Kerry Siggins Podcast

In this episode, I tell a story about a conversation with a direct report and he said something interesting. He believed that a person's desire to be liked would lead him or her down the path to inauthenticity. He questioned, "If you have such a strong desire to be liked, how can you make the tough decisions, have the hard conversations, and be authentic in the face of a storm? How do you overcome the need to be liked and make hard decisions that might make some people NOT like you?"
After thinking long and hard about this, I believe that being liked, authentic, and respected plays a significant part in exceptional leadership.
Let's first establish that to be a good leader, you do not have to be liked. To be a good leader, you must be well respected and credible, which you gain by making good decisions, admitting mistakes, being honest, genuine and self-aware, communicating regularly and clearly, and living and breathing your purpose. These traits describe authenticity, and being an authentic leader is not only the best way to lead; it's the only way to lead.
But in my experience, being liked by those you lead is helpful, and it brings a sense of fulfillment. When people like you, they want to be around you. They are more likely to ask your opinion and give their opinions. They feel more comfortable being vulnerable, making it easier and more fun to partner with you to get things done. When you are liked, it's easier to influence your desired outcomes because people are genuinely engaged with you and want to help.
Being an authentic leader must always come first. Likeably should be lower on the list but not dismissed. Great leaders know how to blend them to maximize effectiveness. Learn to be okay with making decisions that everyone will not like; doing the right thing is always more important than making everyone happy.
Question of the episode: "I'm struggling with some insecurity, some baggage, and I feel like it's holding me back from doing an outstanding job. What should I do?"
Baggage does what baggage does…weighs you down and holds you back.
My advice to her was this:
Examine where your insecurities are coming from. Why are you letting your insecurities determine your future? If you want to let them go, dig in and understand where they come from.
Did something happen where you were called a failure? Did someone not believe in you when you were younger? If so, forgive them for these insensitive comments. Why? Forgiveness is the fastest way to be able to say, "Thank you for your feedback. I'm going to take what serves me, and I'm letting the rest go because it's holding me back."
The second thing I told her is this: "If you believe that you are not good at something but want to be, do more of it." Read books, hire a coach, ask questions of a mentor, and practice. It's okay if you make mistakes. You'll learn more by taking a few risks and learning what works and what doesn't work.
The only way to do hard things is to do hard things. The only way to get better at doing hard things is to do more hard things. And as you do hard things and you find successes, even if they're small ones at first. As you push yourself, you'll expand your competency zone, gain more confidence and lose that baggage.

Guest: Mike Arzt is the founder of The Public Works and has been a force of the winter sports industry for over nineteen years, helping shape an industry close to his heart. Mike grew up snowboarding the mountains of Vermont, where he decided to take his passion for the mountains, the snow and the sport and turn it into a career. Today, thanks to many years at some of the top names in the industry, Mike has an in-depth business knowledge of branding, development, athletes, and imagery that helped form The Public Works. Not to mention several passport stamps in search of the world's best snow.
The Public Works is a full-service project management firm with expertise from industrial design, engineering, and fabrication, through creative and marketing deliverables. The power of strong relationships built on integrity and soul and shared passion for brand stimulation makes The Public Works one of a kind. Their Colorado facility, which is solar-powered, heated from downed beetle-kill wood, and utilizes biodiesel made from used fryer oil to power their fleet, is a fully equipped fabrication/manufacturing shop and photography studio.
Mike is a big supporter of the First Descents, an inspiring and highly recognized leader in outdoor experiential programming. Through outdoor adventures, skills development, and local adventure communities, FD improves the long-term survivorship of young adults impacted by cancer and other severe health conditions. Their participants experience free outdoor adventure programs that empower them to climb, paddle, and surf beyond their diagnosis, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same.
Episode in a Tweet: Be a leader who lives audaciously, gives back and builds a brand that makes an impact. And never stop searching for deep snow on steep mountains.
Quick Background: I met Mike at a First Descents fundraiser ski trip in Silverton, Colorado. We flew in a helicopter, searching for fresh powder, steep lines, and a bit of adrenaline. Inspired by Mike's love of snow, perspective on the outdoor industry, and his laid-back leadership style, I invited him to join me on Reflect Forward to talk about his passions: photography, snow, the First Descents, and being a leader worth following. Mike shares what he's learned working from some of the world's biggest outdoor brands such as Burton, Airwalk, and Helly Hanson and why there is nothing more freeing than ripping on a snowboard in some of the world's most remote mountains. Mike tells about his inspiring involvement with First Descents and how it changed his life forever. We talk about why brands need to take a stand, support a cause, and make an impact. Mike is a very cool cat, and I can't wait for our next ski trip…British Columbia 2022!
You can find Mike on Linkedin and at The Public Works.

