Curious Leadership with Dominic Monkhouse – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Summary

In this conversation, Dominic Monkhouse and Ben Arendt, author of 'How to Suck Less as a Manager: A Practical Guide to Making Your Team Less Miserable Today', discuss the challenges and nuances of effective management and leadership. They explore the importance of understanding team members, adapting to change, and fostering a culture of trust and autonomy. The discussion also touches on the impact of leadership on employee wellbeing, the significance of company values, and the lessons learned from both good and bad management experiences. Arant advocates for a more empathetic approach to leadership, encouraging managers to connect with their teams and prioritise mental health and engagement.

Takeaways

• Management is about continuous improvement, not perfection.
• Understanding your team's personal goals can enhance motivation.
• Mental wellbeing is crucial for productivity and engagement.
• Trust and autonomy are key to effective leadership.
• Company values should be authentic and practiced, not just stated.
• Not everyone is cut out for management roles.
• Effective communication can resolve conflicts and improve team dynamics.
• Leaders should invite skepticism and differing opinions to foster innovation.
• Self-awareness is essential for effective management.
• Leadership impacts employee wellbeing significantly.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to Management Insights

(03:11) The Importance of Understanding Your Team

(06:00) Adapting to Change and Mental Wellbeing

(08:52) Trust and Autonomy in Leadership

(12:13) The Role of Values in Company Culture

(15:07) Learning from Bad Management Experiences

(17:48) The Transition from Individual Contributor to Manager

(21:08) The Impact of Leadership on Wellbeing

(23:57) Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

(27:12) Final Thoughts and Recommendations

About Ben Arendt

Ben is the author of the Amazon best-selling “How To Suck Less as a Manager: A Practical Guide to Making Your Team Less Miserable Today!” and the founder of Depth Charge Consulting.

Ben’s years in the US government, CEB, and Gartner shaped his approach to serving leaders and their organizations. Through these experiences, Ben has supported hundreds of executives around the C-Suite, empowering leaders to achieve their goals, whether double-digit growth, improved employee experiences, or successful transformation.

At Depth Charge, Ben's two main customer groups include: Development-focused executives looking to improve manager quality at their organizations

GTM leaders seeking to improve sales efficacy, messaging, and commercial acumen.

Industry/Sector Expertise: Technology (incl/ SaaS), Energy, Retail, Manufacturing, Government, Education, Healthcare, Insurance, Financial Services, Professional Services, BioTech/Pharma, Nonprofit

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Mind Your F**king Business

Summary

The conversation explores the concept of high-performing sales behaviour and the challenges faced by sales professionals in the current market. It delves into the importance of understanding buyer indecision and the four key behaviours that help overcome it. The conversation also touches on the role of persuasion in sales, the need for sellers to adapt to changing buyer behaviours, and the potential retirement of salespeople who are not effective in their roles. In this conversation, Ted McKenna and Dominic Monkhouse discuss the importance of establishing trust and expertise in the sales process. They emphasise the need for sellers to own the flow of information and demonstrate their knowledge and experience to buyers. They also explore different profiles of business developers, with the activator profile being the most successful. Ted shares his thoughts on success, the most significant risk he's taken, and the worst business advice he's received.

Takeaways

• High-performing sales behaviour is defined as the top 20% of performers in a company, and it is important to study their behaviour to replicate their success.
• Buyer indecision is a common challenge in sales, and it is driven by fears such as options overload, analysis paralysis, and fear of failure.
• Sellers should be cautious about using persuasion techniques when buyers are indecisive, as it can backfire and make the situation worse.
• To help buyers overcome indecision, sellers should focus on understanding the depth of indecision, making firm recommendations, limiting excessive exploration, and managing risk.
• The sales profession needs to evolve and keep pace with changing buyer behaviours and preferences.
• There is still a need for salespeople, as buyers rely on them for guidance, assurance, and personalised recommendations. Establishing trust and expertise is crucial in the sales process.
• Sellers should own the flow of information and demonstrate their knowledge and experience to buyers.
• The activator profile is the most successful in business development.
• Success is measured by doing right by the people you love and finding joy in your work.
• Trying to be all things to all people is not effective in business.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to High-Performing Sales

