Start with purpose, but not just any purpose. Understand the core of being "on-purpose" rather than "purpose-driven."

Join Tom Collins on this episode of the @TheScienceofLeadership podcast as he delves into the transformative power of "on-purpose leadership" with Kevin McCarthy.

This enlightening episode unravels the concept of "on-purpose" leadership, contrasting it with popular notions of being "purpose-driven." Kevin McCarthy shares his unique insights on understanding and harnessing one's innate purpose, which he likens to spiritual DNA, to lead with clarity and effectiveness. He presents a different perspective that challenges traditional views, emphasizing the importance of responding to our inner calling and aligning it with organizational goals.

Throughout the episode, Kevin McCarthy discusses the critical role purpose plays in enhancing organizational performance and personal fulfillment. Using real-life examples, he demonstrates how aligning one's personal purpose with the organization leads to increased engagement, innovation, and overall well-being. The conversation touches on key themes like the importance of knowing one's identity, the dangers of misidentification, and how purpose can act as a guiding light through adversity. Whether you're a leader seeking to inspire your team or someone on a personal journey to discover your calling, this episode provides valuable insights and practical tips for integrating purpose into leadership and daily life.

Key Takeaways:

🔸Purpose is a critical component of effective leadership, serving as a guiding force for both individuals and organizations.

🔸True purpose is innate and should not be equated with roles or titles; it's about responding to an internal calling.

🔸Aligning personal purpose with organizational goals enhances engagement, productivity, and overall organizational performance.

🔸Identifying and living by one's purpose can lead to longer, more fulfilling lives, as shown by studies linking purpose to increased longevity.

🔸Understanding and nurturing the purpose of those you lead fosters a supportive and innovative workplace environment.

IN THIS EPISODE

0:00 | Exploring Purpose-Driven Leadership and Its Innate Nature

8:34 | Purpose-Driven Leadership and Its Impact on Perception

14:42 | Aligning Personal Purpose With Organizational Mission for Success 20:58 | Discovering Purpose Beyond Professional and Social Roles

26:02 | The Impact of Purpose on Longevity and Organizational Success

30:05 | Identity Versus Identifiers in Defining Purpose

38:53 | Purpose as a Guiding Light Through Adversity

References

Center for Creative Leadership. (2024). Purpose in Leadership: Why & How. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/purpose-in-leadership-why-how/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Deloitte. (2015). Becoming irresistible: A new model for employee engagement. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/deloitte-review/issue-16/employee-engagement-strategies.html

George, B., & Sims, P. (2007). True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership. Jossey-Bass.

Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in Life as a Predictor of Mortality Across Adulthood. Psychological Science, 25(7), 1482-1486.

McCarthy, K. W. (2012). The On-Purpose Business Person: Doing More of What You Do Best More Profitably. On-Purpose Publishing.

McCarthy, K. W. (2017). Chief Leadership Officer: Increasing Wealth So Everyone Profits. On-Purpose Publishing.

Rey, C., Bastons, M. & Sotok, P. (Eds.). (2019). Purpose-driven Organizations: Management Ideas for a Better World. Palgrave MacMillen.

Ribeiro, M. F., Costa, C. G. d., & Ramos, F. R. (2024). Exploring Purpose-Driven Leadership: Theoretical Foundations, Mechanisms, and Impacts in Organizational Context. Administrative Sciences, 14(7), 148.

Sinek, S. (2011). Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. Portfolio.

Sisodia, R. S., Wolfe, D. B., & Sheth, J. N. (2007). Firms of Endearment: How World-Class Companies Profit from Passion and Purpose. Prentice Hall.

In this episode of @TheScienceofLeadership , host Tom Collins is joined by U.S. Navy Admiral (ret.) Scott Swift, who shares his expertise on the pivotal role of calculated risk in leadership, drawing from his vast naval experience, including serving as the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

With a career handling high-stakes situations, Admiral Swift discusses the significance of embracing uncertainty as a resource, which is crucial for innovation and progress within any organization. This episode dives into the dynamics of risk as it relates to organizational learning and success, providing listeners with practical insights on how to reevaluate their approach to risk in leadership.

