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Welcome to our penultimate episode of "The Word is Leadership." As we approach the end of our first season, I am filled with gratitude for your continued support. Producing this podcast has been more work than I anticipated, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. This week’s random word ‘fulminate,’ (to make criticisms or explode with violence) which provides an interesting lens for examining leadership. It raises a number of questions. Why do some leaders fulminate? Does it achieve anything, and is it ever acceptable? To answer these, I consider scenarios to see appropriate either or both elements of our definition - the message (criticism or denunciation) and the delivery (explosive and noisy) – are to support your desired impact. I point out how the effectiveness of fulminating will depend on both the cultural context as well as the leader’s versatility in using numerous styles. I conclude that different situations call for different tones and styles. Fulminating can establish standards, but it should be used sparingly and complemented with other forms of communication. As we close this episode, consider this: In avoiding strong emotions, are you at risk of becoming too monotone? Balancing emotion and message is the key to effective leadership communication.

Welcome to Episode 48 of "The Word is Leadership." As we near the end of our season, I want to thank you for your continued support. Whether you're a regular listener or new to our podcast, your engagement means the world to me. This week’s random word is ‘ironman’ and this gives us a perfect metaphor for leadership. Both an ironman competition and leadership require versatility, endurance, and discipline. In this episode we discuss the need for Leaders must have a comprehensive view of their organization and understand various functions beyond their primary expertise. We look at the importance of self-care. Leaders must take care of their mental and physical health to maintain their stamina. Just as athletes train, leaders must also prepare and maintain their resilience to lead effectively. We tackle the need for leaders to find outlets for their drive to achieve. Engaging in individual sports like running or cycling can help leaders satisfy their personal achievement needs without interfering with their team’s development. The lessons from the ironman metaphor are clear: leadership requires versatility, proper training, self-care, and finding a balance between personal achievement and team success. As we conclude this episode, consider this question: Have you thought about what setting yourself a leadership target could look like?

Welcome to episode 47 of The Word is Leadership. this week, our random word is one I had never come across before: ‘succinic’, an adjective related to amber, specifically referring to compounds derived from succinic acid. While initially baffling, this discovery provides a unique lens to examine leadership communication. I explore how leaders can effectively communicate complex ideas that might initially seem as obscure as the term "succinic" to their teams. Understanding and communication are fundamentally about making connections. Leaders often operate with a wealth of specialised knowledge, much like a chemist understands "succinic" in relation to amber. However, the challenge is ensuring this knowledge is accessible and relatable to others who do not share the same background or perspective. To bridge this gap, I propose a three-step approach: Assessment: Consider your message from the standpoint of someone with different experiences. Would it make sense to them without your level of expertise? Association: Use analogies and references that are familiar to your audience to create a connection between known concepts and new ideas. Deduction: Explicitly unpack your reasoning. Don't skip from A to Z without explaining the intermediate steps, ensuring clarity and avoiding assumptions. This approach not only facilitates better understanding but also enhances engagement by making complex ideas more accessible. As we wrap up, I encourage you to think about your own "succinic dialogues." Are you ensuring your communication is clear and relatable, or could it be seen as obscure? Reflecting on this can significantly enhance how you lead and connect with your team.

Welcome to Episode 46 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, where I explore insights from our weekly random word: ‘flock’. This term not only refers to a group of animals like sheep or birds but also metaphorically to a congregation of people, providing a powerful lens for examining leadership dynamics. The concept of a flock underscores the importance of unity and shared direction in leadership. It's about transforming a collection of followers into a cohesive group with a common purpose. I use this to explain how effective leadership is about cultivating a strong culture within an organisation. This culture, defined as "how we do things around here," acts as the glue that binds the team, fostering a sense of community and shared values. This episode challenges traditional views on leadership progression, focusing on the essential questions of 'what' rather than just ‘why’ and 'how.' Effective leadership isn't just about gathering followers but about creating a flock that moves together towards a vision. Drawing parallels with self-organising systems like bird flocks, we discuss how leaders can influence their teams not by overt commands but by embodying the group’s values and setting a clear, compelling vision. Join us as we reflect on whether you are merely leading a group of individuals or truly guiding a flock and consider how you might enhance the culture and cohesion of your team for collective success.

