The Illumify Game Changer

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]

Minisode 1:36 – “You’ve hit on the very reason most significant change fails to ignite.” -- The Leader’s Greatest Risk.

Leaders risk failure from the first moment they speak to others about their meaningful change -- unless they ensure they do what this minisode from Episode 36 reveals. Listen to the full episode here: 36. The Leader Contemplates Feeling [https://illumifygamechanger.com/episodes/36-the-leader-contemplates-feeling] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]

36. The Leader Contemplates Feeling

Your vision as a leader has to matter to others in order for them to be willing to help you realize it. In this episode, Jonathan looks at whether those in his inner circle even feel that there’s a need for change. It’s very easy to assume they do, and then be disappointed when they don’t act. As he discovers, even when others lament what is, you may be the only one who can see what could be. And be willing to act to make it so. 00:00 Amplify Question 29: How do they feel about it now? 04:28 If your inner circle doesn’t get it, is that a signal to you? 06:15 If you have a vision and put your name to it, if you’re being truthful to it, you have to see it through. 08:30 If they don’t feel the need for change, you’ve identified another chasm to cross. 09:25 The vision is two things: an understanding of the now and rejection of it; and a response of what could be, something that is new. 12:35 How would they know there has to be a change if I haven’t even said it myself? 15:00 Diagnosis could identify a solution. Could it just be “observation” instead? 19:40 I’m a good conversationalist when there’s something at stake and we get to the heart of it. 24:50 Even when they feel the same as you, do they feel the need to change? Or do they accept what is? 27:00 Metaphor of being in a mine with the only light. 30:40 I’m not feeling enlightened by my vision because it comes from within. 34:22 You’ve hit on the crux of why most significant change fails to ignite. 38:33 We don’t need to be a leader in every dimension of our lives. 39:47 Relying on friends to feel the very same way as you sets you up for disappointment. 40:16 Final Answer Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com]