Bar chats about leadership - Theme #5 Part 2

Welcome back!? Today is Theme #5 - Power of Passion – Part 2- Making decisions with lasting impact

Last week, I examined how passionate leaders have the influence to inspire greatness in others. I shared insights from my chat with MF, an outstanding leader who was motivated by a passionate leader she worked for early in her career. This leader understood the positive and long-term impact of elevating others. I look forward to staying in touch with MF - witness her continued success and 'paying it forward' by inspiring and elevating others in her network. “Passion is contagious – so is not having it” -source - Tim McClure, professional speaker, and leadership consultant.

This week, I explore the decision-making process of passionate leaders – their playbook when evaluating, identifying, gathering information, exploring alternatives, weighing evidence, making choices, and taking action. They bring foresight and courage into the decision-making process and often opt for actions that are larger, riskier, and more ambitious than addressing the direct or immediate concerns.

My chat with DT brought this decision-making process to life. He shared stories about passionate leaders in his career with the guts to make decisions that went beyond fixing the immediate issues.

A bit about DT:

• Senior partner at a global risk and advisory firm, including, serving as CEO for one of the firms’ businesses overseeing 13,000 professionals, including an innovation ventures fund.
• Other leadership roles included Chief Risk and Regulatory Affairs Officer.
• Published author, board member for a major Northeast university and advises start-ups.
• Favorite Mocktail/Cocktail – DT has 2 very different, both wonderful favorites:

1. Brunello Wine – his recent go-to vintage is 2016. Brunello is a delicious, full-bodied wine with hints of vanilla, originating from the Montalcino region in southern central Tuscany—the oldest wine growing region in Italy. If you love Brunello, I also highly recommend Vino Nobile from the same region. It’s a “perfect balance between the elegance of Chianti Classico and the structure of Brunello.”- source - Shannon Kircher – world traveler and author of The Wanderlust Effect https://www.thewanderlusteffect.com/wine-tasting-in-tuscany/
2. Ketel One Apple Martini on the rocks (aka "A Taste of Green” or Appletini"). There are so many ways to make this fun and yummy cocktail. I recommend the following super simple recipe. https://www.behindthebarwithcaradevine.com/cocktails/appletini

“Early in my career, I was offered the role of Chief of Staff for the eventual CEO of the firm. There was potential downside for my current boss at the time – he would be negatively affected by my decision to take this position. However, he focused on the benefits for my career, emphasizing the exposure to different people and the potential for career acceleration. Instead of being selfish or hindering my opportunity, he viewed it as a clear and advantageous choice… this same scenario repeated itself later in my career when another dedicated leader placed me on the Executive board, making me the youngest member at the time. … Later, while writing my first book, I got to reflect on these experiences … how these leaders approached decision-making… I now appreciate the significant contribution their decisions made on my career… they also provided me with a decision-making guide …so, when I found myself in a similar situation years later, I knew exactly what to do. There was an aspiring leader in a critical role working on my team…? she wanted to get her master’s degree at Columbia. The business unit where we worked didn’t have a program that would allow her to do this … so, I negotiated getting her into a different business unit where she was able to work and pursue her masters.? She never returned to my unit and eventually left the firm… moved to another country, now runs her own consulting firm, writes, and does a lot of great podcasts … she’s become influential in her field… I know I did the right thing for her, the firm and industry....I learned about exceptional leadership from passionate leaders ... I want to be the type of leader who invests in individuals even if it doesn’t directly and/or immediately benefit me and/or even if they are not part of my direct team. You’ve got two teams in your court - the ones you work with every day and your extended team…this can include mentors, advisors, and mentees.? ?I consider both to be part of MY team!”

DT shared strong examples of passionate leaders with the foresight and courage to make decisions to invest in people with the broader and/or longer term in mind. What if the decision involves a huge financial investment, or impacts an entire organization for many years, or must be made in the midst of a difficult situation, or in times of uncertainty? ?Does the process change? “It is no small feat because these types of decisions involve change, uncertainty, anxiety, stress, and sometimes the unfavorable reactions of others” Source - https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/2010/10/great-leaders-are-great-decision-makers/ p.3 – Highly recommend reading the following 2010 paper – “Great Leaders are Great Decision-Makers - Three Qualities to Take the Paralysis out of Decision Analysis”

My chat with DT continued and affirmed that for passionate leaders, the play book remains the same.

“I have several examples of passionate leaders I have experienced who made big, risky, bold, and lasting decisions. One was the CEO of the firm who had the vision and courage to decide that EVERYONE in the firm will take the same day off to make a positive impact on our respective communities. This very special day of impact continues to thrive many years after this leader made this decision; it’s become a global event with thousands of people around the world participating and doing good in their communities in all kinds of wonderful ways. ?This day of impact has also helped to define the culture of the firm. Another example is a CEO who made the decision to invest $300+ MM in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis to build a state-of-the-art physical training/ education center. This facility represents another cornerstone of the firms’ culture. The positive impact this center has made and continues to make on the firm, its people, and broader community, including, clients and collaborators has been nothing short of incredible.? This leader had the courage to pull the lever on a bold action during one of most challenging periods of uncertainty.”

DT examples reinforce that passionate leaders consider the lasting impact of their decisions on their team and organization and make choices that contribute to sustained success.

To help better understand and get comfortable making bold decisions, please check out the following HBR paper – The Power of Passion in Leadership: Lead with Your Heart, Not Just Your Head? https://hbr.org/2023/03/become-more-comfortable-making-bold-decisions

I look forward to returning in the New Year with more posts focused on the five themes, including excerpts from my conversations with 15 exceptional leaders.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic New Year ahead! Perhaps you will have the opportunity to spend time with a passionate bartender. You can identify them by the great drinks they make, their warmth, and the positive atmosphere they create for you.

Feel free to reach out via DM or email ([email protected] ) for questions, ideas, or if you would like to participate in a 'bar chat.' Your cocktail/mocktail of choice.

Cheers!