(02:53) Defining High Performance in Sales

(06:04) The Role of Salespeople in Modern Buying

(09:05) Understanding Buyer Indecision

(11:48) The Jolt Effect and Overcoming Indecision

(18:00) Key Behaviors of Successful Sellers

(24:11) The Activator Advantage in Sales

(29:56) Professional Services and Selling Dynamics

(36:00) Books and Resources for Sales Professionals

(41:49) Personal Insights and Closing Thoughts

About Ted Mckenna

Ted McKenna is one of the world's leading experts in sales, business development, and customer experience and a co-author of the bestselling book The JOLT Effect: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision and the upcoming book The Activator Advantage: What Today's Rainmakers Do Differently (April 2025).

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Mind Your F**king Business

Summary

🎙️ Get ready for a transformative episode of the Mind Your F**king Business podcast with Dominic Monkhouse! This week, Dominic sits down with leadership guru Kyle McDowell, author of the revolutionary book, 'Begin With We'. Dive deep into their dynamic discussion on overturning traditional corporate hierarchies and embracing a principle-based leadership style that champions collaboration and authenticity.

🌟 From Kyle's own radical shift from conventional management to leading with principles to tackling the pervasive challenges of toxic work cultures, this conversation is packed with insights. They explore the seismic impact of shifting from a 'me' to a 'we' mindset, underscore the importance of genuine connections within the C-suite, and dissect the destructive nature of office gossip.

💡 Plus, don't miss Kyle's breakdown of the 10 cardinal principles of leadership that could redefine your approach to team dynamics and personal accountability. Learn why embracing vulnerability and authenticity isn't just good practice—it's essential for creating a culture of excellence and trust.

🔥 Tune in as they reveal how true leadership means leading by example, owning your mistakes, and stepping up to challenges head-on. This isn't just another leadership discussion; it's a call to fundamentally change how you lead.

Takeaways

• Leadership principles are essential for creating high-performing teams and organizations.
• Collaboration is crucial in the C-suite and throughout the organization.
• There is often a disconnect between leaders' perceptions and the reality of their teams' experiences.
• Toxic work environments can have a detrimental impact on individuals and the overall success of the organisation.
• Creating a culture of excellence requires a focus on both internal and external service. Transitioning from a 'me' to a 'we' mindset in leadership is challenging but essential for building genuine connections with team members.
• Leaders should lead by example and avoid negative conversations about team members in their absence.
• The 10 principles of leadership outlined in 'Begin With We' include leading by example, taking action, owning mistakes, and embracing challenges.
• Relatability, authenticity, and vulnerability are key in building trust within teams.
• Leaders should focus on outcomes rather than activity and be open to challenging and being challenged by team members.
• Attention to detail is crucial for delivering exceptional experiences and establishing a strong brand.

Chapters

(02:58) The Power of Leadership Principles

(07:46) Collaboration in the C-suite

(13:20) Bridging the Disconnect Between Leaders and Teams

(21:33) Creating a Culture of Excellence

(25:36) The Challenge of Transitioning to a 'We' Mindset

(27:15) The Impact of Gossip and the Importance of Leading by Example

(31:33) Creating a Culture of Vulnerability and Support

(37:11) Focusing on Outcomes and Avoiding Busyness

(38:40) Challenging and Being Challenged for Growth

(39:37) The Power of Attention to Detail

Mentioned in this episode:

Get Mind Your F**king Business

Did you know that the 80:20 principle also works in reverse? Whilst 80% of your output will come from 20% of your people, the same is true of your problems. Meaning 80% of the errors will be caused by 20% of your people. 

