Digest

Andy Stanley welcomes Stephen Covey, author of "Trust and Inspire", to the podcast. They discuss the importance of trust-inspired leadership in today's rapidly changing world, contrasting it with the traditional command and control model. Covey uses the metaphor of Death Valley to illustrate how potential lies dormant within people, waiting for the right conditions to flourish. He emphasizes that leaders are gardeners, creating conditions for growth, not mechanics fixing things. Covey outlines three key stewardships for trust-inspired leadership: modeling, trusting, and inspiring. He highlights the importance of modeling desired behavior, extending trust to employees, and inspiring them through purpose and contribution. Covey also addresses five common barriers to embracing trust-inspired leadership: context-based, fear-based, skill-based, ego-based, and identity-based. He encourages leaders to look in the mirror and address these barriers before attempting to inspire others. Covey concludes by emphasizing the importance of paying it forward and becoming a trust-inspired leader for someone else, starting with just one relationship.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Guest Introduction

This Chapter introduces the Andy Stanley Leadership podcast and welcomes Stephen Covey, author of "Trust and Inspire." Andy highlights Covey's accomplishments and the impact of his father's book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." He sets the stage for a discussion about Covey's new book, "Trust and Inspire," and its relevance to leadership in today's world.

00:04:01

The Death Valley Metaphor and Leadership as Gardening

This Chapter explores the metaphor of Death Valley, which Covey uses to illustrate the potential that lies dormant within people. He compares leaders to gardeners who create conditions for growth, rather than mechanics who fix things. Covey emphasizes that the life and power reside in the people, just as it does in the seeds.

00:06:58

Command and Control vs. Trust and Inspire

This Chapter delves into the contrast between command and control leadership and trust-inspired leadership. Covey argues that the world has changed, but leadership styles have not kept pace. He highlights the limitations of command and control in today's collaborative, interdependent, and rapidly changing work environment. Covey presents trust and inspire as a more relevant and effective approach, emphasizing the need to manage things but lead people.

00:13:41

Three Key Stewardships of Trust-Inspired Leadership

This Chapter introduces Covey's three key stewardships for trust-inspired leadership: modeling, trusting, and inspiring. He emphasizes the importance of leaders modeling desired behavior, extending trust to their employees, and inspiring them through purpose and contribution. Covey highlights the challenges of making the shift from command and control to trust-inspired leadership, acknowledging that it's a process that requires self-reflection and overcoming barriers.

00:27:58

Five Barriers to Trust-Inspired Leadership

This Chapter explores five common barriers that leaders face when trying to embrace trust-inspired leadership: context-based, fear-based, skill-based, ego-based, and identity-based. Covey emphasizes the importance of addressing these barriers personally before attempting to inspire others. He provides practical advice for overcoming each barrier and encourages leaders to re-script themselves and develop a new leadership style.

00:38:45

Paying it Forward: Becoming a Trust-Inspired Leader

This Chapter concludes the episode with a powerful call to action. Covey encourages listeners to reflect on a person in their life who believed in them, trusted them, and inspired them. He invites them to pay it forward by becoming that kind of leader for someone else, starting with just one relationship. Covey emphasizes that by becoming a trust-inspired leader for one person, we can create a ripple effect and make a positive impact on those around us.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main difference between command and control leadership and trust-inspired leadership?

  Command and control leadership relies on authority and control to achieve results, while trust-inspired leadership focuses on building trust, empowering employees, and inspiring them through purpose and contribution.

• Why is trust-inspired leadership more relevant in today's world?

  Today's work environment is more collaborative, interdependent, and rapidly changing. Command and control leadership is not effective in attracting and retaining talent, fostering innovation, or adapting to disruption. Trust-inspired leadership is better suited to these challenges.

• What are the three key stewardships of trust-inspired leadership?

  The three key stewardships are modeling, trusting, and inspiring. Leaders must model desired behavior, extend trust to their employees, and inspire them through purpose and contribution.

• What are some common barriers to embracing trust-inspired leadership?

  Common barriers include context-based concerns (it won't work here), fear-based concerns (what if I lose control), skill-based concerns (I don't know how to let go), ego-based concerns (I have to be the smartest one), and identity-based concerns (this is who I am).

• How can leaders overcome these barriers?

  Leaders can overcome these barriers by looking in the mirror, addressing their own beliefs and behaviors, and developing a new leadership style. They can also seek feedback from others and build a culture of trust and support.

• What is the most important takeaway from this episode?

  The most important takeaway is that everyone can become a trust-inspired leader. We can all learn to model desired behavior, extend trust, and inspire others. By paying it forward and becoming a trust-inspired leader for someone else, we can create a ripple effect and make a positive impact on those around us.

• How can I become a more trust-inspired leader?

  Start by identifying one relationship in your personal or professional life where you would like to become a more trust-inspired leader. Focus on modeling desired behavior, extending trust, and inspiring that person through purpose and contribution. Remember that it's a journey, and you can make progress one relationship at a time.

• What is the role of control in trust-inspired leadership?

  Trust-inspired leadership is not about losing control but about shifting control from the leader to the agreement and the employees. It's about empowering people to take ownership and responsibility for their work.

• How can I assess my own leadership style?

  Consider the five barriers to trust-inspired leadership: context-based, fear-based, skill-based, ego-based, and identity-based. Ask yourself which barrier might be most relevant to you. Seek feedback from others to gain a more objective perspective on your leadership style.

• What is the importance of paying it forward?

  Paying it forward means becoming the kind of leader who believed in us, trusted us, and inspired us. By becoming a trust-inspired leader for someone else, we can create a ripple effect and make a positive impact on those around us. It's about creating a culture of trust and support that benefits everyone.

Show Notes