In this solosode I’m advocating for reading fiction to enhance and broaden our leadership perspectives - and then using this new outlook to increase curiosity and creativity in our leadership. It's not just about thinking outside the box; it's about reshaping the box entirely. By developing fresh ideas, we can tackle the challenges that come our way with a renewed vigour and rigour. This segues into the seven early warning signs of power abuse - a slippery slope in any organisation. I walk us through the red flags and how to mitigate them, from the complicity of organisational systems to speaking truth to power.
Leadership is not a static skill but a dynamic process
Why you should listen: make a leadership fiction connection
Journey into diverse worlds that can help develop perspective, empathy and strategic thinking
We explore signs of leadership power abuse
The blame game is a leadership red flag
No agency or autonomy = a power imbalance
Are you immune to the impact of your leadership actions?
Take action
Consider the impact of your solutions on others. It’s not always positive.
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Key moments
Planet Human: Intuitive Machines recent moon landing, its underwhelming broadcast, and how art and life collide.
Planet Zoë: Olympus Bound is with the typesetter and Zoe is looking for advance readers email zoe@zoerouth.com with ARC in the subject line and you could be getting an early look at the ebook version of Olympus Bound
The Importance of Developing Perspective (00:04:23)
Discussion of creativity, problem-solving, and the role of perspective in leadership.
Expanding Perspective Through Reading Fiction (00:05:20)
Exploration of how reading fiction can enhance perspective and strategic thinking.
Technical Skills for Developing Perspective (00:10:43)
Tips for developing perspective and problem-solving skills, focusing on hypothesising and examining situations from multiple perspectives.
Early Warning Signs of Power Abuse (00:12:02)
Identification and discussion of seven early warning signs of power abuse in organisations and leadership.
The Lack of Diversity in Leadership (00:21:07)
The importance of diverse perspectives in leadership teams and the impact on decision-making and technology implementation.
The Impact of Technology on Prosperity (00:22:24)
Exploration of the hypothesis that technological advancements do not always lead to greater freedom and prosperity, and the need for control of the narrative.
The Need for Diverse Perspectives in Decision-Making (00:23:30)
Highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making, especially in considering the negative impacts of solutions like AI implementation.
The Importance of New Blood in Leadership (00:27:02)
Emphasising the significance of new leadership perspectives and the impact of limited turnover on organisational vitality.
Addressing Power Traps in Systems (00:28:08)
Exploration of power traps within organisational systems and the potential solutions to counter abuses of power.
Developing Independence, Interdependence, and Influence (00:30:38)
Discussion on empowering individuals to be independent agents of power, encouraging interdependence, and expanding the narrative in decision-making.
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.