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The Connected Leadership Podcast

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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  • Summary

  • Speaker and author on professional relationships, Andy Lopata, explores great connections with experts and high achievers worldwide.
    Andy Lopata, H & A Lopata ltd 2020
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Episodes
  • Creating a Culture of Transformation with Richard Gerver

    Creating a Culture of Transformation with Richard Gerver
    Jul 15 2024
    This episode of the Connected Leadership podcast features a fascinating conversation with Richard Gerver, Andy’s guest this week. Richard came to prominence when, as a head teacher, he turned around a failing school in the UK in under two years. Winning plaudits globally, Richard was labelled The Walt Disney of the Classroom by the UK media and went on to win a multitude of international awards, including a UNESCO award for leadership and innovation, the Global Gurus Top 30 Thinkers, and the National Teaching Awards Head Teacher of the Year. Using his unique experience and insight, Richard has become one of the world’s most influential experts on change and leadership. Richard shares his journey to becoming the head teacher of a school that had been struggling for a decade. He emphasises the importance of human connection and building trust, describing how he fell in love with the school's community. He understood that the staff, despite being repeatedly told they were failing, were passionate and deeply cared about their students and community. They were simply disenfranchised and lacked a sense of purpose. Richard explains how he re-engaged the staff by focusing on their values and vision and asking them what they wanted their students to be like when they left the school. This simple question sparked a powerful conversation and allowed the staff to reclaim their ownership and drive. Richard highlights the urgency of education, emphasising that children only get one chance and that a single year can be deeply formative. Andy and Richard explore motivation and disengagement, with Richard criticising traditional education systems for fostering assumed incompetence, stifling curiosity and engagement. He advocates for cultures that encourage active participation, trust, and belief in individual potential. Richard underscores the crucial role of trust in positive change, comparing it to the political landscape, where mistrust fuels division. Building trust, he argues, requires genuine listening, authentic communication, and responsive action, including vulnerability, admitting mistakes, and showing genuine care for others' wellbeing. The podcast also touches on the impact of negative reinforcement and how to give constructive feedback effectively. Richard cautions against constantly telling people they are failing, as it can lead to a sense of hopelessness and undermine their self-worth. Instead, he emphasises the importance of understanding the context and reasons behind underperformance and supporting individuals to overcome their challenges. Andy and Richard conclude by examining the importance of consistency in leadership, drawing parallels to the constant turnover of managers in professional football. Richard argues that regardless of tenure length, it's crucial for leaders to demonstrate genuine care and commitment to their team. They must be present during both the highs and lows, holding themselves accountable and building authentic relationships. This episode provides valuable insights into the power of human connection, authenticity, and trust in driving positive change. It serves as a reminder that effective leadership requires more than just technical skills; it demands a deep understanding of the human condition and a commitment to empowering and supporting individuals. Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter| Youtube Connect with Richard Gerver: Website | X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook |Youtube The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring
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    50 mins
  • Sorry, not Sorry with Victoria McLean

