Cadence Catch-up with Lewis #14

Welcome to the fourteenth edition of Cadence Catch-Up, our last for 2023.

I won’t begin by adding to the usual year-end wraps that describe what a stressful, challenging, or exhilarating year it was. You know in your heart of hearts what kind of a year it has been! Hopefully you ended up on the upper side of your expectations.

Rather, I would prefer to look toward the forthcoming holiday season, and how that time can be best used to re-energise for what lies ahead. If you have the relative luxury of being able to get away for a break, do use the time available to “rest well”, in whatever form that takes.

The holidays can be a stressful time. The break from ordinary routine can be difficult for some. It can also mean engaging with people we may not see frequently, where there could be some baggage. But it can also be an incredibly joyous time.

Whatever the case, I will be making an extra-conscious effort to communicate with care over the holidays. By communicating, I mean listening twice as much as I speak. Exchanging ideas and perspectives. And if those don’t line up with mine, that’s okay. The most important thing about caring is to ensure people are being heard. In our noisy, opinionated times, that could be the best gift many people receive this holiday season.

For the final edition this year, I want to revisit a couple of popular posts, and include a recent one that I feel rounds 2023 out well.

ADAPTABILITY, SKILLS, RISK & BELIEF

Over the last Christmas break I read Surrender, the autobiography of U2 singer and humanitarian Bono. It came shortly after I had identified four themes I felt leaders would need to stay aware of in 2023 – that I think will be just as relevant in 2024 – the need to be able to adapt to changing situations, to continue investing in their skills, to fully understand their appetite for risk, and to hold true to their underlying belief in themselves and their mission to stay the course. The U2 story resonated strongly in all these areas, even though it was a story four decades in the making.

Currently mid-way through a 40-night residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, U2 continues to try new concepts and open itself up to new audiences. They are adapting their live show from the norm, employing new skills to fit the venue, not afraid to take risks and still demonstrating belief in what they do. I hope you can draw some leadership inspiration from this story.

WHEN THE RED BALL SWAMPED THE WHITE BALL

In mid-2022, I was so taken by the transformation of the England men’s test cricket team, I felt compelled to write about it. The change of guard at the top, starting with Rob Key as director, revolutionised the approach to a sport some felt was in some danger of extinction.

A popular post at the time, LinkedIn interest returned in numbers during the recent 50-over World Cup in India, where England as defending champions crashed and burned out of the tournament at the group stage. Some felt it was the poorest defence of a trophy in World Cup history. The reasons for the display are many, but Key managed to shine through the gloom. The day after England’s final match, before the media could complete any serious post mortems, he got on the front foot and took ownership of the situation. In many ways, the revolution of the test (red ball) team has taken focus away from what made the 50-over (white ball) team successful, impacting planning and strategy.

The leadership lesson in all of this is, even through disappointment, Key has got in front of a bad situation and removed any second guessing, deflection, and uncomfortable silences. His captain and coach are both on notice that performances need to improve. But ultimately it’s his show, and he is responsible for what has occurred.

Can you think of a leader you’ve experienced act this way when something goes wrong?

SO TIRED

There are plenty of theories around about why so many in the workforce are “limping to the line” at Christmas 2023. Maybe it’s the pandemic hangover, hybrid work impacts, too much business restructuring, too much social media, external events like climate impact, or something else.

Whatever the cause, if we listen to what our bodies are telling us, it’s time to take a break and refuel. In this final post for the year, incorporating a podcast from the ABC’s This Working Life program, I focus on the importance of diary management, making time for activities that give us energy, as it provides a sense of control among all the mayhem, and the recharge we all need.

PODCAST CORNER

In a recent edition of Cadence Catch-Up I mentioned a podcast series I’ve discovered named Performance Intelligence with Andrew May. For those interested in leadership, and the preparation and science that contributes to it, it’s well worth a listen.

An episode I heard recently featured clinical neuropsychologist Dr Nicola Gates, where Imposter Syndrome was the subject. I’ve written about this previously, because it impacts so many high-achieving people. Dr Gates makes many interesting reflections about the subject, but what really resonated with me is its link to the mindset work conducted by Stanford professor Carol Dweck. Dr Gates calls out that many “sufferers” of Imposter Syndrome maybe have not internalised their success well, attributing it more to luck and good fortune, rather than recognising the effort that has produced their rewards. She also determines how styling somebody as an “expert” in a field can be a contributor of Imposter Syndrome, as the title implies they know everything about a particular field of knowledge, and can’t be seen to be wrong. A key takeaway for me is that healthy stretch is good, some discomfort is good, as it pushes us on and keeps us focused, and not distracted by thoughts that maybe we will be exposed about something we don’t know.

Imposter Syndrome relates to feelings about a particular context you are in, and it can be fleeting, so it really isn’t a syndrome after all.

Recommended listening.

AND FINALLY…….

Over the holidays I will be reading an array of books – most notably Scaling People by Claire Hughes Johnson, which looks to be an excellent reference on all things culture and company building; Atomic Habits by James Clear, which needs no introduction; and The Rise and Fall of Australia by Nick Bryant, which by the title (sadly) also needs no introduction. I may also sneak in 537 Days of Winter by David Knoff, an Antarctic expedition leader stranded during the pandemic.

I look forward to sharing some nuggets from these early next year.

ABOUT LEWIS

Lewis Williams is the Founder of Cadence Leadership Advisory, which provides coaching, strategic and team leadership facilitation and services to individuals and organisations. He has over 25 years leadership experience through senior roles at National Australia Bank and HSBC. Lewis regularly contributes as Adjunct Faculty to AGSM@UNSW on a variety of reskilling, leadership and development programs. He is also a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Cadence Leadership Advisory is a leadership development business specialising in coaching people, team leadership and development, strategy review and organisational culture.