E108b: Introduction to Generative Leadership with Dr. Dave Cornelius

Welcome to "KnolShare with Dr. Dave Podcast," where we explore the principles and practices of generative leadership to inspire personal and professional growth. I'm your host, Dr. Dave Cornelius, and in today's episode, we're diving into the fundamentals of generative leadership and its impact on our lives.

So, what is generative leadership? At its core, generative leadership goes beyond traditional approaches focusing on command and control. It embraces a mindset of collaboration, empowerment, and growth. Generative leaders create an environment where individuals can thrive, contribute their unique talents, and achieve collective success.

Generative leadership stands in contrast to traditional hierarchical leadership styles. While conventional leaders often rely on top-down decision-making, generative leaders value input and diverse perspectives from their team members. They understand that the best ideas can come from anywhere within the organization.

One of the critical principles of generative leadership is the emphasis on trust and psychological safety. Generative leaders create an atmosphere where team members feel safe to take risks, voice their opinions, and learn from failures. By building trust, they foster an environment of innovation and continuous improvement.

 

A question for the Audience to Ponder.  If you could have any superpower as a generative leader, what would it be and why?

 

My superpower would be a servant leader.  It is one of my aspirations in life, and I practice to the best of my ability.  Some days, I come up short, but I keep on keeping on onwards.

 

Why is generative leadership so essential for personal and professional growth? Well, it's because it unleashes the potential of individuals and teams. When people feel valued, supported, and empowered, they become more engaged, motivated, and willing to go the extra mile. Generative leaders nurture an environment where everyone can develop skills, explore new ideas, and embrace growth opportunities.

 

Generative leadership is not limited to a specific industry or organizational level. It can be practiced by leaders at all levels, from frontline supervisors to top executives. It's about cultivating a mindset that focuses on collaboration, adaptability, and creating a positive impact.

 

A Story About Generative Leadership

 

Here is a story that may help us understand generative leadership in practice.

 

The year is 2042. The world is facing a climate crisis, and the planet's future is uncertain.

In this crisis, a generative leader is needed that is focused on something other than control or domination. Instead, they are focused on empowering others and creating a better future for all.

Ashanti is the CEO of a large tech company called Ecotech Solutions. She is also a passionate advocate for sustainability.

Ashanti knows that her company has a responsibility to help address the climate crisis. With the leadership team, she made sustainability a top strategic priority for her company. They invested in renewable energy and aimed to reduce Ecotech Solutions's carbon footprint.

Ashanti also knows this is a crucial opportunity to get Ecotech Solutions's employees involved. After all, the company’s culture was built on innovation and collaboration.  It was one of Ashanti’s signature accomplishments. She encouraged Ecotech Solution associates to come up with new ideas for how to reduce the environmental impact.

 

As a result of Ashanti's leadership and partnership with others, Ecotech Solutions made significant progress in reducing its carbon footprint. They have also developed new technologies that are helping to fight climate change.

Ashanti's story is one example of how generative leadership can be used to create a better future. Generative leaders are focused on more than just the bottom line. They are also focused on making the world a better place.

 

Pausing for a moment, my second question is, If you could have any superpower as a generative leader, what would it be and why? Hang on to this question and noodle on it.  There is no need to answer immediately; you can answer when ready.

 

While generative leadership can benefit organizations and teams, some individuals may refuse to adopt such a practice and culture. One reason why people might resist generative leadership is fear of change.

People often resist change, specifically when accustomed to traditional hierarchical leadership styles. Generative leadership requires a shift in mindset and behavior, which can be uncomfortable for those who are used to the status quo.

Generative leadership is not about being perfect. It's about being willing to learn and grow and being committed to positively impacting your leadership experience, organization, and community.

In future episodes of the generative leadership podcast series, we will explore various aspects of generative leadership, delving into topics such as 1) Abundance Mindset, 2) Focus on WE (willing and enabled), 3) We trust you to achieve our goals, 4) Win and lose as a team, 5) Partner and have conversations about learning more, 6) Run the experiment and evaluate the hypothesis, 7) Ask what was learned from failure to grow, 8) Fun & joy.  Within these core topics, the conversation will cover building trust and psychological safety, visionary thinking, cultivating creativity and innovation, adaptive and agile leadership, empowering and developing others, and sustaining generative leadership over the long term.

 

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting on your leadership path, this podcast will provide you with inspiration, guidance, and actionable insights to become a more generative leader. Together, we will explore how generative leadership can transform not only our organizations but also our lives.

 

Join us for future episodes as we embark on this exciting journey of discovery and growth. Remember, the path to becoming a generative leader starts with an open mind, a commitment to continuous learning, and a genuine desire to empower and uplift others.

Thank you for tuning in to the KnolShare with Dr. Dave podcast and the first episode of the "The Generative Leadership" series. Stay connected, subscribe, and join us for our next episode, where we explore the power of the abundance mindset and how it shapes generative leadership.

Until next time, keep leading generatively, and may your leadership journey be filled with growth, purpose, and impact.