Transcript
A (0:00)
Foreign to the Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast where our goal is to help you increase your reputation as a leader, increase your ability to influence others, and increase your ability to fully engage your team to deliver remarkable results. Hi, I'm Perry, Holly A. Maxwell leadership facilitator and coach.
B (0:25)
And I'm Chris Goede, executive vice president with Maxwell Leadership. Welcome and thank you for joining listeners. I'm just gonna jump right into this title because I'm super excited about the title today. Cause Perry let me pick it and well, since you guys know a little bit about Perry, I thought I got the perfect title for my partner here and my co host. The topic today is gonna be how to work with Complicated People. And so we're gonna talk a little bit about Perry. No, I'm just kidding, man. We are so excited about this topic because I think we that at times in our leadership, matter of fact, some may be around the table right now listening to this and thinking about people that are sitting with them that may be complicated, but it's a real thing. And we're not going to always have easy people to deal with and so how to work with complicated people. But here's a surprise for you guys. Maxwell Leadership Publishing is about to release a brand new book with our partnership with Ryan Leak called How to Work with Complicated People. So we have a surprise for you. You're in for a treat today. You're going to be the very first to get a sneak peek directly from Ryan about some content on this book. And then Perry and I are going to spend a little bit of time unpacking it. We're going to dive a little bit deeper into lessons. We'll talk about some practical ways we've seen some of our partners do it in the field and maybe some of our experience through our journey. But let me stop real quick before you listen to Ryan. If you want to pre order the book while you're even listening to the lesson, just make sure you come back to the part that Perry and I want to unpack for you. Just scroll down to the show notes. Okay. And in there, if you'll click on the link because that's where you'll be able to pre order the book. I know Perry myself have had the chance to look at that content and this is so relevant. We're super excited for you to be a part of it. All right, here's Ryan. League.
C (2:21)
Module number one. The complexity of leading in all directions. Here's the thing about leadership. It's not like building IKEA furniture where there's A step by step manual. Even if you still mess that up. Sometimes leadership is like putting together IKEA furniture without instructions with half the parts missing, while three people yell at you about how you're doing it wrong. It's complex because people are complex. When you're leading down, you're managing people who expect you to have all the answers. Spoiler alert, you don't. When you're leading across, you're working with peers who sometimes see you as competition, not as a collaborator. And leading up? Well, that's a whole other beast, because your boss probably has their own blind spots, insecurities, and a to do list longer than a receipt from cbs. In short, every direction of leadership has its own unique challenges. But there's one thing they all have in common. The need for intentionality. Here's where preparation matters. Expecting complexity helps you prepare for it. If you walk into every interaction assuming it will be smooth sailing, you'll be caught off guard when turbulence hits. But if you acknowledge that leading in all directions comes with layers of difficulty, you can equip yourself with the right mindset and tools. Think of it like packing for a trip. If you know the weather might be unpredictable, you pack layers. Leadership is the same way. When you expect complications, you're better equipped to handle them. Take this, for example. Imagine you're managing a team of a bunch of overachievers who keep stepping on each other's toes, and you need to lead down by setting clear expectations. Now, at the same time, you're trying to partner with a peer who's territorial about their responsibilities. So you're leading across by finding common ground. And oh, by the way, your boss just complained in a meeting that you're not being proactive enough. So you're also leading up by figuring out how to make their life easier. You see what I mean? It's complex. You're being pulled in a bunch of different directions, and you're having to lead from the middle. But here's the good news. Complexity doesn't mean chaos. When you approach leadership with empathy and adaptability, you can navigate even the most complicated situations. The most complicated people. It's not about fixing people, it's about understanding them and adjusting your approach accordingly. Expect the complexity, prepare forward, and lead with intentionality. Now, here's the deal. Leadership isn't rocket science. The bad news is, it's harder. Rocket science deals with predictable physics. Leadership deals with unpredictable humans. Each direction of communication, whether down to your team, across to your peers, or up to your boss, requires empathy and adaptability. Here's the big secret. Most people aren't trying to be difficult. I'll say it again. Most people aren't trying to be difficult, but they are trying to be understood. And your job as a leader is to adjust your approach to meet people where they are, not where you wish they'd be. Hey, everybody, Ryan Leake here and I've got some exciting news for you. Data Grow is just a few weeks away and it's happening on March 19th in Orlando, Florida. And I cannot wait to see you there. I'll be talking about my new book, how to Work with Complicated People. And let me tell you, this message has the power to change the way you lead and live. And it's not just me. John C. Maxwell is going to be in the building. Tim Tebow, Stephanie Chong, Jesse Itzler and an amazing lineup of speakers will all be there pouring in to you. But here's the thing. Seats are filling up fast. So if you haven't registered yet, now is the time. Don't wait. Make the decision today to invest in your personal growth. I'll see you, my friend, in Orlando, Florida on March 19th. Let's grow together.