Common themes of leaders who sustain excellence:

  • They know why they’re there
  • “They always have their eye on the why”
  • “They think about success often”
  • They understand their strengths and weaknesses
  • “Surround yourself with people who compliment your strengths/weaknesses”
  • How did Todd make a quick ascent to CEO?
    • There must be an opportunity and then you “must go like hell when that happens”
    • “I love the outcome, I love the impact we have”
    • “When coming up through the company, I always kept an eye on the overall strategy”
    • “Don’t focus on getting credit for the project.”
    • “Make sure your personal goals and company goals are aligned.”
  • How he does two separate CEO roles? — “Must surround yourself with people you trust”
    • “A strong WE”
  • Calendar/Time Management
    • All meetings are 15 minutes in length — This forces people to get to the point immediately
    • Week unfolds:
      • Front load all staff meetings by 1:00 Monday. Must be done by Monday afternoon — “What are the goals for the week?”
      • Having a chief of staff is important
      • Todd is an introvert and does not do back to back meetings all day.  Needs 30 minutes breaks every 3 meetings to think
      • “You said an important word… And that word is THINK”
  • “As a manager you are responsible for the success of people.” — Management means you have a responsibility for them
    • Must give feedback.  Feedback is a gift.  It’s generous to give feedback.
  • “There’s nothing easier than sharing credit.”
  • “Management is around understanding the differences in people, and getting the best out of them”
  • “Leadership is about painting a vision”
    • Lead with trust
    • Todd’s story of his first client engagement – FAILED… How his boss responded with trust was powerful — “I trust you”
  • When managing through a crisis… BE:
    • Clear
    • Calm
    • Credible
  • How sketch comedy can help you be a better leader
    • Bring your whole self to your job
    • Build emotional intelligence
  • Paying employees to take a class that has nothing to do with work (Learn a second language, guitar lessons, etc)
  • Hiring process:
    • “What are the first 5 things you read everyday?” — “Okay, now tell me the real answer. I want to learn about you, not what you think I want to hear”
      • “I want to hear them defend or support an argument.  It doesn’t matter what it’s about
  • Books to read: The Enders Game — Incredible story about getting the best out of people and creating teams
  • To be a Learning Leader? — “A process of building.  It’s a thing you do.”
    • “Time is a really expensive leader.” “Must always evolve and pick up lessons”

 

Leave A Comment