Summary:

This episode features a 'Too Long, Didn't Listen' (TLDL) summary of my conversation with Steffan Surdek. Key points include the evolution from traditional command and control leadership to a more collaborative approach, the journey of transitioning from technical roles to leadership, and the importance of building sustainable organizational change. Steffan introduces the concept of the 'Moses Effect' and emphasizes the significance of developing internal capacity. We also discuss co-creative leadership skills, the power of collaborative environments, and the concept of conversational debt. Steffan's insights provide a roadmap for leaders to foster strong relational connections and address issues with compassion.

Show Notes:

01:05 Key Insights from Steffan Surdek

02:26 The Moses Effect and Building Internal Capacity

02:52 Five Key Skills of Co-Creative Leadership

04:42 The Concept of Conversational Debt

Episode Links:

Steffan Surdek's Book: The Way of the Co-Creative Leader - https://www.amazon.com/Way-Co-Creative-Leader-leadership-everywhere/dp/103917034X

Brené Brown's Book: The Gifts of Imperfection - https://www.amazon.com/Gifts-Imperfection-Think-Supposed-Embrace/dp/159285849X

Steffan's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffansurdek

Steffan's Company Website: https://www.surdek.com/

Steffan's Personal Website: https://www.steffansurdek.com/

Summary:

In this episode of The Corvus Effect, Steffan Surdek, author of 'The Way of the Co-Creative Leader,' shares his transformative journey from software development to becoming a leadership innovator. The discussion delves into the principles of co-creative leadership, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, collaboration, and sustainability in leading teams. Steffan outlines five key skills integral to co-creative leadership, including being a voice among many, unleashing the leaders around you, developing team capacity, dancing with the system, and fostering learning by doing. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, Steffan highlights how these skills can create lasting organizational change and can be applied in personal life for a more fulfilled existence.

Show Notes:

00:32 Meet Steffan Surdek: From Software Developer to Leadership Innovator

03:08 The Moses Effect: Creating Sustainable Change

07:58 Co-Creative Leadership: Key Principles and Skills

14:31 Building Capacity and Developing Leaders

19:54 Conversational Debt: Addressing Unspoken Issues

22:43 The Unmade Bed Dilemma

23:38 Addressing the Issue

24:56 Self-Awareness in Leadership

26:02 Conversational Debt in Teams

27:06 Dancing with the System

32:20 Fostering Learning by Doing

37:36 Applying Leadership Lessons to Personal Life

40:53 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Summary:

This episode features a 'Too Long, Didn't Listen' (TLDL) summary of my conversation with Dan Vasquenza. Key takeaways include redefining success through genuine connection, prioritizing understanding before selling, and transforming personal challenges into purpose. Dan shares his experience as a father to a neurodiverse son, which led to his advocacy work with KultureCity. Another highlight is the importance of leaving things better than you found them, focusing on positively impacting others and ensuring your legacy is defined by how you made others feel. The episode emphasizes embracing personal challenges for growth and enhancing oneself to build a meaningful legacy.

Show Notes:

01:15 Redefining Success Through Genuine Connection

02:39 Transforming Personal Challenges into Purpose

04:08 Leaving Things Better Than You Found Them