Episodes

  • Addressing Leadership Challenges: Strategies for Success
    Sep 18 2024

    Addressing the complex challenges of leadership.

    Tina Seelig and John Hennessy delve into the challenges and strategies involved in leadership and leading a multifaceted institution such as Stanford University. From navigating conflicting goals and diverse constituencies to making tough decisions under scrutiny, John shares his insights on the importance of transparency, providing critical feedback, and fostering an environment where others can thrive. This conversation delves into the delicate balance of maintaining core values while adapting to the needs of different stakeholders, highlighting the nuances of decision-making, ethics, and the collaborative spirit essential for long-term success.

    Connect with us:

    Website

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    Tina Seelig | LinkedIn

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Host Tina Seelig introduces the podcast and welcomes John Hennessy, discussing the episode's focus on leadership challenges.

    (00:01:31) Conflicting Goals in Leadership

    Managing conflicting goals with different constituents in the unique environment of a university.

    (00:03:06) Addressing Housing and Rent Issues

    The local community’s reaction to student housing and the complexities it created for university leadership.

    (00:04:21) Dealing with Criticism

    Handling criticism and backlash from key constituents when difficult decisions are made.

    (00:05:31) Living Wage Debate

    A memorable challenge involving a student-led hunger strike about living wages.

    (00:07:54) Confidentiality in Leadership

    Dealing with situations that require confidentiality and a lack of transparency in decision-making.

    (00:08:59) Giving Critical Feedback

    Advice on giving tough feedback, a critical skill in leadership development.

    (00:11:04) Transparency in Leadership

    The balance of transparency and discretion in leadership, especially in large institutions like Stanford.

    (00:12:35) Decision-Making Frameworks

    Different decision-making styles and their applications in leadership situations.

    (00:16:12) Challenging Negotiations

    The complexities of negotiation in leadership, particularly in university settings.

    (00:18:34) Stimulating Innovation as a Leader

    How leaders can create environments that foster innovation and creativity within their organizations.

    (00:23:50) Leadership Across Different Domains

    The similarities and differences in leadership styles across academia, government, and industry.

    (00:25:18) Collaborating Across Sectors

    Leadership across collaborations between different sectors, and the challenges that arise.

    (00:27:03) Evolving Leadership Style

    How John’s leadership style has evolved from individual contributor to leader of a large institution.

    (00:28:31) Empowering Others as a Leader

    The importance of...

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    32 mins
  • Leading with Integrity: The Power of Trust and Ethics in Leadership
    Sep 11 2024

    Navigate difficult decisions, maintain trust, and uphold strong core values.

    Explore the complexities of ethical leadership with Tina Seelig and John Hennessy as they share their experiences and insights. From handling ethical dilemmas to maintaining core values amidst challenges, John highlights the importance of honesty, trust, and organizational integrity. Tina leads a profound discussion on navigating gray areas where legality and ethics might conflict.

    Together, they uncover strategies for fostering trust, inoculating oneself against unethical decisions, and how a leader's values impact the culture of an entire institution.

    Connect with us:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Tina Seelig | LinkedIn

    Instagram

    X / Twitter

    Facebook

    YouTube

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Host Tina Seelig introduces the topic of ethical and trustworthy leadership with John Hennessy.

    (00:01:05) Maintaining Ethics in Leadership

    How reputation and core values play crucial roles in leadership.

    (00:01:43) Dealing with Ethical Dilemmas

    Encountering unethical requests and the importance of standing by one’s principles.

    (00:03:46) Preventing Ethical Pitfalls

    Advice on preparing for ethical challenges.

    (00:05:04) Organizational Accountability

    The challenges of ensuring ethics within large organizations.

    (00:07:40) Ethical Decision-Making in Gray Areas

    Navigating situations that fall in the gray areas of legality and ethics.

    (00:10:48) Ethical Leadership and Core Values

    The importance of staying true to core values in leadership.

    (00:13:18) Trust and Crisis Management

    Why trust is crucial for managing crises and driving change within organizations.

    (00:16:00) Rebuilding Trust After a Crisis

    Rebuilding trust and the importance of addressing issues head-on.

    (00:18:19) Organizational Ethics and People

    How ethics rely on both leadership and individual actions within the organization.

    (00:20:05) Episode Takeaways

    Four key lessons for listeners from this episode.

    (00:20:36) Conclusion

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    21 mins
  • Leading with Impact: How Collaboration and Decisiveness Drive Success
    Sep 4 2024

    Collaboration and decisiveness shape effective leadership.