Welcome to my first solo episode in my new Reflect Forward Series: Advice From a CEO. Beginning this week, I am going to a new format where one week, I will be posting my interviews with exceptional leaders. Then in the other weeks, I will be answering questions and talking about leadership…solo! This week, I discuss soliciting feedback from your direct reports and six ways to be a better manager.
I recently had a conversation with an amazing woman trying to figure out how to be a better CEO. We talked about all kinds of interesting things, the most relevant being feedback and the importance of soliciting feedback from your direct reports and creating a safe place for them to do so. I shared our process at StoneAge, which includes managers get formal, direct feedback from each of their direct reports as part of our quarterly performance conversations. I share a story about feedback that I recently received from one of my direct reports via this formal process that was insightful, helpful, and valid. It's easy to be in your own head and assume that what's in your head is in everybody else's, and that's just not true. This feedback was a great reminder. Listen in to hear the story!
Management
Many attributes and qualities can be assigned to good managers, such as being a decent listener, accountable, organized, motivating, honest, and having a positive outlook on life. While these are all important, they are the minimum requirements of good management.
So what makes a manager GREAT?
1. Connect Through Regular One-on-One Meetings
The best way to build strong relationships is to have regular one-on-one meetings with each team member. Most people want to share certain aspects of their lives and appreciate when their boss takes the time to get to know them better, especially when it comes to personal and career aspirations.
2. Right Seat on the Bus
It's not enough to have talent on your team; your employees must be in the right seat on the bus to do fantastic work. Great managers recognize their employees will be at their best when their talents and strengths align with their roles. It will result in happier, more productive, and engaged team members who enjoy their work.
3. Continuous Improvement
There are many ways to make an organization better, and great managers are committed to continually improving. They understand that the intentional pursuit of honing processes, teamwork, goal-setting, cultural issues, communication, collaboration, and quality and content of work product will reduce obstacles that frustrate employees and make the organization stronger.
4. Good Decision-Making
Leaders who make good decisions and empower their teams to do the same are highly regarded in most organizations. Good decision-making builds trust and credibility and creates success. Improve your decision-making skills by slowing down, listening more, and considering all possibilities.
5. Rally Teams Around the Bigger Picture by Tying it to the Daily Picture
A job is just a job (aka a paycheck) when you can't see how it's tied to the bigger picture. Great managers understand that most of us want to be part of something greater than ourselves and tap into that motivation by ensuring every employee understands and cares about the company strategy and vision for the future.
6. Radically Candid
I saved the most important for last; if you must pick just one of these points to work on, improving how you give feedback should be at the top of the list. Great managers are always candid and address performance issues directly and timely.
Mastering these six points will not only help you become a better manager but, more importantly, will help you develop good employees into great ones. And that's the legacy all rock star managers should want to leave behind.

Rawi Abdelal is a Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at the Harvard School of Business. He's also the director of HBS's Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, faculty co-chair of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, and the faculty chair of the HBS/YPO President's program, which is where I met him. During his 20 years on the HBS faculty, Professor Abdelal has served in many leadership roles and has twice earned the Greenhill award for service to the Harvard Business School.
Professor Abdelal is an expert on globalization, geopolitics, and political economy. Widely published, he has written about the global financial system, international politics, the influence of multinational firms on world politics, and the transformation of energy markets. He is currently at work on two projects. One project, The Fragile State of the World, explores the interrelated challenges that undermined the first era of globalization and that threaten to destroy the current age of global capitalism. The second project, The Profits of Power, explores the geopolitics of energy in Europe and Eurasia.
Episode in a Tweet: As global political and economic systems break down, business leaders can step up and help fix the problems that plague us by focusing on income inequality, creating dignity at work, and looking at education differently.
Quick Background: I met Rawi when I attended the HBS/YPO president's program a few years ago, and I was struck by his speaking style, intellect, and knowledge of geopolitical systems. I love politics, some might say I am a bit of a politics junkie, so his lectures resonated with me. In December 2020, I invited Rawi to join me for a YPO fireside chat about the outcome and ramifications of the Joe Biden presidency. It was a fascinating conversation, and afterward, I asked him if he would come on Reflect Forward and he agreed. In this episode, Rawi and I talk about the state of global politics, why we have seen populist movements, and why politicians are unable to stimulate change. We also talk about how business leaders can make an impact by doing something about income equality, creating inclusive workplaces where people keep their dignity, and revamping our views on education by promoting trade school and alternatives to college degrees. Rawi also gives us insight into himself, sharing stories of deep shyness and how he has overcome his fear of public speaking. This is an in-depth and insightful interview and I feel fortunate to have spent this hour picking Rawi's brain and getting to know him better.
You can find Rawi on LinkedIn or on the HBS website.
Question of the Episode: Are you on Clubhouse yet?
My Answer: I am signed up, but I haven't used it much; I plan to put on a Clubhouse event sometime this summer. Curious about Clubhouse? It is a social networking app that allows people to gather in chat rooms to discuss various topics. You can't see each other; it's just an audio platform where a moderator oversees the discussions and interviews.

