In the 188th episode of The Leadership Project, we’re set to reflect on Mr Beast getting cancelled, what we can learn from the Olympics, the connection between “in sickness and in health” and leadership, insights from the US election, and our guest on 187th episode, Molly McGrath. We will have our series of weekly self-reflections where we explore events in the world, the leadership lessons they offer, and the takeaways from our weekly guest on the podcast.
A New Format
Each week, we will engage in self-reflection about what we are learning about leadership. We'll be unpacking lessons from our guests and from our lives, and considering international events around us. In the 188th episode, the discussion opens with the theme: “in sickness and in health.”
In Sickness and In Health
A week ago has been particularly challenging for my family. My wife Therese Spiers, our three-year-old son, and I have all come down with influenza A, with our son Thomas being hospitalised for multiple nights. It took immense teamwork between my wife and me to get through this week. It was also our wedding anniversary, and it's a poignant reminder of our vows—“in sickness and in health.” The resilience my wife has shown is incredible.
Leadership Lessons in Resilience
How does this apply to leadership in the workplace? When a key team member is sick, it tests the team's resilience. Can the team cope with their absence? Do they know how to rally around each other and share the workload? It’s also a test for the leader. Will they show compassion and support to the affected team member and their family? A leader’s reaction in such situations can build incredible loyalty or destroy it.
Reflections on Molly McGrath’s Insights
Our guest on the 187th episode, Molly McGrath, author of "Fix My Boss," joined us to discuss the disconnect between bosses and their teams. According to Molly, both bosses and team members often want the same thing but allow communication barriers to get in the way. Leaders need to create a clear vision, engage the team in discussions, enable them with the right tools, and empower them to succeed. This builds accountability and reduces resistance from team members.
Olympic-Driven High Performance
What can we learn from the Olympics? Athletes like Yusuf Dikek and Arisa Trew illustrate the power of high-performance under pressure. Key lessons include avoiding distractions, staying relaxed, and focusing on execution. Novak Djokovic showed us how champions adapt in real-time, finding new gears to overcome challenges.
Leadership from the US Election
The US election provides further insights into leadership. People often make emotional decisions and then justify them rationally. Observing this as an outsider, it’s evident that rational thinking often escapes those emotionally invested in the result. This emotional investment can disrupt clear decision-making processes.
The Mr Beast Controversy
Recently, there has been a movement to cancel Mr Beast, one of the biggest YouTubers on the planet. Critics accuse him of exploiting poor communities for profit. But it's essential to note that money fuels his impact, allowing him to fund projects like building wells in African countries. The key lesson here is to ask better questions and understand the needs of the people you’re trying to help before offering support.
Weekly Self-Reflection
For eleven years, I have practised a daily self-reflection regime, asking myself five questions: What went well? What didn’t go well? What would I do differently next time? What did I learn about myself? And what did I learn about others? These questions help me to become a better leader, father, husband, and person. Here are some reflections from this week:
What went well? Resilience and support from my team and my family.
What didn’t go well? My entire family getting sick was clearly not planned.
What would I do differently next time? Take the flu vaccination earlier.
What did I learn about myself? I am stronger than I think.
What did I learn about others? My wife is incredibly resilient and selfless.
Conclusion
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