In this episode, Tom and Justin discuss the importance of character in leadership. They define character as who you are and how you manifest yourself to the world. They explore the dual nature of character, which includes how you interact with yourself and how you interact with others. They emphasize the need for leaders to be able to lead themselves before they can effectively lead others. They also discuss the role of honesty and integrity in leadership and how leaders with good character are more likely to be trusted and followed. They provide practical tips for improving character, such as journaling, seeking accountability, and practicing virtues. Key ideas covered in this episode include character, leadership, self-awareness, integrity, honesty, virtues, self-discipline, and accountability.

Takeaways

• Character is the bedrock of leadership and encompasses how you manifest yourself to the world.
• Leaders must be able to lead themselves before they can effectively lead others.
• Honesty and integrity are essential virtues for leaders and contribute to trust and followership.
• Improving character requires self-awareness, accountability, and practice of virtues.
• Leaders with good character are more likely to be successful and have a positive impact.

Key References

• Bass, B. M., & Steidlmeier, P. (1999). Ethics, character, and authentic transformational leadership behavior. Leadership Quarterly, 10(2), 181-217.
• Ciulla, J. B. (2014). Ethics, the Heart of Leadership (3rd ed.).
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Harper & Row.
• George, B., Sims, P., McLean, A. N., & Mayer, D. (2007). Discovering Your Authentic Leadership. Harvard Business Review, 85(2), 129-138.
• Gini, A. (2004). Ethics and Leadership. Business and Society Review, 109(3), 325-342.
• Walumbwa, F. O., Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Wernsing, T. S., & Peterson, S. J. (2008). Authentic Leadership: Development and Validation of a Theory-Based Measure. Journal of Management, 34(1), 89-126.
• Luthans, F., & Avolio, B. J. (2003). Authentic Leadership: A Positive Developmental Approach. In K. S. Cameron, J. E. Dutton, & R. E. Quinn (Eds.), Positive Organizational Scholarship: Foundations of a New Discipline (pp. 241-261). Berrett-Koehler.
• Trevino, L. K., Hartman, L. P., & Brown, M. (2000). Moral Person and Moral Manager: How Executives Develop a Reputation for Ethical Leadership. California Management Review, 42(4), 128-142.
• Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press.

Book Reference

Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2021). Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership. Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1119687016

Sun-Tzu. (2003). The Art of War (J. Minford, Ed.). Penguin Books. New York. ISBN: 978-0140439199

In this captivating episode of the Science of Leadership, host Tom Collins welcomes distinguished military leader General Vince Brooks.

General Brooks is a West Point graduate and a veteran of three wars. He led 650,000 personnel as Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Combined Forces Command, and U.N. Command, and served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Highly decorated, his honors include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters and a Bronze Star. Post-retirement, he has joined the boards of several corporations.

General Brooks, with his extensive background in commanding vast forces and his profound leadership insights, shares valuable lessons on leadership, particularly focusing on the concept of servant leadership. His discussion with Dr. Collins spans from recounting personal experiences in Iraq to articulating the essence of humility, courage, and the significance of creating a lasting legacy through effective leadership.

Dr. Collins and General Brooks delve deep into the principles of servant leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is centered around the lead, not the leader. General Brooks shares a poignant story from his time in Iraq that exemplifies this approach, highlighting the importance of selflessness and prioritizing the well-being and success of those you lead. Throughout the conversation, the two underscore the importance of humility, self-reflection, and continuous learning in cultivating a leadership style that inspires trust and collective achievement.

Key Takeaways:

🔸Leadership Focus: True leadership is about prioritizing the needs and growth of those you lead, rather than seeking personal glory.

🔸Servant Leadership: Exercising servant leadership involves setting an example and subordinating personal interests for the collective good.

🔸Humility in Leadership: Humility is crucial in effective leadership; it helps leaders stay grounded and better connect with their teams.

🔸Continuous Learning: Great leaders are always open to learning and improving, valuing feedback and reflecting on their experiences.

🔸Creating a Legacy: The ultimate success of a leader is measured by the success and growth of their followers.

Resources: Connect with General Vince Brooks on LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-brooks-757116189/

United States Military Academy at West Point | https://www.westpoint.edu/

Book References:

"Servant Leadership" by Robert Greenleaf ISBN-13:‎ 978-0809105540

"Leading with a Limp" by Dan Allender ISBN-13:‎ 978-1578569526

We hope this episode has provided you with profound insights into effective leadership. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on the Science of Leadership, and remember to keep striving for character, competence, and caring in your own leadership journey.

Dr. Lori Armstrong discusses the importance of asking the right question in leadership and communication. Asking the right questions leads to clarity of understanding and helps deliver messages accurately. It also shows that the conversation is important and that the leader cares. Dr. Armstrong shares a story about how asking the right question saved a colleague's marriage and helped her husband overcome substance abuse. Asking the right question can have a profound impact on individuals and their lives. It builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates opportunities for growth. Asking the right questions enhances critical thinking and problem-solving. It also facilitates understanding and clarification, encouraging engagement and participation. Asking questions in a curious and interested manner increases competence, autonomy, and relatedness among team members, fostering stronger relationships and innovation. To become better at asking the right questions, it is important to tailor questions to the person and context, be clear and specific, ask open-ended questions, be curious and not judgmental, use reflective questions, ask for clarification when needed, stay neutral, time the question appropriately, ask 'what else?', and ask solution-oriented questions.

Key concepts in this episode include communication, leadership, asking the right question, clarity, understanding, care, trust, relationships, growth, critical thinking, problem-solving, clarification, engagement, participation, competence, autonomy, relatedness, relationships, innovation, curiosity, reflective questions, neutrality, timing, solution-oriented questions

Takeaways

• Asking the right question leads to clarity of understanding and accurate message delivery.
• Asking the right question shows that the conversation is important and that the leader cares.
• Asking the right question can have a profound impact on individuals and their lives.
• Asking the right question builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates opportunities for growth. Asking the right questions enhances critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Asking questions facilitates understanding and clarification, encouraging engagement and participation.
• Asking questions in a curious and interested manner increases competence, autonomy, and relatedness among team members, fostering stronger relationships and innovation.
• To become better at asking the right questions, tailor questions to the person and context, be clear and specific, ask open-ended questions, be curious and not judgmental, use reflective questions, ask for clarification when needed, stay neutral, time the question appropriately, ask 'what else?', and ask solution-oriented questions.

Key References:

Enhances Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

• Tofel-Grehl, C., & Feldon, D. F. (2013). Cognitive task analysis-based training: A meta-analysis of studies. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(3), 763–775. DOI: 10.1037/a0033455.
• Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). The Miniature Guide to Socratic Questioning. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Facilitates Understanding and Clarification

• Janssen, O. (2005). The role of frustration in communication: A theoretical framework. Academy of Management Review, 30(4), 723–739.
• Brownell, J. (2012). Listening: Attitudes, Principles, and Skills (5th ed.). Pearson Education.

Encourages Engagement and Participation

• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior. Plenum Press.
• Koestner, R., Ryan, R. M., Bernieri, F., & Holt, K. (1984). Setting limits on children's behavior: The differential effects of controlling vs. informational styles on intrinsic motivation and creativity. Journal of Personality, 52(3), 233–248.
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

Builds Stronger Relationships

• Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In S. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of Personal Relationships: Theory, Research, and Interventions (pp. 367–389). Wiley.

Fosters Innovation

• Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383.