Guest: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator, and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy firm focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships. Susan has almost three decades of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry conferences and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. She has appeared on NPR, CNN, USA Today, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and has received numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company, and Elle Magazine. She resides in Brooklyn.
Quick Background: Even before the pandemic gripped the world, we had become a society engulfed in loneliness. People have hundreds of “friends and connections” on social media platforms, yet meaningful connection remains elusive. At a time when we are more physically distant than ever before—how can we reverse the growing trends of disconnection to forge meaningful relationships in business and in life? In this episode, I interview Susan McPherson about her “Ask, Gather, Do” method of connecting with others and her newly released book: “The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships.”
Susan shares her philosophy on why building meaningful connections can be as simple as going back to basics such as being kind, reaching out to others, and smiling. My favorite part of the interview is when she explains how relationships are like constellations and have a ripple effect on people you don’t even know. We also talk about why being helpful is such a powerful way to connect with others and why it’s essential to understand yourself and your “Chief Differentiating Factor when building connections and why you should reach out to your connections during the pandemic.
Susan is a beautiful person, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to meet her. Her book is timely and simply fabulous.
Visit Susan’s website here.
Get her book on Amazon here.
Connect with Susan on LinkedIn here.
Question of the Episode: “I am questioning where I am professionally and personally and struggling to figure out where exactly I where I want to be and what I want to be. I know that I can be a strong leader, but I don’t feel like I can do it in my current organization. I am not sure if it’s appropriate for me to be reaching out to you on LinkedIn, but I could use some advice on taking the next step in my career.”
My Answer: First, absolutely yes! Reach out and ask these types of questions to people on LinkedIn. The purpose of LinkedIn is to build professional connections and to engage with people who inspire you. You never know what door will open and what advice you will get when you reach out, so don’t be afraid to do it.
Second, career wellbeing is so important, and if you feel that you are in a dead-end job, I encourage you to look for one that is a good fit.

Paul Rees is now the Director of Professional Services at Financial Force, the leading provider of ERP and Services Automation solutions on the Salesforce platform, based in San Francisco. Before this role, he was the co-founder of VFP Consulting, a fast-growing Salesforce and FinancialForce professional services firm based in Sacramento, California. Putting his business's growth in front of his family and personal health, Paul was forced to look at his excessive drinking and absentee life when he had a debilitating breakdown due to burnout. In the end, he made the difficult choice to leave his company and focus on his health and rebuilding his family.
Paul has a fascinating story. Being deeply introverted and shy, he learned how to cope with chronic childhood illnesses and always being the new kid by creating personas through acting and music. When Paul started his career, he was miserable, always feeling exhausted at the end of the day because his job played to his weaknesses rather than his strengths. After learning more about himself through the Myer-Briggs and the StrengthsFinder assessments, his career took off, and he eventually started his own company, VFP Consulting. Quickly growing in the first few years, the desire to make the firm more successful consumed Paul. And he completely crashed and burned. Excessive drinking and complete burnout caused him to reevaluate his life, and he chose his marriage and his life over his business.
I believe Paul's story will resonate with most of us. Why? Because so many of us focus on growing our careers and businesses at the expense of personal health and wellbeing. We don't fully appreciate our families and the health of our relationships. We sacrifice what matters most but don't always see it that way.
When Paul broke down, he had to choose between his family and health, and his business. He walked away from the company he built to find balance and happiness again. Now, he isn't looking to advance his career. In fact, it's his mission not to. He doesn't want to be a CEO; instead, his mission is to stay healthy, balanced, and positively impact every person he interacts with. He finds daily satisfaction asking himself, "how can I make this person's experience better in some way?" and then acting in service of others.
Paul is a profoundly brilliant and articulate person, and during this interview, you will gain so many insights and be inspired. I adore him, and I'm pleased to have gotten to reconnect with him during this interview.
You can find Paul on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrees/
Question of the Episode: "I am a CEO and am looking at building my brand, and I'm not sure how to get started. Is it worth doing myself, or should I hire someone?"
My Answer: YES! I think every CEO, leader, and professional should be using social media, particularly LinkedIn, to build a personal brand. People want to connect with you and get to know you. Social media is an excellent way to share your unique ideas and thoughts. I have not hired someone to do my social media, as I am the best person to convey my thoughts, ideas, and messages in my voice. Maybe someday I will hire it out, but creating my own content is rewarding and allows me to show up as my authentic self. If you have started putting out content that you craft (don't just share other people's content), today is the day to get started.

