LFTIO CH. 2
What is the language of leadership inspiration? (pg. 46)
Stories.
What does Story Mastery require? (pg. 66)
The continual process of acquiring, collecting, refining, and expressing narratives that move you and others to greater aspiration.
In The Importance of Storytelling video, what was Emmanuel’s film about?
A janitor falling in love with a thief.
What is an example of an adaptive challenge? (pg. 57)
The problem is unknown and is tied to a deeper challenge. Created by changes in societies
When thinking about the principle of "regulating distress," what is an example of how a leader would do this? (pg. 60)
Creating a balance between having people feel the need to change and having them feel overwhelmed by change.
What can powerful narratives do for a leader? (pg. 46)
Powerful narratives can bridge the authentic, essential, depth of a leader to the complex breadth of strategy, culture, values, and purpose.
What are the six practices for inspiring stories? (pg. 66-67)
Dig deep
Create a collection of stories
Practice your stories
Find the stories around you
Remember relevance
Observe and learn from the vulnerability in great stories
Where did Emmanuel from The Importance of Story Telling first make up his story?
When he was out with his cousin.
What is adaptive work? (pg. 58)
The work that is required to be done to adapt and survive in a changing world. Also when competing perspectives emerge.
What is the first fundamental task that a leader must create in order to help maintain a productive level of tension? (pg. 64)
Create a holding environment.
What did Paul Zak’s research discover about oxytocin? (pg. 47)
Oxytocin is necessary for humans to feel safe by enhancing a sense of empathy.
What are the five shadows of destructive stores? (pg. 68-69)
Stories that exclude
Stories that tell one way of being, behaving, or seeing the world
Stories designed to make us look good
Stories that are emotionally detached
What does Taylor Harrell say change fatigue is? (1:40)
A lot of change is happening all at once so we get burned out, apathetic, and frustrated.
For executives, why might it be difficult to provide leadership and not just authoritative expertise? (pg. 58)
They must first break the longstanding behavior pattern of their own.
What is the easiest way to restore equilibrium in giving voices to all people? (pg. 69)
Neutralize voices in the name of teamwork and “alignment”.
What is Story Mastery? (pg. 52)
A combination of art and science that can be learned, developed, and practiced.
What is the five-step process for developing the Story Mastery skill? (pg. 70)
Know your story
Reframe your story
Be your story
Express your story
Discover the plot
What is underneath change that people actively try to resist? (4:44)
“People don’t resist change, they resist loss.” It is what we stand to lose if the change actually happens.
When solving an adaptive challenge, who does it require the participation of? (pg. 58)
The whole organization.
What is the main problem that led KPMG Netherlands to do adaptive work? (pg. 71)
Growth opportunities in the segments it served were limited.
What questions should you consider for you and your team to seek elevation in performance? (pg. 50-51)
1. What brought you to this team, and what keeps you here?
2. What are you most passionate about, and how can that show up more on this team?
3. Who influenced your leadership the most? How can you better bring that influence to this team?
4. What success or failure stories can this team share with the broader organization that will bring to life its values and strategic priorities?
What are the four principles of Story Mastery? (pg. 71-72)
Know your story
Practice stories
Find the intersection of authenticity and relevance
What are the 5 feelings that a leader must possess in order to be able to lead through change?
Safety, freedom, status, belonging, fairness
What are the six principles for leading adaptive work? (pg. 59)
1. "getting on the balcony"
2. Identifying the adaptive challenge
3. Regulating distress
4. Maintaining disciplined attention
5. Giving the work back to people
6. Protecting voices of leadership from below
Why do many efforts to transform organizations through mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, reengineering, and strategy falter? (pg. 76)
Because managers fail to grasp the requirements of adaptive work.