In this 45th episode, faced with the random word ‘oboe’ I look at leadership challenges through the metaphor of musical instruments as I introduce the "Oboe/Recorder Rule of Development," a concept that illustrates the complexity of learning and leading effectively: Understanding the Instruments: Discover how the oboe, with its complex and demanding nature, contrasts sharply with the more straightforward recorder. This comparison sheds light on the varying levels of difficulty and mastery in leadership tasks. Quick Wins vs. Long-Term Mastery: Reflect on how some challenges in leadership (recorder problems) can give a false sense of accomplishment due to their simplicity and immediate feedback, while others (oboe problems) require persistence and depth to truly master, often giving a false sense of failure at initial attempts. Leadership and Learning: I discuss how leadership is akin to mastering a language or an instrument (initially accessible but intricate and nuanced upon deeper engagement). Just like mastering English or German, leadership involves navigating apparent simplicity and underlying complexity. The episode draws from personal anecdotes and experiences with language learning with a nod to my wife's childhood oboe lessons, to emphasise the importance of recognising the nature of the challenges we face as leaders. Tune in to uncover whether the challenges you're facing are more like the oboe or the recorder! 

In today’s episode of "The Word is Leadership," we discuss the Essence of Community and Creativity in Leadership thanks to our random word 'acetum' (better known as vinegar). This episode promises to distil (see what I did there!) unique insights from the common and versatile substance, exploring themes of adaptability, solution-finding, and the invaluable role of community and creativity. I delve in the parallels between vinegar's transformative process and effective leadership: Versatility and Adaptability: Just as vinegar serves various purposes from cleaning to cooking, effective leaders must adapt to diverse situations, turning challenges into opportunities. Acidity and Clarity: Explore how the acidic nature of vinegar can symbolise the leader’s role in stripping back layers to reveal the core issues, clarifying complex situations to find solutions. Community and Creativity: Inspired by a my grandmother (Mémé Carmen), and her vinegar-making, we uncover how leadership thrives on community support and creative resourcefulness. This episode also marks a first for our podcast as it begins without a predetermined path, reflecting the real journey of leadership, which often involves stepping into the unknown and relying on the collective strength and creativity of the community. Join me as I explore how these elements can enhance your leadership approach, ensuring that just like vinegar, you can enrich and preserve the values of your team or organisation. Tune in for an episode that blends personal anecdotes with leadership strategies, proving that sometimes, the best insights are like vinegar: simple, yet profoundly transformative.

In this week’s 43rd episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’, we dive into the world of leadership communication courtesy of our random word ‘glib’. Often described as fluently easy, yet potentially insincere or deceptive, this small but powerful word opens a fascinating question about where the fine line is between being convincingly articulate and deceptively smooth. Join me as we explore the dual nature of ‘glib’ through a mnemonic that offers a fresh perspective on effective communication. Discover how to harness the positive aspects of being glib without falling into the traps of insincerity. We'll dissect: • G for Gibberish: Learn the importance of acknowledging when our knowledge is limited, and how this honesty can enhance credibility. • L for Listen: Delve into the art of listening—not just to respond, but to understand and be genuinely influenced by the dialogue. • I for Invite: See how inviting others into your thought process can demystify your intentions and strengthen trust. • B for Beat: Master the tempo of your speech to ensure clarity and foster genuine connections. Whether you're a seasoned leader or a newcomer eager to refine your communication skills, this episode provides valuable insights into how to express your visions persuasively and authentically. Tune in to navigate the complexities of leadership talk and leave equipped to engage and inspire with sincerity. Don't miss this blend of theory, practical advice, and engaging storytelling!

This week we dive into the rich and unpredictable realms of leadership through the random word: "pheasant." I focus on the vibrant imagery of the pheasant, known for its brightly coloured plumage and presence in both art and nature, to steer the discussion tying the pheasant's characteristics to essential leadership qualities, focusing on visibility, attraction, and distinction. I emphasise the importance of standing out in a competitive environment, much like the male pheasant does with its striking feathers to attract mates despite the risks. I invite and help you to ponder your own 'pheasant' (their unique traits) and how it can be leveraged rather than hidden by challenging conventional norms and encourage you to not only find their distinctive voice but to use it boldly to shape your path and attract the right kind of attention. This episode of "The Word is Leadership" is not just a discussion; it's an invitation to reflect, stand out, and lead with authenticity. If you are eager to rethink leadership and personal branding in a way that’s as colourful and impactful as the pheasant itself join the journey at thewordisleadership.com or your preferred podcast platform and ask yourself: "Have you ever forgotten your pheasant?"