But, says Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Organisational Psychologist, currently Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, companies spend way more time on development than they do on talent acquisition. 

So, what can you do about that? Well, don’t miss Tomas on this episode of The Melting Pot explaining how technology is revolutionising the recruitment role, why assessing candidates is a costly mistake, the difference between genders in terms of curiosity, why the world is so full of rubbish leaders, and how we can bring about change in leadership. 

This is a fascinating episode, truly insightful. Download to listen. 

Book recommendations

• Lisa Barrett Feldman - Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
• Carmine Gallo - The Bezos Blueprint 
• John Petrocelli - The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit
• Oxford Very Short Introductions
• Bill Perkins - Die With Zero

On today’s podcast:

• The problem with testing candidates 
• It’s hard to know if you hired the right person
• Why is the world full of rubbish male leaders?
• How to bring about change in leadership
• The definition of leadership competence

Links:

• Website: Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
• LinkedIn: Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
• Twitter: @drtcp
• Book: Why do so many incompetent men become leaders? Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

Are you looking for your next big adventure? How does rowing across the Atlantic sound? Think you’re not fit enough? Too old? Think again. 

Guy Rigby, chair of the Entrepreneurial Services Group at Smith & Williamson, and founder of advisory and mentoring business, The Entrepreneurs’ Adviser, holds the world record for the oldest, fastest man to row across the Atlantic (aged 68), and he’s looking for crews to do the same for 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.   

But before we get into that, in this episode of The Melting Pot, we find out why a man in his late 60s would want to row the Atlantic, and more importantly, how on earth did he pull it off? 

Want to learn more? Of course you do! Download and listen today.

On today’s podcast:

• UnLtd - the charity
• Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean
• The daily rowing routine 
• Training for the row
• The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge

Links:

• Website: Guy Rigby
• Books: From Vision to Exit
• LinkedIn: Guy Rigby
• Twitter:  @guyrigby
• Charity - UnLtd

How do you deal with uncertainty? Do you avoid it at all costs or do you embrace the unknown excitedly?

To discuss the upside of uncertainty is husband and wife team, Nathan and Susannah Furr, authors of The Upside of Uncertainty. 

As the Professor of Strategy and Innovation at INSEAD, and with a PhD from Stanford, Nathan is an expert in innovation and technology strategy. Susannah is an entrepreneur, designer, artist, and contrarian who’s recently started a bio-intensive garden as part of a ‘hope accelerator’ in Normandy, France. 

On this episode of The Melting Pot, Nathan and Susannah share their experiences of tackling uncertainty, and discuss how you can improve and train your risk tolerance and seek the upside of uncertainty. And in doing so, how we can then impact organisations. 

Download and listen to learn more. 

On today’s podcast:

• The portal to possibility 
• Uncertainty balances
• How do you teach uncertainty?
• Regret minimisation decision making
• Driving innovation inside businesses 

Links:

• Books: The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown
• Twitter:  @nathan_furr
• LinkedIn: Nathan Furr
• Website: The Upside of Uncertainty

Do you want to be a force for change in the world? Of course you do, but how to begin? That's actually the title of Michael Bungay Stanier’s latest book - How To Begin, a book written to help people be ambitious for themselves, for the world, to help them find their Worthy Goal, and start something thrilling, important, and daunting.

Best known for writing The Coaching Habit, a best selling coaching book that’s sold over 1.2 million copies world wide, Michael is back on The Melting Pot once more to talk about how you can figure out what that thing is you want to do, and then how you stop procrastinating so you can go and have an impact. 

Having handed over the reins of Box of Crayons, a learning and development company, Michael has had to find his own worthy goal, and in this episode he shares how he stepped away from Box of Crayons, how to find your purpose, and the key elements of what makes a worthy goal. 

To hear all this and more, download and listen today.

