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Leading Questions Podcast

We are Dawn Kuczwara and Jer Lance; technologists, leaders, and (most importantly) opinionated people who want to draw from our wealth of experience in becoming leaders and leading teams to help answer your questions. If you'd like yours answered, email us and we'd be happy to "help!"
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Leading Questions Podcast
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Now displaying: 2021
Jun 8, 2021

In this episode, we answer the question:

During a recent job interview, I was asked "what values are most important to you as a leader"? What am I supposed to do with that? I was thrown, and I think it hurt me in the interview. I didn't get the job.

We discussed "Values Inventory" websites in this episode - here's one that you can use, although there are a bunch of others out there. You don't have to use this one. Use whichever one you like - we're not your mother:
https://www.lifevaluesinventory.org/

Popinjay (n.): a person given to vain, pretentious displays and empty chatter

Don't forget to read along with us - in our next bookclub we will be discussing No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer.

May 25, 2021

Our question this episode...

My boss gave me a hugely complicated project that involved coordinating a lot of external vendors. I put in quite a bit of legwork in preparation. A month later, he told me he no longer wants to do it.

How would you suggest breaking this information to all of the vendors I've been coordinating with?

Don't forget to read along with us as we tackle No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer for the bookclub!

May 18, 2021

Let's discuss Tribes by Seth Godin.

Tribes by Seth Godin

Next up - No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer

May 11, 2021

This episode's question...

 

My position is cross-functional - I work with people from across the business in a multitude of disciplines. One of the people that I interact with has no boundaries - he is constantly working, day and night and weekends. While that may work for him and his leader, it's not how I and my team operate. Additionally, he refuses to communicate with anyone over anything but a call or meeting. The problem comes in when my team needs to interact with him. He expects others to act the way he does - he sends out emails on Saturdays and Sundays demanding a call over the weekend, he expects others to be available at any time, anywhere, with no regard to their schedules. If they respond that they are booked or unavailable, he replies "It will only take a few minutes." This guy is the core of several projects, so we MUST interact with him, and his leader isn't really - he doesn't coach or train his team and refuses to deal with problems head-on, assuming they will just work themselves out. How do I reign this guy in and protect my team from his craziness?

In case you're looking to make a Pink Squirrel for yourself after hearing about it, you can find the recipe over on Liquor.com.

The Pink Squirrel

Don't forget about our bookclub! We're currently reading Tribes by Seth Godin

Apr 27, 2021

This episode's question...

Recently, a former team member interviewed for a postion at my new company. Previously, this person had certain challenges that made them difficult to work with. I have concerns about them bringing those same issues with them now. I asked them about the issues, and they acknowldged the issue and discussed how they had grown from there. I'm skeptical. How do you balance knowledge you have of a person from the past and what they describe of their growth path over the years between then and now when deciding on whether or not to hire them?

Don't forget about our bookclub! We're currently reading Tribes by Seth Godin

Apr 20, 2021

Let's discuss Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein.

Range by David Epstein

Next up - Tribes by Seth Godin.

In this episode, we also mention Jer's blog post, A New Leader's Bookshelf.

Apr 13, 2021

This episode's question...

How do you handle it when something happens at work that is unquestionably an affront to your principles, but the financial loss would be incredibly uncomfortable. Not disastrous, just very, very uncomfortable for you and your family.

Don't forget about the book club! Currently, we're reading Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein

Mar 30, 2021

Welcome to the 100th episode of Leading Questions!

We're doing something a little different to commemorate this episode - instead of a listener question, Dawn and Jer ask each other questions they want to hear the other person answer. So, this time, you get TWO questions!

Dawn asks Jer...

You've talked about the path you've taken from being an individual contributor to being a leader - How much of that was intentional, and what was your process for becoming a better leader?

Jer's question for Dawn is...

How do you coach someone in something you're actively bad at?

In case you're wondering - here is the puppet that haunts Jer's nightmares:

Tarantula Puppet

And here's the cross-stitch that haunt's Dawn:

Nearly done cross-stitch Tiny Stitches

Mar 16, 2021

This episode's question is...

I've noticed lately that my productivity has been all over the place. Some days, I'm able to work for hours and get a lot done. Other days though, I'm at a standstill. I'm getting really frustrated because of this fluctuation. I'm concerned that this teetering is going to be detrimental to the quality of my work. Also, I'm scared it might impact my entire team's productivity and drive. What do you think? What should I do in this situation?

Book discussed in this episode Burnout: The Secreto to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Affiliate Link || Non-Affiliate Link

Mar 2, 2021

In this episode we talk about...

Recently, I started leading a new group of people at my work. In the process of getting to know everyone, I noticed something and I don't know how to approach it appropriately. There is this one person, who is overwhelmingly talkative and who refuses to even hear others' ideas if they contradict her own opinions. The only time she allows other people to contribute to the conversation is if they further her own plans. I'm concerned that she drowns out other people and is making the team less productive and, honestly, less enjoyable. How do I deal with this?

Don't forget to join our bookclub! We're currently reading The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova!

Feb 2, 2021

In this episode we talk about...

At the beginning of 2021, I'm going to be taking on a lot of new projects and work. Over the past few months, I've been freaking out, trying to plan for the siege of to-do's coming my way. I think the planning may be making me more anxious, but I can't stop myself. How do I deal with the caseload? and how do I stop freaking myself out?

Don't forget to join our bookclub! We're currently reading The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova!

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