    Tina Seelig and John Hennessy examine the key leadership qualities of collaboration, analysis, and decisiveness. Their conversation highlights how effective leaders unite diverse teams, perform comprehensive analyses to make informed decisions, and take decisive action when the stakes are high. Drawing on real-world examples and lessons, the episode offers valuable insights for those seeking to strengthen their leadership skills and drive impactful change within their organizations.

    Connect with us:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Tina Seelig | LinkedIn

    Instagram

    X / Twitter

    Facebook

    YouTube

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Host Tina Seelig introduces John Hennessey along with the episode’s focus on collaboration, analysis, and decisiveness.

    (00:00:57) Crafting a Team for Collaboration

    The importance of team-building, focusing on collaboration and complementary skills.

    (00:01:31) Strong Working Partnerships

    How a long-time professional partnership developed into a strong and effective working relationship.

    (00:03:08) Decision-Making on Stanford’s New York Campus

    The tough decision to evaluate and ultimately walk away from a potential campus expansion in New York.

    (00:05:55) Knowing When to Walk Away

    Insights into the process of pulling the plug on a major project when the risks outweigh the benefits.

    (00:09:10) Leadership in Everyday Decision-Making

    Balancing daily decision-making while overseeing larger projects within a big organization.

    (00:11:22) The Role of Delegation in Leadership

    Exploring the importance of delegation and fostering an environment of transparency and trust.

    (00:13:39) Incentives in a Decentralized Organization

    Levers of influence and how incentives can help guide faculty in a decentralized environment.

    (00:14:47) Prioritizing Long-Term Building Projects

    Prioritizing and executing large-scale building projects, including considerations for long-term growth.

    (00:16:51) Navigating Stanford’s General Use Permit

    The negotiations surrounding the university’s general use permit and its implications for future development.

    (00:19:08) Big Bets at Alphabet

    The decision-making process behind significant business investments.

    (00:21:39) Advice for Making Hard Decisions

    Improving the ability to make difficult decisions and the value of learning through practice.

    (00:24:05) Episode Takeaways

    Four key lessons for listeners from this episode.

    (00:24:35) Conclusion

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    25 mins
  • Leading with Purpose: Crafting A Vision and Cultivating Courage
    Aug 28 2024

    How bold visions can be crafted and executed even in the face of challenges and opposition.

    Focusing on the powerful interplay between vision and courage in leadership, Tina Seelig and John Hennessy examine how bold visions are crafted, refined through feedback, and brought to life despite significant challenges. Examples like the Stanford Challenge and responses to financial crises highlight the importance of committing personally to a vision, understanding and balancing different types of risks, and acting decisively when it matters most. These insights offer valuable lessons for leaders seeking to navigate complex environments and drive meaningful change.

    Connect with us:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Tina Seelig | LinkedIn

    Instagram

    X / Twitter

    Facebook

    YouTube

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Host Tina Seelig introduces the episode’s focus on vision and courage in leadership, setting the stage for the conversation with John Hennessy.

    (00:00:45) The Stanford Challenge: Vision and Execution

    The creation and strategic planning behind the Stanford Challenge.

    (00:03:04) Tackling Big Challenges at Stanford

    The major initiatives and global challenges tackled by Stanford.

    (00:04:00) Community Support and Vision Alignment

    The role of community and alumni in shaping and supporting Stanford's vision.

    (00:05:16) Academic Work vs. Entrepreneurship

    The journey of moving academic work into real-world entrepreneurship.

    (00:08:01) Leading Through Financial Crisis

    Managing the 2008 financial crisis at Stanford and the leadership decisions involved.

    (00:10:42) Opportunities in a Crisis

    The benefits of decisive action during a crisis and how it positioned Stanford for future success.

    (00:13:40) Risk-Taking in Leadership

    The nuances of risk-taking in leadership, and approaching different types of risks.

    (00:15:16) The Importance of Complementary Risk Profiles

    The value of surrounding oneself with people who have different risk perspectives in leadership.

    (00:16:30) Political Advocacy and the DREAM Act

    Supporting the DREAM Act, highlighting the political and ethical considerations involved.

    (00:17:33) The Vision Behind Knight Hennessy Scholars

    The inception and development of the Knight Hennessy Scholars program.

    (00:20:46) Lessons from Historical Leaders

    How historical leaders have influenced John’s leadership style.

    (00:23:39) Episode Takeaways

    Four key lessons for listeners from this episode.

    (00:24:14) Conclusion

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    25 mins
  • Why Curiosity, Empathy, and Humility Matter in Leadership
    Aug 21 2024

    The essential traits of curiosity, empathy, and humility in leadership.

    Tina Seelig and John Hennessy explore the essential traits of curiosity, empathy, and humility in leadership. Through personal anecdotes and insights, they discuss how these qualities shape effective leaders and foster a culture of openness and understanding. Whether you're leading a university or a startup, this conversation offers valuable lessons on navigating complex challenges with empathy and wisdom.

