In today's episode of the Potential Leader Lab Podcast, we unlock the transformative power of generative leadership and listening to elevate your organizational potential.
My expert guest is Brent Robertson of Be Generative, a firm that has gained 25 years of experience helping leaders navigate the most pivotal moments of their careers. Brett is truly a thought leader in generative leadership and organizational transformation
Brent and I have a dynamic hour-long conversation where we discuss the insights he's learned from his evolutionary journey, highlighting the importance of catalysts in leadership and whether they push us or pull us toward meaningful change. He emphasizes the crucial role of listening as a generative practice, encouraging a shift from listening to understand to listening with curiosity and humility. During the discussion, we also explore the profound impact of sitting with our emotions and thoughts, fostering psychological flexibility, and embracing the unknown and unknowable as a fertile ground for growth and innovation.
Join us as we unlock new perspectives on how leaders can create a better world for those they care deeply about by dismantling delusions and acting their way into a new way of being. This episode promises to challenge your thinking and inspire actionable insights for your leadership journey.
Let’s get started...
Catalysts for Change: Brent explains that catalysts come in two forms—push (driven by dissatisfaction) and pull (driven by aspiration). Understanding and leveraging these catalysts can propel individuals and organizations forward.
Power of Conversations: High-performing organizations prioritize thoughtful design and inclusivity in their conversations. The quality of these conversations often reflects the company's success and happiness.
Generative Listening: Brent introduces the concept of generative listening, which emphasizes full-body engagement and curiosity. This practice enhances the quality of conversations and opens up possibilities for transformative change.
Vulnerability and Uncomfortableness: The episode explores the challenges leaders face, such as embracing vulnerability and sitting with discomfort to foster psychological flexibility and genuine curiosity. These traits are crucial for effective listening and engaging with diverse perspectives.
Living with Ambiguity: The conversation touches on the necessity for leaders to operate within the unknown and unknowable, valuing experimental approaches that embrace uncertainty and drive innovation.
0:43 The Evolution of Generative Leadership
3:07 Exploring Human Systems and Dynamics
6:04 Unpacking Catalysts: Push vs. Pull
12:00 The Art of Listening: Beyond Understanding
16:05 The Unexplored Power of Curiosity in Leadership
26:23 Balancing Knowledge and Mystery
31:34 Transformative Conversations: Experiments in Leadership
41:57 Moving from Unknown to Unknowable