Why do we do this?
We interview great leaders, review the books they read, and speak with highly influential authors who study them.
How we do this?
#1 We interview great leaders.
#2 We review the books great leaders read and write.
#3 We have fun!
Aug 31, 2016
Co-hosts Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos, discuss their upcoming expedition – the Crucible in Patagonia, Argentina. They explore the project’s conception, purposes, technical and social challenges, and goals. They also describe the participants’ unique backgrounds, and how they were selected for being selfless, adventurous, and possessing heroic aspirations to make a difference in the lives of others.
The expedition has three goals: Help special operations warriors transition to the business world. Help executives “heard the unheard” as they step back and do a digital detox. Lastly, bring back the recipe for accelerating team development and the growth of leaders. Listen in to discover the plan and the tools they’re using to predict the team’s dynamic!
Key Takeaways
[3:20] There are things that happen out in the wilderness, from a leadership and a team perspective, that just take a long time to duplicate in the business world.
[15:44] Create an A-Team with people that are selfless, adventurous, and who have heroic aspirations – people who are force multipliers.
[20:17] What can we learn from the preparation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
[23:42] Consider Sir Ernest Shackleton's legendary ad: Men wanted: for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.
[29:43] A lot of companies hit a wall at $10 million. To break through the wall, think differently.
[30:29] Don’t just incrementally get out of your comfort zone. Get out of your comfort zone in an order of magnitude.
[32:18] It’s all about focus.
[33:00] Accelerate team development: Form, Storm, Norm, and Perform － Bruce Tuckman.
[39:51] In the end, we’re going to find out that it’s really simple, but very difficult.
Quotable Quotes
- “I wasn’t climbing those mountains for the view.”
- “You’ve always got 40% left in the tank you didn’t realize you had.”
- “The tough times in an organization are the good times, actually.”
Books Mentioned or Referenced on the Show
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West