Podcast Summary: Coaching for Leaders – Episode 725: "Leading with Humility: Three Shifts that Empower Others" with Joel Pérez
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Host: Dave Stachowiak
Guest: Joel Pérez, Executive and Leadership Coach
Introduction: The Power of Humility in Leadership
In Episode 725 of Coaching for Leaders, host Dave Stachowiak delves into the critical role of humility in effective leadership. Emphasizing that "leaders aren't born, they're made," Dave introduces Joel Pérez, an esteemed executive and leadership coach with over two decades of experience in higher education and authorship of the provocative book, Dear White Leader: How to Achieve Organizational Excellence through Cultural Humility. The episode sets the stage for an insightful conversation on fostering inclusive environments and addressing power imbalances within organizations.
Understanding the Provocative Title: "Dear White Leader"
Joel Pérez opens the discussion by explaining the intentional choice behind his book's title. Reflecting on the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, Joel sought to challenge white leaders to advocate for necessary changes within their organizations. He shares:
"The title itself was formulated...after the murder of George Floyd...I wanted my white colleagues...to get into the process of advocating for change...It was meant to get people to pick it up or open the table of contents."
— Joel Pérez [02:21]
Joel emphasizes that while the title targets white leaders, the book's concepts are universally applicable, resonating with leaders from all backgrounds seeking to cultivate inclusive teams.
The Centrality of Power in Organizational Dynamics
Dave highlights the recurring theme of power within organizational structures, noting that white leaders often hold significant influence across various sectors. Joel agrees, discussing how power dynamics can hinder progress and inclusion. He introduces the concept of "characteristics of estrangement," which are organizational traits that suppress belonging and drive talent away.
Characteristics of Estrangement: Identifying Barriers to Belonging
Joel Pérez identifies several characteristics that contribute to feelings of estrangement within organizations, thereby undermining a sense of belonging. These include:
- Perfectionism
- Sense of Urgency
- Defensiveness
- Quantity over Quality
- Worship of the Written Word
- Paternalism
- Either/Or Thinking
- Power Hoarding
- Fear of Open Conflict
- Individualism
- Progress is Bigger than People
- Objectivity and Right to Comfort
Perfectionism: Joel discusses how an overemphasis on perfection can stifle innovation and risk-taking. He shares his personal experiences with perfectionism in leadership, advocating for a growth mindset that views mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than failures.
"If you're going to create an innovative organization...you've got to allow people to try things and make mistakes."
— Joel Pérez [08:13]
Sense of Urgency: While often perceived positively, an unchecked sense of urgency can lead to rushed decisions that exclude diverse perspectives, resulting in significant mistakes.
"Who else? Who's missing from this conversation? Who do we need to include?"
— Joel Pérez [16:24]
Defensiveness: Joel emphasizes the importance of leaders remaining open to feedback without reacting defensively, fostering an environment where team members feel safe to voice concerns.
"I chose to say, okay, let's talk about it, because I really need you to point this out to me."
— Joel Pérez [22:33]
Practical Shifts for Empowering Leadership
Joel outlines three essential shifts leaders can adopt to empower their teams through humility:
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Reframing Mistakes: Transitioning from punishing errors to viewing them as growth opportunities. This involves creating psychological safety where team members aren’t fearful of making mistakes.
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Inclusive Decision-Making: Ensuring diverse voices are heard in the decision-making process to prevent exclusionary practices and enhance organizational success.
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Embracing Feedback: Cultivating a culture where feedback is welcomed and acted upon, allowing leaders to continuously improve and demonstrate humility.
Handling Defensiveness and Embracing Feedback
The conversation delves deeper into handling defensiveness. Joel shares his personal approach to receiving criticism constructively, emphasizing reflection and actionable change over immediate response.
"The next step would be...reflect on what that feedback is and then really thinking through the examples they provided."
— Joel Pérez [27:23]
Dave adds that leaders often struggle with fully embracing feedback, sometimes terminating the conversation prematurely after initial clarification. Joel advises allowing time for reflection and seeking additional perspectives to inform meaningful changes.
Navigating Polarized Conversations with Cultural Humility
In today's polarized climate, Joel advises leaders to approach difficult conversations with a posture of cultural humility. This means seeking to understand rather than to convince, and engaging with curiosity and openness.
"It's about the goal of what you want to create...a fuller understanding."
— Joel Pérez [29:52]
Joel stresses that fostering cultural humility not only bridges gaps within organizations but also enhances community interactions, promoting broader societal understanding and cooperation.
Personal Growth and Continuous Learning
Joel candidly shares his journey of personal growth, recognizing that leadership and cultural humility are ongoing processes. He reflects on adapting his approach to conversations with his children, underscoring the universal application of these principles.
"I have to continually create space and become more aware...approach that conversation with the posture of cultural humility."
— Joel Pérez [33:03]
Conclusion: Building Inclusive and Thriving Organizations
The episode concludes with Joel Pérez reiterating the importance of cultural humility in leadership. By addressing characteristics of estrangement and embracing shifts towards inclusive practices, leaders can cultivate environments where all team members feel valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Key Takeaways:
- Cultural Humility: Essential for fostering inclusive and thriving organizations.
- Addressing Estrangement: Recognize and mitigate organizational traits that hinder belonging.
- Empowering Leadership: Adopt shifts that promote growth, inclusivity, and open feedback.
Dave thanks Joel for his invaluable insights, encouraging listeners to explore further resources and related podcast episodes to deepen their understanding of inclusive leadership and cultural humility.
Related Episodes for Further Learning:
- Episode 584: The Starting Point for Inclusive Leadership with Susan McEntee Brady
- Episode 551: How to Use Power Responsibly with Vanessa Bonds
- Episode 565: How to Discover What People Want with Tiziana Casharo
For more resources and to access the full library of episodes, visit CoachingforLeaders.com and activate your free membership today.
This summary encapsulates the rich discussions and practical insights shared in Episode 725, providing leaders with actionable strategies to enhance their leadership through humility and cultural awareness.