    Sorry, not Sorry with Victoria McLean
    Jul 8 2024
    In this episode of the Connected Leadership podcast, Andy Lopata welcomes Victoria McLean, CEO of City CV and Hanover Talent Solutions. Victoria transformed recruitment strategy at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch. She founded City CV in 2009, growing it into an international business. She serves on multiple boards, including Hanover Group and Rainbow Trust, and holds memberships in professional organisations like the Institute of Directors. Andy and Victoria discuss the importance of refraining from excessive apologies and the strategic power of saying "no." Victoria begins by highlighting the ubiquitous nature of apologies in everyday life, pointing out how people often apologise for things they haven't done wrong. She emphasises that over-apologising can damage our confidence and lead to a negative feedback loop where we feel increasingly inadequate. Andy questions whether the over-apologetic tendencies of Brits are a cultural trait. Victoria confirms this, citing statistics that show a significantly higher percentage of Brits apologising for minor inconveniences compared to Americans. She also points out a gender difference, suggesting that women are more likely to apologise than men, perhaps stemming from traditional upbringing and societal expectations. The conversation then delves into the impact of upbringing and trauma on our tendency to over-apologise. Victoria suggests that traumatic experiences might make individuals more sensitive to relationships going wrong and, therefore, more prone to apologising. Andy challenges the potential for over-apologising to become a vicious cycle, reinforcing feelings of inadequacy. Victoria agrees, emphasising that breaking this cycle is crucial for personal growth and confidence. Shifting gears, Andy asks how to recognise and break the habit of saying "yes" to everything. Victoria argues that strategically saying "no" allows us to focus on our priorities and say "yes" to the things that truly matter. Victoria also emphasises the importance of saying "no" to protect our mental and emotional well-being, suggesting that overextending ourselves can damage our relationships and our ability to perform at our best. Andy asks how to navigate saying "no" without damaging relationships. Victoria recommends a combination of clear communication and boundaries, ensuring that we're consistent in our actions. She advises against feeling compelled to soften our language or make unnecessary apologies when declining requests. Victoria shares her insights on how saying "no" and having a more thoughtful approach to apologies can positively impact career development and transitions. She introduces the "Goldilocks dilemma," where individuals who are too accommodating or too assertive might struggle to advance in their careers. Finally, Andy seeks advice on how to change these habits, especially for those who have been over-apologising or saying "yes" for years. Victoria encourages self-reflection, practicing saying "no" assertively and replacing apologies with expressions of gratitude. Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter| Youtube Connect with Victora Mclean: Website | X/Twitter | LinkedIn| The Financial Times Guideto Mentoring
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    40 mins
  • Being Coachable with Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane

    Being Coachable with Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane
    Jul 1 2024
    Andy Lopata hosts Scott Osman and Jacquelyn Lane, founders of the Hundred Coaches Agency and co-authors of "Being Coachable." They explore the crucial elements of building trust, strong professional relationships and creating a coachable environment. This episode of the Connected Leadership Podcast emphasises the "relationship-first philosophy" adopted by Scott and Jacquelyn, where building genuine connections takes precedence over completing transactions. This approach fosters a shift from a zero-sum mindset to an "infinite game" perspective, liberating them to prioritise relationships over efficiency. Scott and Jacquelyn highlight the paramount importance of listening in building trust and rapport. They emphasise that great leaders must learn to listen deeply to gather the information they need to make effective decisions. This is facilitated by cultivating genuine curiosity, which is achieved by taking yourself out of the equation and focusing solely on the other person. This involves asking open-ended questions and providing space for the other person to share their thoughts. Building trust, according to Scott and Jacquelyn, requires more than just competence and honesty. Demonstrating genuine goodwill towards the other person—genuinely wanting the best for them and putting their needs first—is crucial. Andy then explores the concept of being coachable and Jacquelyn emphasises the willingness to be open to feedback, even when challenging. Scott adds that it's about recognising that there's great potential for growth beyond what you're currently doing, and a coach can help unlock that potential. The conversation explores the leader's role in fostering a coachable culture, emphasising the importance of setting an example by embracing coaching and sharing the benefits they've experienced. This demonstrates that coaching is not a sign of weakness but a powerful tool for personal and professional development. Scott and Jacquelyn offer practical advice, encouraging listeners to prioritise building genuine connections, cultivating deep listening, embracing curiosity, demonstrating goodwill, creating space for vulnerability, and embracing feedback as a gift. They emphasise that leaders should lead by example, demonstrating the benefits of coaching and encouraging others to embrace this powerful tool. This episode highlights the importance of building strong relationships and creating a coachable environment. As Andy mentioned, the themes of listening, curiosity, and creating space for others are crucial for success in leadership and beyond. By putting these principles into practice, we can foster a more collaborative and impactful world. Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Youtube Connect with Scott Osman: Website | X/Twitter | LinkedIn | Connect with Jacquelyn Lane: Website | LinkedIn |
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    42 mins
Leadership Career Success Economics
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