In this episode of the Customers First Podcast, Dr. Andy Neillie joins Tacey to discuss effective leadership qualities. We explore the distinction between managers and leaders, the importance of company culture, and the concept of servant leadership. Dr. Neillie shares his four Cs of good leadership: conviction, competence, character, and covenant. We emphasize the need for balance and building trust with the team. The episode ends with a reminder to create exceptional customer experiences and a free ebook offer on leadership communication skills.
Timestamps:
0:00:15 Introduction to the Customers First Podcast
0:02:43 Dr. Andy Neillie’s doctorate on leadership and its challenges
0:04:11 The differences between a manager and a leader
0:06:07 The role of influence in leadership
0:09:24 The impact of leadership on company culture
0:11:25 The significance of servant leadership in effective leadership strategies.
0:13:59 Conviction: Thinking bigger, broader, and further for effective leadership
0:16:31 Character: Fair-mindedness and servant leadership
0:19:33 Balancing empathy and performance as a leader
0:22:00 Leading with a focus on success, not friendship
0:24:22 Making trust deposits consistently to build strong relationships
0:31:43 Closing Remarks and Thanking the Guest
In this episode of the Customers First Podcast, your host, Tacey Atkinson, welcomes Dr. Andy Neillie to the boardroom. Andy shares his journey of becoming a high-performing leader, starting with a negative experience with a boss early in his career. This experience drove his desire to understand what makes a great leader, leading him to pursue a doctorate in leadership, specifically exploring the connection between ethics, morality, and leadership.
Tacey emphasizes the distinction between managers and leaders, highlighting that leaders deeply understand how their actions and decisions impact customer experiences. While managers focus on tasks and goals, leaders take a more holistic approach by inspiring and guiding their teams. Tacey and Andy agree that leadership is not limited to certain organizational positions; anyone can influence and inspire others; it doesn’t have to be someone in a leadership role.
The conversation then delves into the common confusion between leadership and management, with many people perceiving leadership as more glamorous and desirable. They then cover the mistaken belief that a large social media following equates to leadership and the importance of leadership in shaping company culture, emphasizing the need for leaders to embody core values and hold themselves and others accountable.
The concept of servant leadership, where leaders prioritize the development and success of their team, is explored. Andy presents his Four Cs of Good Leadership: Conviction, Competence, Character, and Covenant. Conviction involves looking beyond immediate responsibilities and considering the bigger picture, industry trends, and the future. Competence refers to executing tasks and making decisions during risk and uncertainty. Character is crucial, with fair-mindedness and servant leadership practices being essential. Lastly, covenant represents the balancing act between formal and personal relationships as leaders, finding the equilibrium between achieving results and showing empathy.
Andy emphasizes the need for balance in leadership and the importance of not prioritizing one aspect over the other, stressing the importance of leading the team to success rather than seeking friendship. Success should be shared and celebrated by the entire team and company. Building trust with the team is vital in effective leadership, which requires consistent effort over time.
The conversation concludes with Andy expressing his excitement for the future of his business over the next ten years, as they have developed a clear message and taxonomy of leadership that can help others improve. Andy emphasizes his belief that they are vessels responsible for carrying a message to the masses and that authenticity is valuable in delivering that message. The guest, Dr. Andy Neillie, expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and offers a free ebook on leadership communication skills, which covers the three crucial leadership conversations. Listeners are encouraged to visit leadershipmaterials.com for the ebook and to rate, review, and connect with the show on social media.
Andy’s Contact Information:
Website: https://neillieleadershipgroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyneillie/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user47764574
Free EBook: Three Imperative Leadership Conversations
Tacey’s Contact Information:
https://linktr.ee/taceyatkinson
Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to having more valuable conversations together in the future.
Remember:
Customer-Centric Cultures Create Magical Customer Experiences.
Now Go Spread the Magic!