The Non-Anxious Leader Podcast

Leadership is hard. Things go wrong (a lot). Responding as a non-anxious presence is a key to effective leadership.  Sometimes, it's in the worst situations that people can produce their best work. Show Notes: Success Story: Keith Jarrett and the “Unplayable” Piano by Joseph C. Bentley, Ph. D The Koln Concert album. Subscribe to my weekly  ⁠Two for Tuesday⁠  emails.

Understanding the relationship between rules, values and motivation can help you as a leader. This is true for any organization, especially those that are mission-based.  Show Notes This article from Business Insider documents one of the Zappos' record calls. Here is Zappos' own post about the call, including a video interview with the customer service rep. This article highlights Southwes...

The benefits of gratitude are proven. But how can one be both grateful and ambitious? It's clear that holding these concepts in their proper perspective is an important aspect of leadership. Show Notes: Here are two articles about gratitude from Psychology Today:  7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude Do Gratitude Journals Really Work? 4 New Gratitude Findings From Pediaa.com: What is...

Remaining a non-anxious presence when someone unloads their anxiety on you is extremely difficult. Learning how emotional process works can give you the perspective to help you be calm. It can also help you to focus on how to respond to reduce the anxiety of the situation, as well avoid taking responsibility for other people's issues. Show Notes: Generation to Generation: Family Process in Chu...

Understanding how to use the placebo effect and commitment devices can increase your productivity as a leader. This is especially helpful in developing daily routines, which are a series of habits to help you start your day off right and get your most important work done. Show Notes: Here are three articles on the Placebo Effect: Placebos Prove So Powerful Even Experts Are Surprised; New Studies E...

One job of a leader is to analyze risk appropriately, then make a decision on how to move forward. However, our perception of risk is not always rational. Your ability to discern the difference between perceived risk and real risk will make a difference. This episode deconstructs perceived risk to help you know the difference. Show Notes: Here's an article from The Decision Lab on Salience Bia...

People don't negotitate their closely held values. Identity, belief systems and the misattribution of arousal all play a role. Here's why it matters as a leader. Show notes: Why We Hate People Who Disagree: Personal Identity and Civility , by Mark Alicke, Ph. D., from Psychology Today. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion , by Robert B. Cialdiani, Ph. D. Here is a transcript of the Hidd...

Leaders who understand the effects of emotional contagion can help those they work with function at their best. This is especially true in anxiety-producing situations. Humor and playfulness affect both the leader and those around her in positive ways. Show Notes: This article explains how smiling can increase happiness. This article explains emotional contagion and the research that supports the...

The Millennial generation is now the largest segment of the workforce. These four principles will help you communicate with any generation. Show Notes: This is the research from the Pew Research Center showing that Millennials are now the largest segment of the workforce. Here is the infographic that compares differents means of communication,  and how they are viewed by the different generations....

Concepts from Agile project management such as the "last responsible moment" and the "minimum viable product" can help congregational and nonprofit leaders develop more effective programs and services. Show Notes: Here is a transcript of an NPR Ted Radio interview with Adam Grant . He talks about his experience with the Warby Parker founders, as well as how to procrastinate sma...

Leading change requires the ability to express one's own goals and values in non-anxious ways, AND to remain emotionally connected with resistors. Show notes: Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue , by Edwin Friedman, provides great depth on family systems theory and leadership through self-differentiation. Subscribe to my weekly  ⁠Two for Tuesday⁠  emails.

This episode shows how understanding the relationship between self-discipline, willpower and habit formation can help you to develop positive habits that will improve your spiritual, physical and emotional well-being. Subscribe to my weekly  ⁠Two for Tuesday⁠  emails.

Self-Differentiation is the a key to remaining a non-anxious leader. This episode explains what it is and why it matters. Subscribe to my weekly  ⁠Two for Tuesday⁠  emails.

Experience, Confidence and Vulnerability Experience is important, but not if it keeps you stuck. Research shows that learning to be uncomfortable will increase your confidence, influence and ability to see things with a fresh perspective. Subscribe to my weekly  ⁠Two for Tuesday⁠  emails.