Episode 41 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ and our random this week is ‘kachumber’, the delightful Indian salad of chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, chilli and coriander that serves as the perfect metaphor to build the three rules of collaboration. The first, the salad rule, reminds us that just like not all salads are kachumber, not all collaborative efforts are the same. It's essential to assess whether collaboration is indeed the right approach for your situation. A simple green salad might be all you need. The next rule, the ingredients rule acts as the cornerstone of effective collaboration. Just as a kachumber requires the right mix of onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers, collaboration thrives on a diverse blend of skills, experiences, and personalities. Our final rule is the mixing rule. Just as a skilled chef knows how to balance flavours and textures in a kachumber, a leader must understand how to navigate the dynamics of collaboration. Until next time, keep mixing, and as always, thank you for tuning in to ‘The Word is Leadership.’ I am grateful for your presence.

Welcome back to "The Word is Leadership," Episode 40! Today, we delve into the multifaceted concept of "discord" and its implications for effective leadership. Drawing parallels between discord in social dynamics and musical dissonance, I suggest that planned discord can awaken us from complacency and generate valuable insights. I reflect on Solomon Asch's conformity experiments, to acknowledge the tendency to prioritise harmony over dissent in group settings and look at how to cultivate constructive discord. I argue that, to succeed, we must prioritise psychological safety over positional safety, encourage profusion over profession, and address points rather than personalities during moments of discord. As we contemplate the question, ‘Do you see discord as division or as a process of unification?’ let's recognise the potential of discord to unite us in pursuit of shared goals.

Welcome to Episode 39 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ in which we explore the unexpected leadership insights behind the word ‘rosé’. In the world of wine, rosé often occupies a middle ground, neither white nor red, and is frequently perceived as less sophisticated. Leadership, too, faces the dilemma of choosing between opposites. Yet, there's more to rosé than meets the eye. It reflects the challenge of navigating complexity and ambiguity, much like the transition from black and white to grey in leadership. Traditionally, mixing red and white wines to create rosé is viewed as subpar, except in the case of Champagne, where it's celebrated as a mark of quality. The difference lies in methodology and culture. Rosé is a reminder that blending two things should result in something rooted in purpose and excellence. Leadership isn't about choosing between extremes but finding harmony in diversity. Like viticulture and viniculture shape wine, understanding the "what, where, and how" of your business (nature) and the "who and how" of your operations (culture) define effective leadership. So, let's strive to be more like champagne and craft our unique blend rooted in purpose, adaptable in approach, and unafraid to embrace the richness of our diverse experiences. Cheers to that!

For episode 38 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ I dive into the concept of ‘continuum’ and its implications for leaders. Defined as a continuous series with no perceptible differences between adjacent parts, "continuum" prompts me to think about the notion of compromise and linear progression. A continuum is a reminder that every action, no matter how small, contributes to our journey towards our goal. each incremental step, even if seemingly insignificant, shapes our path forward. Our goal as leaders isn't just to plan a route from A to B but to navigate the continuum consciously. We avoid straying too far from our intended path by understanding incremental changes and their cumulative impact. By constantly positioning ourselves on the continuum from where we are to where we hope to be we can be both deliberate and intentional in our pursuit of our goal whilst remaining flexible in adapting and responding to events.

In this, our 37th episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’, I tackle our random word ‘hock’ to uncover insights into leadership development and personal growth. Defined as the joint in a horse's leg, "hock" prompts images of forward and backward motion, connections, and adaptation which lead me to use the letter of a word itself to delve into development and change. I use the letters of the word HOCK as the foundations of our inquiry into continuous leadership development and personal evolution. I argue that we start by "Having" a clear vision of our goals and aspirations along with a clear assessment of our current situation. Next, we must decide if we will achieve our goals by acquiring new skills, knowledge, or resources ("Obtain"), make sure we play to our strengths (“Keep”) or adjust our existing situation to our desired state ("Change”). Through this cyclical learning loop, we harness the power of connections and forward-backward motion inherent in the definition of "hock." As we ponder our own leadership journey, it is always worth considering if we have a strong "hock" to propel us forward.

