Course Overview: Becoming a Good Leader

Key Concepts:

• Leadership mindset: Awareness of the employee experience and adjusting assertiveness.
• Scaling: Culture, structure, talent management systems, and process.
• Grace: Earning and showing grace as a leader.

Course Overview and Objectives

The course, led by organizational psychologist Bob Sutton, focuses on the interplay between leadership and improving workplaces. A central premise is that many new managers receive inadequate training, highlighting the need for fundamental management education. The primary objective is to equip participants with the basics of effective leadership.

The Leadership Mindset: Tuning into the Employee Experience

A core theme is the importance of leaders being attuned to the experience of working for them. This involves:

• Awareness: Recognizing the impact of one's actions on employees.
• Signal Detection: Identifying subtle cues indicating excessive or insufficient pressure.
• Assertiveness Adjustment: Modifying one's approach based on employee feedback and situational demands. This ability to dynamically adjust assertiveness is presented as a hallmark of great leaders.

Scaling: Culture, Structure, Talent Management Systems, and Process

The course incorporates a model for scaling organizations, encompassing four key elements:

• Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape behavior within the organization.
• Structure: The organizational design and reporting relationships that define how work is organized.
• Talent Management Systems: The processes for attracting, developing, and retaining employees.
• Process: The established procedures and workflows that guide operations.

Expert Insights from Beth Steinberg

Beth Steinberg, a seasoned HR leader with experience at Nordstrom, Nike, Electronic Arts, and Google, contributes her expertise. The course covers:

• Tips for Great Leadership: Practical advice on effective leadership practices.
• Stress Management: Strategies for leaders to avoid becoming overly stressed.

The Importance of Grace

The concept of "grace" is emphasized as a crucial element of effective leadership. This involves:

• Earning Grace: Building trust and credibility through consistent actions and ethical behavior.
• Showing Grace: Extending understanding and forgiveness to others, particularly during challenging times.

The course suggests that while leadership remains challenging, earning and showing grace can significantly improve outcomes.

Conclusion

The course aims to provide a foundational understanding of effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of employee awareness, strategic scaling, and the cultivation of grace. It seeks to equip participants with practical skills and insights to navigate the complexities of management and create better workplaces.