Is Generosity the Most Underrated Leadership Skill? | Joe Davis | TED

Summary

This script highlights the importance of 'generous leadership' in today’s workplace. Through personal anecdotes and examples from prominent leaders, it emphasizes three key traits: being a curious and generous listener, showing vulnerability, and acting generously in the moment. Leaders who exhibit these qualities foster growth, trust, and collaboration within their teams. The speaker shares valuable insights on how true leadership is not about authority, but about supporting others to reach their potential, demonstrating humanity, and empowering teams to thrive. Generosity in leadership leads to exceptional results and inspires others to follow.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leadership is not defined by role or position but by generosity and the ability to help others grow and thrive.
• 😀 Leaders must be curious and actively listen to people at all levels, not just senior teams.
• 😀 Vulnerability in leadership builds trust and fosters creativity, as admitting 'I don't know' opens the floor for new ideas.
• 😀 Generosity in leadership means helping others even when there is nothing personal to gain.
• 😀 A leader's humanity and authenticity are critical in motivating teams and driving results.
• 😀 Listening to front-line employees, like technicians, can uncover essential insights that improve operations and morale.
• 😀 Generous leaders prioritize understanding the challenges faced by their teams, especially those in critical yet often overlooked roles.
• 😀 Vulnerability helps break down barriers, creating a space where others feel empowered to contribute without fear of judgment.
• 😀 Generosity in leadership can change the course of decision-making, as seen when a leader shares personal experiences to advocate for others.
• 😀 True generosity in leadership means taking opportunities to help others grow, even if there is no direct benefit to oneself.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's story?

The central theme of the speaker's story is about generous leadership. The speaker emphasizes that leadership is not about authority or position but about generosity, connecting deeply with people, and helping them grow and reach their full potential.

How did the speaker learn about leadership in their early career at Proctor and Gamble?

The speaker learned about leadership through a critical moment during year-end reviews. When they provided feedback to a team member, the person pointed out that the feedback was never communicated before, highlighting the importance of giving honest, real-time feedback and being transparent as a leader.

What lesson did the speaker learn from Rich at Proctor and Gamble?

Rich taught the speaker that leadership is not about role or position but about generosity. True leadership involves helping others develop, grow, and thrive, without expecting personal gain.

What is the first tip for being a generous leader?

The first tip for being a generous leader is to be curious and listen generously. This means actively listening to people across all levels of the organization, including direct reports, assistants, and even those with lower ranks, to understand their perspectives and insights.

Can you provide an example of generous listening from the script?

An example of generous listening is when Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, personally interviewed candidates for the vice president of operations. He was curious about the needs of technicians on the tarmac and learned that they needed more spare parts to do their jobs effectively, which led him to make a decision that supported the technicians' pride in their work.

What is the second tip for being a generous leader?

The second tip is to be vulnerable and put down the mask. Leaders should be willing to admit when they don't have all the answers and create an environment where others feel comfortable acknowledging their own vulnerabilities, leading to collaborative problem-solving.

What is an example of vulnerability in leadership from the script?

An example of vulnerability in leadership is when a leader admitted to their team that they didn't know the answer to a problem, which led to a more open, energetic, and solution-oriented conversation.

What is the third tip for being a generous leader?

The third tip is to be generous in the moment, especially when there is nothing to gain. This means using opportunities, even when personal gain is not involved, to help others grow and thrive.

What is an example of generosity in the moment from the script?

An example of generosity in the moment is when an executive spoke up during a hiring decision to advocate for a candidate with a lower GPA, sharing their own vulnerable experience of overcoming academic challenges to help someone else get a chance.

What is the difference between being a good manager and an exceptional leader?

A good manager is focused on strategies, targets, and metrics, while an exceptional leader goes beyond that by bringing their full heart into their leadership, demonstrating humanity, and sharing generosity to inspire their team to follow them.