In Episode 36 of "The Word is Leadership", helped by our random word ‘enamel’, I ponder the question ‘do I possess the qualities necessary to be attractive without compromising my identity?’ which prompts reflections on the intricate artistry of leadership. We explore the profound parallels between enamel's protective surface and the essence of effective leadership. Just as enamel shields what lies beneath, leaders must strike a delicate balance between authenticity and the need to appeal to others. I introduce the two crucial principles of leadership attraction: understanding your tribe and donning your game face. I discuss how attraction alone isn't sufficient – leadership demands resilience and strength - like enamel, leaders must remain steadfast and unwavering in their beliefs. I explain why consistency and conviction are paramount for fostering trust and respect among followers. Join me on what I hope is a thought-provoking foray into resilience and leadership.

In episode 35 of "The Word is Leadership," we reflect on the word "protract" and its implications for decision-making processes in leadership. I focus on the concept of “decision making protraction” - the idea that extending time in decision-making can add value. I highlight the difference between delaying, procrastinating, and protracting. Borrowing from the theory of system 1 and system 2 thinking, I emphasize the need for deeper, more deliberate decision-making processes, particularly in situations of dilemmas where opposing values are at play. I argue that protracted decision-making involves extending the breadth of thinking to explore innovative solutions. By asking deeper questions focused on outcomes rather than processes, leaders can reconcile opposing viewpoints and avoid suboptimal compromises. Ultimately, I prompt leaders to consider whether they have efficient system 1 decision-making processes while maximising the benefits of protracted system 2 decisions.

As we bid farewell to August and summer holidays, we're diving deep into the essence of leadership with this week's random word: "Ever." In episode 34, we explore what it means to lead at all times, in any context, and in your own unique way. Join us as we break down the definition of "ever" and uncover four enduring truths of leadership: 1. Lead Anytime: Discover how leadership is an equal opportunity endeavour—you can step up at any moment, regardless of your position or experience. 2. Lead Anywhere: Understand why true leadership transcends context, thriving in both good times and bad, in any setting. 3. Lead Always: Learn about the continuous nature of leadership and the importance of consistency and visibility in your actions. 4. Lead Your Way: Embrace the power of authentic leadership and the importance of finding your own style rather than imitating others. Listen now to discover how the word ‘ever’ reveals the foundational elements of resilient and impactful leadership. Don't forget to rate, share, and comment on our show!

In episode 33 of The Word is Leadership, we are discussing the word "soup" which brings me back special memories from my grandfather. Reflecting on different types of soups we discuss the important topic of creating clarity and in particular, the common misconception of clarity in leadership which is similar to trying to turn soup into broth. I present the three levels of clarity leaders should provide: Crux, Contribution, and Context, enabling employees to understand the mechanics of their roles, how they link to the organisation’s objectives in the context it operates under. Continuing our parallels with cooking, I encourage leaders to focus on "liaising a sauce," by linking the complexities of the context to organisational goals, rather than trying to eliminate ambiguity entirely. We end this week, as usual, with a question to reflect on: When it comes to creating clarity, are you trying to turn soup into broth or liaise a sauce?

In episode 32 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is experience. I use it to explore the conundrum of needing experience to gain experience. We discuss tenure versus knowledge and the importance of active learning outside traditional roles seeking alternative opportunities to gain relevant experience. I look at how individuals can mitigate their lack of direct experience by demonstrating their accumulated characteristics and past actions and advise aspiring leaders to act, speak, and model leadership behaviours, leveraging their existing knowledge and skills to showcase their suitability for desired roles. Ultimately, I aim to challenge the notion that experience is a fixed attribute, emphasizing the value of continuous learning and adaptability.

In the 31st episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ I recall my nephew Evan's advice on avoiding analogies that might use future words as I use our random word ‘cutaneous’ to explore the concept of authenticity I argue that while authenticity pertains to surface-level consistency, it is integrity with its alignment between thoughts, words, and deeds that followers want. I emphasise that, like healthy skin, leadership requires permeability, allowing others to understand their motives while continually improving themselves. Being oneself is important, but it should involve conscious effort and skilful adaptation, not mere complacency. Ultimately, my aim is to challenge the notion that leadership is superficial, urging leaders to consider whether their "skin" serves as a connector or a disguise.

