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.

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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