What First Time Leaders Should Focus On

In this episode of the Project Violet Podcast, we discuss the importance of self-awareness for first-time leaders. We emphasize understanding your core values, communication style, and impact on others as crucial for effective leadership. We also highlight the need for new managers to focus on communication skills, setting clear expectations, and building trust and verification systems.

Additionally, we explore the value of providing context, autonomy, and purpose in tasks to ensure team members feel valued and motivated. The episode wraps with a reference to Daniel Pink’s principles of mastery, autonomy, and purpose in work.

Takeaways:

• Develop communication skills to set clear guidance, expectations, and accountability for the team.

• Implement a "trust and verify" approach, balancing trust in the team with a system to provide feedback and ensure alignment.

• Explore self-assessment tools like DISC or identifying core values to build self-awareness.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Podcast preparation and photo shoot

• 00:26 - Podcast introduction

• 02:09 - Introduction of leadership question

• 02:38 - Self-awareness for first-time leaders

• 09:55 - Setting clear expectations, and building trust and verification systems

• 12:48 - Discussion about leadership challenges

• 16:02 - Debate about leadership expertise. Specializing in management vs. other paths.

• 19:59 - Cautionary tale about poor communication

• 22:21 - Discussion on effective communication techniques 23:41 - Daniel Pink's motivation principles