Admiral Swift elucidates that successful organizations often conceive risk as an integral part of their culture rather than a liability, a mindset particularly evident in startups. Throughout the conversation, he shares valuable lessons from his illustrious career, illustrating how calculated risk-taking can yield significant benefits. Tom and Admiral Swift also discuss the often-overlooked correlation between risk and learning, underscoring the necessity for leaders to foster a culture where risk facilitates growth and innovation. The episode offers a compelling narrative on transforming the apprehension surrounding risk into a strategic advantage, a shift critical in today’s competitive landscapes.

Key Takeaways:

🔸Successful organizations view risk as a resource rather than a liability, embracing it as essential to achieving their goals.

🔸Calculated risks are crucial for fostering high-velocity learning and sparking innovation within organizations.

🔸 Leaders must balance risk-taking with ensuring psychological safety to unlock their team’s full potential.

🔸It is vital for leaders to reframe failure as a part of the learning process and not as a setback.

🔸Understanding the context and relevance of risk is key for leaders aiming to drive organizational growth and stay competitive.

References

De Dreu, C. K., & West, M. A. (2001). "Minority dissent and team innovation." Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(6), 1191-1201.

Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383.

Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. John Wiley & Sons.

Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1981). The framing of decisions and the psychology of choice. Science, 211, 453–458.

In this episode of @TheScienceofLeadership podcast, host Tom Collins engages with U.S. Air Force General Ed Rice to explore the leadership principle of focusing on "doing only what only you can do."

The discussion kicks off with General Rice emphasizing the importance of leaders evaluating and empowering their team members by providing responsibility and challenging opportunities for growth. The conversation underscores the significance of leaders dedicating their time to charting the course for the organization rather than being engulfed in tasks that could be delegated.

Diving deeper into leadership dynamics, General Rice shares pivotal anecdotes from his career, providing listeners with real-world insights on when and how to intervene as a leader effectively. The conversation highlights the necessity for leaders to delegate appropriately, ensuring organizational efficiency and empowering subordinates.

General Rice elaborates on understanding the different roles within an organization and maintaining an optimal balance between responsibility, accountability, and authority. His discussion with Tom Collins offers listeners actionable advice on overcoming the pitfalls of micromanagement and avoiding the trap of reverting to familiar tasks rather than leading strategically.

Key Takeaways:

🔸Leaders should focus on tasks that only they can do to effectively guide the organization, setting clear directions and strategies. 🔸Delegating duties to capable team members promotes empowerment and accountability while fostering a healthy organizational culture.

🔸Understanding personal strengths and harnessing the potential of subordinates are crucial for successful leadership.

🔸Time management and prioritizing important tasks over mere busyness can significantly impact leadership effectiveness.

🔸Leaders have a unique role in knowing when to bend rules thoughtfully, demonstrating flexibility and strategic decision-making.

In this Episode:

0:00 | Intro

5:32 | Leadership and Communication During Military Crises

10:10 | Balancing Leadership and Delegation for Effective Team Management

16:34 | Effective Leadership Through Prioritization and Time Management

22:10 | Leadership Decisions in Crisis Management and Delegation

27:41 | Sears' Diversification Mistake and Its Impact on Their Success

33:58 | Aligning Responsibility, Authority, and Accountability in Leadership

39:22 | Leadership Insights: Rule Followers, Risk Takers, and Empowerment

References

Blunden, H. & Steffel, M. (2024). How to Delegate Decision-Making Strategically. Harvard Business Review. www.hbr.org

Mathebula, B. & Barnard, B. (2020). The Factors of Delegation Success: Accountability, Compliance and Work Quality. Expert Journal of Business and Management, 8(1), 76–97.

Mathieu, J. E., Gilson, L. L. & Ruddy, T. M. (2006). Empowerment and Team Effectiveness: An Empirical Test of an Integrated Model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(1), 97–108. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.1.97

Schriesheim, C. A., Neider, L. L. & Scandura, T. A. (1998). Delegation and Leader-Member Exchange: Main Effects, Moderators, and Measurement Issues. Academy of Management Journal, 41(3), 298–318. https://doi.org/10.5465/256909

Sostrin, J. (2017). To Be a Great Leader, You Have to Learn How to Delegate Well. Harvard Business Review. www.hbr.org

Zhang, X., Qian, J., Wang, B., Jin, Z., Wang, J. & Wang, Y. (2017). Leaders’ Behaviors Matter: The Role of Delegation in Promoting Employees’ Feedback-Seeking Behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 08, 920. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00920