leaders should always fill in gaps and view employees as their partners not cogs.
10) Leaders who have real power and trust don’t need to scream. They can whisper and people will still hear them.
11) Empathy is at the heart of being a great negotiator. The only person and opinion that matters is the one sitting on the other side of the table.
12) It doesn’t matter if there are more ‘qualified’ candidates for a job, diversity brings differences in thought, expands networks, changes team dynamics and generates social returns. The organization will improve with more experiences and perspectives.
13) You can’t change a culture unless the leaders at the top buy in and drive the process. This requires changes in communication, behavior and rewards. It’s incredibly hard to achieve but possible with commitment.
14) Mindset is everything. We are often our own worst enemy and infinitely more capable than than we believe. Believe.
