Newsletter – Summer 2024
Every other month, I offer one big idea, two tips for leaders, and three useful resources for developing leaders and teams.
[Reading time: about five minutes.]
News from Russ
I’m excited to announce two noteworthy news items:
(1) I'm delighted to be featured as a guest columnist in NorthBay Biz magazine, where I share insights on how high-performing teams transform conflict into a competitive edge. Check out the article to learn more!
(2) Join me for a special, in-person offering of Leadership and the Middle Path in September in Petaluma, CA. This foundational workshop helps new and emerging managers build essential collaborative problem-solving skills. If you live in the SF Bay Area, come join us—and bring your team!
“My team now has a shared language for solving problems, and tools for having more ‘data-rich’ conversations. I use Russ' Middle Path frameworks daily and recommend them highly.” –Peter Bui, Sr. Software Engineer, Patreon
1 – One Big Idea
The "knower trap," a cognitive bias coined by Chris Holmberg, can sabotage problem-solving efforts. This trap manifests as either arrogance or deference, leading to data-poor conversations and suboptimal solutions. In a recent blog post, I explain the trap, its impact, and strategies for avoiding it by cultivating a "middle path" mindset—an integration of confidence and humility. By fostering openness and curiosity, leaders can enhance their teams' problem-solving abilities and gain a competitive edge.
2 – Two Tips for Leaders
(1) Discover the secrets to creating a sustainable learning organization in my summary of Chris Argyris' work, Teaching Smart People How to Learn. I highlight five key principles for fostering a culture of continuous growth and transforming teams into adaptable, resilient powerhouses.
(2) Learn about the world of superforecasters and their techniques for achieving remarkable accuracy in predictions. In my summary of the Freakonomics podcast episode, "How to Be Less Terrible at Predicting the Future," I offer seven characteristics of super forecasters and insights on how to improve your own forecasting skills.
3 – Three Useful Resources
(1) Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Rutger Bregman, challenges common assumptions about human nature and offers a refreshingly optimistic perspective. This transformative work invites readers to reframe their understanding and actively participate in building a more compassionate, collaborative future.
(2) Listen to Claire Hughes Johnson (former COO of Stripe) discuss her use of the "left-hand column" framework on The Tim Ferriss Show podcast. She shares examples of how she uses this tool to communicate effectively and drive action.
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(3) In the Hidden Brain episode, "Are You Listening?", psychologist Guy Itzchakov shares his insights on common pitfalls of communication and provides actionable strategies to enhance your listening skills. If you're working on developing a culture of collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect, this episode is a must-listen.
Upcoming Workshops
I have three notable workshops coming up this fall, including an in-person, Bay Area workshop for new and emerging managers.
(1) Leadership and the Middle Path (Online) – Starting September 12, 2024
(2) Leadership and the Middle Path (In-Person in Petaluma, CA) – Starting September 25, 2024
(3) Leading One-to-One (Online) – Starting November 14, 2024 – Ideal for technical leaders who want to learn more about coaching and influence skills.
"One of the many results of Leadership and the Middle Path for me was I can now much more readily zoom out from the weeds of an issue and engage in systems-level thinking about potential solutions. This has already begun to improve the quality of our team’s output—we are clearer on our objectives and more likely to identify non-obvious root causes of problems. I wholeheartedly recommend Russ’ training, especially if you are a new leader in need of tools you will use long after the training is complete!" –Marie-Claire Conlin, Research Program Manager, St. Michael's Hospital
About Russ Powell Consulting
I help growing startups and small organizations build strong, effective leaders who can guide their teams to success. If you're struggling with issues like lack of alignment, low accountability, project delays, unclear priorities, or high turnover, these often stem from underdeveloped leadership skills. I offer workshops and consulting services to foster better problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and decision-making within your company.
Let's connect and discuss how I can support your leadership development goals!
Please note that the foundational leadership workshops I offer—Leadership and the Middle Path and Leading One-to-One—were designed by leadership and organizational development expert, Chris Holmberg of Middle Path Consulting. I am licensed to facilitate them.
Thank you for being part of our leadership development community!