The Illumify Game Changer

39. The Leader Sees What They Don’t

Leaders can’t ignite their vision of meaningful change all by themselves, or they would. But others won’t act unless they, too, can see what the leader sees could be, or at least have a glimpse of it. In this Illumify Game Changer episode, Jonathan answers the question that can ultimately determine whether his vision ever gets realized – or not. 01:30 Amplify Card 32: What can’t they see? 02:15 A narrative on perspective 07:18 Do you see how you have a different perspective from the others? 08:35 A story of how people need help seeing because they don’t see that it matters. Even when it’s visible. 14:16 The importance of symbolism to your communication. 18:40 Picking up different lessons from life can infuse my vision and help others see and feel things. 19:10 The more sentient your vision can be, the more it will appeal to a variety of people. 21:16 We are a “composite” of our experiences, expertise and insights that give us a particular perspective. 23:25 If they can’t see it, they will not act. 27:25 Helping people see what lies beyond. 29:18 Can they see what your vision of a “shared home” looks like? 30:55 The metaphor of being the only one moved by a scene in a film. What do you see that they don’t? 34:54 Why shame, and not embarrassment? And how they differ. 41:35 What I see is not a film. It’s really happening. It really matters. 45:00 What to do when they can see it but don’t want to see it? 48:50 Your responsibility as a leader. Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

Minisode 1:38 – “Assumptions are based on what was and what is, not to what could be.”– Vision vs Assumptions

In this brief excerpt from episode 38, Jonathan discovers the importance of surfacing prevailing assumptions as they can hold others back from seeing the leader’s vision of what could be. And if they can’t see that it is meaningful to them, they will not act to help realize it. Listen to the full episode here: https://illumifygamechanger.com/episodes/38-the-leaders-costly-assumptions [https://illumifygamechanger.com/episodes/38-the-leaders-costly-assumptions]  Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

38. The Leader’s Costly Assumptions

Leaders have to be heard before they can expect anyone to respond to their change initiative. But there are a lot of impediments to people’s ability to hear what is actually being said. As this episode reveals, one of the biggest is our assumptions. They’re countless in number, and exist both individually and collectively. Just speaking of the new can be enough to trigger them. Thankfully, leaders have powerful tools in their communication to nullify them. 01:45 Amplify Card 31: What do they assume about this? 06:45 I’m seeing the risk of assumptions that lead to misunderstanding. 09:55 The challenge is that each word you speak about your vision is going to trigger assumptions. 15:20 There are going to be assumptions about me before I’ve said anything from both those who know me and those who don’t. 20:20 A sampling of different kinds of assumptions: based on logic; value; trauma; political; cultural; private; and public. 23:20 All of these assumptions test both the vision itself and how we get people to come on board. 24:40 Posing the question, “What if?” can help them feel it and see it. 27:40 Counsel on how to harness the power of conversation by hearing them. 32:30 How a declaration can cut through assumptions. 35:40 Assumptions help you tailor what to say to them. 38:28 Metaphor can be used to unlock resistance and get them to act on your vision. 43:10 Can we create something new that’s not built on assumptions? 46:40 We can’t let our baggage weigh us down. Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

Minisode 1:37 “It’d be a lot easier if they were all similar.” – Leading The Diverse

To ignite change, leaders need to engage, align and mobilize a collective. But what if that collective is made up of individuals who have little or nothing in common? That’s just what Jonathan ponders in this minisode from Episode 37. Listen to the full episode here: https://illumifygamechanger.com/episodes/37-the-leader-surfaces-beliefs [https://illumifygamechanger.com/episodes/37-the-leader-surfaces-beliefs]  Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

37. The Leader Surfaces Beliefs

When a leader’s vision comes up against beliefs, the beliefs win every time because we only act in accordance with our beliefs. In this episode, Jonathan searches for the beliefs held by those who could help ignite his vision. In the process, he surfaces three essential beliefs that underpin his vision. We also speak about the terrifying nature of truth, and the power of wonder to elevate and repair us. 01:15 Amplify Card 30: What do they believe about this today? 06:30 Beliefs are what we hold to be true. 09:18 I have to have confidence in the common ground in the things we hold to be true. 11:18 The central belief is that of sacred dignity. 13:37 Even amongst those who can help ignite the change, there’s been something missing. 14:40 There’s something deeper than human rights – the bedrock. 18:23 This vision isn’t for everybody. 27:10 Our need for each other at the heart of the vision is new. 30:15 We act in accordance with our beliefs. 34:08 Some people will be immediately turned off by language that smacks of religion. 37:35 Martin Luther King’s vision of our ability to live together. 40:10 The first step is recognizing that we walk through life with more than just one lens. 43:38 The danger is that what we see through the one lens we view as the truth. 49:50 The absoluteness of the perfect truth becomes terrifying. 51:20 How can we reach absolute truth as unfathomable complex individuals? 56:30 Each person’s distinct individuality is part of their sacred dignity. 59:25 “Kind of like a nudist colony.” 01:03:25 Retreating behind our own lens is terrifying because how then can we all live together? 01:05:20 When you say something that is inherently false but provocative, your voice will just blend in with everyone else’s. 01:14:15 I want the vision to be in tune with our inner life. 01:20:12 Does “wonder” have a place in this? 01:22:35 As adults, if we could capture a little bit of wonder in our lives, what would that do to elevate us? 01:27:50 Final Answer Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]