Book recommendations 

High Conflict - Amanda Ripley

Super-Infinite - Katherine Rundell

On today’s podcast:

• How to Begin
• Stepping away from Box of Crayons
• Finding your purpose
• The key elements of a worthy goal
• The Care Matrix

Links:

• Books - Top Books & Training for Coaches, Mentors, Leaders
• Twitter – mbs_works
• LinkedIn – Michael Bungay Stanier
• Website – Michael Bungay Stanier

How do you think about compensation in your organisation? In this episode of The Melting Pot, Verne Harnish, a world-leading expert, speaker, author, and entrepreneur in the field of business growth, shares his recent research into how different organisations tackle compensation.  

Having founded the Entrepreneurs' Organisation in 1987, Verne’s also the Founder and CEO of Scaling Up, as well as author of Scaling Up, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, and co-author of The Greatest Business Decisions of All Time, for which Jim Collins wrote the foreword. 

But it’s his latest book, Scaling Up Compensation, a short read at just over 100 pages, that Verne is discussing here. In this book, he explores over 100 case studies to help you move top and bottom lines by hundreds of percent, just by tweaking your existing comp plan. 

While the case studies aren’t there for you to copy, let them inspire and guide you in how you can take compensation and make it work for you, so you can attract and retain the best possible talent you can afford, so you can build the best team money can buy for your organisation. 

This is a fabulous conversation, download and listen now. 

On today’s podcast:

• Scaling up compensation
• How to afford the A-players
• Let compensation set you apart
• Sales commission - yes or no?
• Promotions and a pay rise

Links:

• Book - Scaling Up Compensation
• Twitter – thegrowthguy
• LinkedIn – Verne Harnish
• Website – scalingup.com

In this incredibly tight labour market where the power well and truly sits in the job seekers’ hands, how can you optimise your LinkedIn profile so that you make yourself (and your company) more attractive to A-players and job seekers? 

Don’t miss Donna Serdula, author of LinkedIn Profile Optimization for Dummies, and founder of LinkedIn specialist firm LinkedIn-Makeover, on this week’s episode of The Melting Pot. 

What should you do as a company? More specifically, what should you do as individual leaders and hiring managers to try and make it more likely that candidates, prospects, even partners, find you and connect with you on LinkedIn? 

Donna details how people should be thinking about this. She shares what you as an individual leader, a CEO, should be doing. How often should you post? Should you put hashtags on? If you do, which ones? Should you share content that's already on the LinkedIn platform? Or try to get people to connect to content off the platform?

To find out all this and more, download and listen to this episode today. 

On today’s podcast:

• How to show up to prospective candidates
• Selling the company culture in the description 
• The LinkedIn algorithm
• How often to post on LinkedIn
• The golden hour 
• All about hashtags

Links:

• Podcast: Dream Big with Big Dreamers
• Twitter: @donnaserdula
• Linkedin: Donna Serdula
• Website: LinkedIn-Makeover.com

If you’ve grown your organisation and you’re now at the point where you don’t quite remember everyone’s name, and the coffee cups aren’t being stacked in the dishwasher, perhaps it’s time to reassess your company culture. 

To share how they’ve transitioned their culture as the organisation has grown to just over 150 people in 6 years, is co-founder and CEO of Jahnel Group, Darrin Jahnel. 

In this episode, Darrin explains why they’ve moved away from an executive team to implementing an extended leadership team, why he’s maniacal about company culture, and why they believe they've cracked the code on hybrid working. He also talks about inclusion, how he’s got people to show up to work being their authentic selves, as well as a fantastic metric for how many culture drivers per employee you need in your business.

So, to learn more about how to transition your culture as you grow, download and listen today.

On today’s podcast:

• Great culture starts with having a great team
• How to create a buzz
• Cracking the remote culture code
• The benefits of a buffet culture 
• Overcoming scaling up hurdles

Links:

• Twitter: @djahnel
• LinkedIn: Darrin Jahnel
• Website: Jahnel Group