    Connect with us:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Tina Seelig | LinkedIn

    Instagram

    X / Twitter

    Facebook

    YouTube

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Host Tina Seelig welcomes John Hennessy and introduces the episode’s focus on curiosity, empathy, and humility in leadership.

    (00:01:39) Understanding Diverse Perspectives

    A story about addressing faculty concerns at Stanford, emphasizing the need for empathy and active listening.

    (00:03:36) Lessons from the Dalai Lama

    Reflections on interviewing the Dalai Lama, and his views on curiosity, empathy, and humility.

    (00:04:59) Leading with Empathy in Crisis

    Handling a student hunger strike, highlighting the role of empathy in resolving complex issues.

    (00:06:33) Spotting Leadership Opportunities

    How regular faculty meetings helped uncover new opportunities in neuroscience at Stanford.

    (00:08:33) Framing the Problem Before Seeking Solutions

    The importance of spending time understanding the problem before focusing on solutions in leadership.

    (00:09:58) Managing Diverse Perspectives

    Advice for leaders navigating diverse perspectives.

    (00:11:58) Decision-Making Models in Leadership

    A comparison of decision-making processes in universities versus large corporations.

    (00:13:51) Balancing Confidence and Humility

    How to demonstrate humility while maintaining confidence in leadership roles.

    (00:15:50) Historical Role Models of Humility

    Abraham Lincoln’s humility and leadership during the Civil War.

    (00:17:05) Humility for Young Leaders

    Advice for young leaders on how to demonstrate humility while building their careers.

    (00:18:23) Episode Takeaways

    Five key lessons for listeners from this episode.

    (00:18:57) Conclusion

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    19 mins
  • Lessons in Leadership: Leading with Knight-Hennessy Scholars
    Aug 14 2024

    In the premiere episode of "Leading Matters," hosted by Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, John Hennessy shares his leadership journey. As a faculty member, entrepreneur, former president of Stanford University, and chairman of Alphabet, Hennessy discusses guiding teams to success and inspiring innovation. The episode explores the Knight-Hennessy leadership model, highlighting traits like vision, courage, curiosity, and humility. Hennessy shares pivotal career moments, emphasizing problem-solving, historical insights, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Join us for the first of this six-episode series, uncovering the essence of effective leadership and the foundational traits that support it.

    Episode References:

    KHeystone Projects | Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford University

    Education Justice Academy

    Connect with us:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    X / Twitter

    Facebook

    YouTube

    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Host Tina Seelig introduces the podcast focused on the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, and welcomes founder John Hennessy.

    (00:01:09) Defining Leadership

    A definition of leadership and the essential role leaders play in guiding teams.

    (00:02:14) Leadership Journey

    Becoming a leader and how the role of leadership evolved.

    (00:03:24) Recognizing Leadership Potential

    Recognizing leadership potential before taking on leadership roles.

    (00:04:10) Traits and Behaviors in Leadership

    Key traits and behaviors that define leadership and embody the Knight-Hennessy leadership model.

    (00:05:24) Focus on Making Others Successful

    The importance of focusing on making others successful in leadership roles

    (00:06:29) Problem Solving in Leadership

    The significance of problem identification and solving in leadership.

    (00:07:16) Balancing Crisis Management and Visionary Thinking

    Insights on managing crises while maintaining a forward-thinking vision.

    (00:08:54) Industry Experience Shaping Academic Leadership

    How experience in a startup shaped decision-making in academic leadership.

    (00:10:13) Influence of History on Leadership

    The impact of history on approaching leadership.

    (00:11:06) Acting as a Leader Before Being One

    Taking leadership action before holding a formal leadership position.

    (00:12:29) Leading vs. Managing

    The difference between leadership and management.

    (00:13:08) Building a Leadership Team

    Selecting team members with complementary skills to lead effectively.

    (00:16:07) Motivation Behind Knight-Hennessy Scholars

    Starting the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program and its importance in leadership education.

    (00:17:10)...

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    30 mins
  • Introducing: Leading Matters
    Aug 7 2024

    Join Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) as she interviews KHS Founder and Director John Hennessy on leadership. The topics they discuss are drawn from the Knight-Hennessy Leadership Model, which forms the basis of the KHS leadership development program. In their conversations, John shares about his experiences and what he has learned in different leadership roles, including as a faculty member, entrepreneur, president of Stanford University, and founder of Knight-Hennessy Scholars.

    Follow us on social media (@knighthennessy) and visit our website (kh.stanford.edu) for more about KHS.

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    1 min