Podcast Summary: Coaching for Leaders
Episode Title: Getting Up to Altitude, with Hayley Park
Host/Author: Dave Stachowiak
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Introduction
In this insightful episode of Coaching for Leaders, host Dave Stachowiak engages in a profound conversation with Hayley Park, an alum of the Coaching for Leaders Academy and an executive in the healthcare sector. The episode, titled "Getting Up to Altitude," delves into Hayley's journey of leadership development, focusing on elevating her leadership perspective to achieve greater organizational success.
Background: Who is Hayley Park?
Hayley Park leads a comprehensive pharmacy team within a large integrated healthcare system. Her role encompasses every facet of pharmacy practice, including dispensing medications, clinical pharmacy services, inpatient acute care, mail order services, and managing a call center. The complexity and scale of her responsibilities underscore the challenges she faces in leadership within a vast organization.
Discovering the Need for Growth
Initial Challenge:
Hayley's journey toward growth began when she encountered discomfort following a 360-degree survey after a promotion to a new role. She realized that her existing leadership methods were insufficient for her current responsibilities.
Hayley Park:
"[...] as a leader, I knew that I wanted to practice. I needed to have that hands-on, problem-based approach because even though I was reading and listening and knew where I wanted to go in the moment, I wasn't able to get there."
— Hayley Park, [02:07]
Searching for Solutions:
Seeking answers to improve her leadership skills, Hayley turned to lifelong learning through reading, mentoring, and eventually, podcasts. She discovered Coaching for Leaders amidst her search for comprehensive leadership resources.
Hayley Park:
"[...] Coaching for Leaders really stood out because of the breadth of topics that were being aired."
— Hayley Park, [02:45]
Joining the Coaching for Leaders Academy
Motivation to Apply:
The Academy appealed to Hayley due to its coaching-based approach and diverse range of leadership topics. She sought a structured, hands-on environment where she could address real-world leadership challenges alongside peers.
Hayley Park:
"I sensed that it was a safe space, you're not alone, and you had some accountability partners who were on a similar journey that together you could problem solve and get to that place where you wanted to be as a leader."
— Hayley Park, [03:23]
Zeroing In: Prioritizing Leadership Focus
A significant part of Hayley's development involved narrowing down her leadership improvement areas. Initially overwhelmed by numerous potential focus points, Hayley learned to prioritize effectively through the Academy's structured sessions and peer interactions.
Hayley Park:
"I remember my first draft was actually a few pages long because I had too much on there. Just like in the real world where we're trying to multitask and take on too many priorities."
— Hayley Park, [04:41]
Through collaborative efforts, she honed in on three key areas, enabling her to concentrate her efforts and achieve meaningful progress.
Building Relationships and Gaining Altitude
Defining Altitude in Leadership:
Drawing inspiration from her mentor Tom Henschel's GPS analogy, Hayley focused on elevating her leadership perspective—getting "up to altitude" to view the bigger picture. This shift was crucial in addressing underlying issues related to relationship building within her organization.
Hayley Park:
"[...] altitude was really the action that I could take to find the improvements that would address multiple different things if I took a step back."
— Hayley Park, [06:28]
Implementing Change:
Hayley transformed her approach to interactions with senior leaders by asking open-ended questions, a technique inspired by Michael Bungay Stanier's coaching methods. This not only deepened her understanding of their priorities but also enriched her strategic contributions.
Hayley Park:
"The question that I started with before I brought the information forward was to ask the senior leader, 'What's on your mind?'"
— Hayley Park, [08:33]
Impact on Team and Organizational Performance
Enhanced Team Dynamics:
By embedding open-ended questions into her leadership practice, Hayley fostered stronger relationships within her team. This inclusive approach led to improved communication, better prioritization of team efforts, and increased confidence in decision-making.
Hayley Park:
"[...] our team performed excellent in our ratings, our performance goals. And just hearing from our team that it was a collaborative process, it was inclusive, this is probably our best performance in years..."
— Hayley Park, [12:58]
Organizational Alignment:
Achieving alignment across departments and understanding the broader organizational goals allowed Hayley's team to contribute more effectively, leading to significant performance improvements.
Lessons Learned: The Power of Community and Reflection
Community Support:
Hayley's experience underscored the importance of not navigating leadership challenges alone. The Academy provided a supportive community where shared experiences and collective problem-solving were pivotal in her growth.
Hayley Park:
"You don't have to do this alone was probably the biggest learning that I had through the Academy."
— Hayley Park, [15:34]
Reflective Practice:
Regular reflection and the exchange of diverse perspectives within the Academy helped Hayley refine her leadership strategies and maintain accountability.
Conclusion: Leadership is a Journey
Hayley Park's story exemplifies how intentional effort, supported by a strong community, can lead to substantial leadership development. By elevating her perspective and fostering meaningful relationships, Hayley not only improved her own leadership capabilities but also drove her team's and organization's success.
Dave Stachowiak:
"Leaders aren't born, they're made."
— Dave Stachowiak, [15:43]
For those at an inflection point in their leadership journey, Coaching for Leaders Academy offers a transformative experience through structured coaching, community support, and practical strategies for growth.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize Focus Areas: Narrowing down leadership improvement areas leads to more effective and manageable growth.
- Elevate Perspective: Adopting a higher vantage point helps in understanding and addressing broader organizational dynamics.
- Foster Relationships: Building strong, open relationships with senior leaders and team members enhances collaboration and performance.
- Leverage Community: Engaging with a supportive community provides valuable insights, accountability, and shared experiences.
- Consistent Reflection: Regularly assessing and reflecting on leadership practices ensures continuous improvement and alignment with organizational goals.
Notable Quotes
-
Hayley Park:
"You don't have to do this alone was probably the biggest learning that I had through the Academy."
— Hayley Park, [15:34] -
Hayley Park:
"What's on your mind?"
— Hayley Park, [08:33] -
Dave Stachowiak:
"Leaders aren't born, they're made."
— Dave Stachowiak, [15:43]
This episode offers valuable insights for leaders seeking to elevate their leadership skills, emphasizing the importance of focused growth, relationship-building, and community support in achieving organizational excellence.