Steve Burrows CBE is an experienced executive and a professional engineer. He has worked on some of the world’s most high-profile buildings and structures, such as Allianz Arena in Munich, the City of Manchester Stadium, the Beijing Olympics’ Birds Nest stadium (now called the National Stadium), and the Apple Campus. But he is not your typical engineer. His curiosity about the ancient past and how we should approach the future make him one of the most interesting people I’ve interviewed. He is a host on the show Time Scanners and produced the critically acclaimed and award-winning iMax movie Dream Big: Engineering Our World. He now owns a firm actively developing and advising developers of technology to disrupt the construction industry. And finally, I would be remiss if I left out that Steve was made a Commander of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in 2009.
Steve and I discuss how to build deep and meaningful connections with others, why developing a team is critical to success, and why leaders need to be catalysts for change. After listening to this podcast, you’ll love Steve as much as I do!
And finally, my “listener asked” question is about the essential attributes a leader needs to be successful. I share my thoughts on why curiosity is fundamental to success. Why? Curious people desire to understand how the world works beyond what they experience, so they naturally ask more questions. This opens doors, giving them an advantage over those who are less curious. Asking good questions positions them to learn how to do a job better, faster, and creatively, leading to new assignments, promotions, and raises. Listen to learn more about my tips on how to expand your world and be more curious.
Here’s how you can find Steve:
https://dreambigfilm.com/
https://www.natgeotv.com/int/time-scanners
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-burrows-cbe-pe-ceng-fice-fasce-mistructe-leed-ap-7b49954/

Jamie Gorrono is a Women’s Empowerment Coach and a bluntly put, an awesome human being. Through her coaching, she supports women going through life transitions who may feel unworthy, fearful, or lacking connection with themselves and others. Overcoming debilitating anxiety and depression herself, she has developed a unique ability to help others address their pain through the identification of Destructive Core Beliefs and change negative thought patterns. During her “Empowerment Experience”, her clients reinvent the direction of their lives and take charge of their happiness and self-fulfillment. Jamie and host Kerry Siggins talk about how to look at Destructive Core Beliefs, overcome fear, and change negative thoughts into positive ones to set your life in a new direction. This is a fun and engaging interview that all listeners will learn from, not just women!

Yosh Eisbart is a serial entrepreneur and a mindfulness practitioner. His most recent startup, Fulfilld, is and end-to-end intelligent warehouse management platform. In his 20+ years of leading, mentoring, and serving startup ventures, Yosh has come to learn the potency of blending Mindfulness Traditions and Startup Grit. He regularly authors and posts “The Startup Sutras” to capture and share the key lessons he’s learned over the years in an effort to help others avoid making the same mistakes he did, while hopefully being entertained. Yosh and host Kerry Siggins discuss the allure of startups, the value of being more mindful, and how to be a better leader.

Gabor George Burt is a leading expert of Blue Ocean Strategy, one of the most influential business strategy approaches taken by businesses around the world. He contributed case study material to this worldwide bestselling book and originated the most popular blog on Blue Ocean Strategy. He continues to be the global authority on re-imagining boundaries and author of the book “Slingshot: Re-imagine Your Business, Re-imagine Your Life.” He is a mastermind of innovation, creativity, and strategy. Gabor also writes for Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Harvard Business Review and his clients range from Fortune 100 companies to startups. Gabor and host Kerry Siggins discuss how to use creativity and curiosity to propel your business to the next level and how to create a brand your customers love and can’t live without.