In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Pete Steinberg to explore a phenomenon affecting many leaders today—what Pete calls “leadership shock.” Despite their best efforts, many leaders find themselves feeling confused, exhausted, and ineffective. Pete sheds light on this issue, which arises when leaders are not intentional in their leadership approach, leading to systematic problems within their organizations.
Pete, who retired from coaching in 2017, has written a thought-provoking book on leadership shock. He shares his journey of creating a book that blends a fable with real-life case studies to democratize executive coaching and offer valuable insights to a wider audience. This conversation dives deep into the importance of self-reflection, metacognition, and understanding intangible leadership qualities.
Key Discussion Points
- Leadership shock: What it is, its symptoms, and how it affects leaders despite their best efforts.
- Non-intentional leadership: How lack of explicit leadership intentions can lead to systematic issues and confusion.
- Overcoming leadership shock: The role of self-reflection and metacognition in developing effective leadership skills.
- Unique approach to writing: Pete’s blend of fable and case studies to create an authentic and informative leadership book.
- Leadership development: Why intangible qualities like mindset and attributes are critical for selecting and developing leaders.
- Role expectations in leadership: How clear expectations can transform leadership dynamics and the importance of aligning these expectations.
Pete Steinberg offers a fresh perspective on leadership, emphasizing the need for intentional leadership and the importance of self-reflection. His insights into leadership shock provide valuable lessons for anyone in a leadership position. Be sure to check out his book, Leadership Shock, and connect with him on LinkedIn for more insights on leadership and innovation.
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