For Episode 30 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is the verb to prevail. I continue to reflect on what it means for a leader to have power and break down the definition of prevail into four imperatives of leadership power. First, I discuss ‘the mastery imperative’, emphasising the importance of gaining mastery in one's field to stand out as a leader. I, then, explore ‘the safety imperative’, highlighting the need for leaders to be the prevalent feature that provides safety and stability for their teams. Next, I introduce ‘the community imperative’, stressing the importance of building a strong community of followers as a leader. Lastly, I outline ’the possibility imperative’, which involves persuading and inspiring others to believe in the limitless possibilities ahead. I conclude with a, hopefully thought-provoking, question of the week asking you: "Are you prepared to prevail over yourself in order to lead others?"

In episode 29 of ‘The Word is Leadership,’ we tackle the word mercury. Inspired by Gordon Mackenzie’s delightful book ‘Orbiting the Giant Hairball’ I look at what it takes to navigate the complexities of organizations without getting stuck in them, along with the importance of maintaining the right distance to make an impact. I propose three key steps for anyone aspiring to leadership, or wanting to affect change: being good at their role, gaining perspective to avoid fixedness, and cultivating gravitas to engage senior leaders effectively. As usual, I conclude with a question to encourage listeners to reflect on whether they possess the expertise, perspective, and gravitas necessary for success in their orbit.

In this new episode of "The Word is Leadership," I have to find insights using the random word ‘logos’ (defined as the rational principle expressed in words and things). I discuss the significance of rhetoric in leadership, emphasizing Aristotle's three elements: logos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (credibility) and look at how leaders can create followership as well as give examples of how they craft (last week’s word!) resonance using each of them. I conclude by highlighting the importance of coherence, credibility, and emotional appeal in effective leadership communication, urging listeners to consider these factors in their own messages.

In Episode 27 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, I use our random word ‘craft’ to try to finally put to the bed the needless management versus leadership conversation. Putting aside my dislike for quotes and memes, while reiterating my caution against blindly accepting and sharing them without verification, I mention Steve Jobs’ ideas about innovation and the iterative process of turning ideas into products, emphasizing the importance of craft in this journey. Taking craft as the convergence of science and art, combining precision with imagination and experience with experimentation, I argue that it represents the blending of what is often perceived as "hard" and "soft" elements in leadership and management. I challenge the distinction between leadership and management, describing it as a flawed and oversimplified caricature of reality, I argue for the need to see management and leadership as one for organizational success. As always please I welcome your comments at thewordisleadership.com along with your ratings, subscriptions, likes and shares!

For episode 26 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is survey. Emmanuel highlights the significance and prevalence of surveys in organizational processes and offers the concept of working IN/ON/ OUT of the business as a way to understand whether we are surveying the right things that add the right value. Akin to surveying a body, he explains that working "IN" involves performing tasks that bring immediate value, contrasting this with the survey of a house which entails working "ON" to build capabilities and processes for future value. Finally, he shows how to survey the landscape leaders need to work "OUT" by observing external factors to anticipate opportunities and disruptions. Emmanuel emphasizes underscores the increasing significance of working "ON" and "OUT" as individuals progress, challenging listeners to reflect on whether they are effectively surveying the body, the house, and the landscape. ‘The Word is Leadership’ Ebook was launched this week. Containing the first 25 lessons from this first podcast series you can find it online by logging into your local amazon store.

In episode 25 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ the random word ‘amiss’ helps us tackle a fundamental area of leadership - vision. While there is an abundance of literature on the importance of having a vision and how to communicate it, there is a real scarcity of resources on how to formulate it. In the context of leadership, a vision is essentially about hope, defined as goal + will + way. To find a vision, I encourage leaders to reflect on what is amiss (i.e. aspects of the current situation that are incorrect, inappropriate, or defective), concluding, as usual with a question to prompt listeners to consider potential areas for improvement and envision a future state that addresses current deficiencies.

This week, for episode 24 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is ‘palm’. We focus on the symbolism of the palm tree, drawing parallels between its resilience and ability to thrive in adverse conditions to the potential for leadership growth in any context. Building on previous episodes, I emphasise the importance of a strong core (trunk) in leadership, supported by flexible roots and flourishing leaves. I underscore the necessity for leaders to develop their core values and adaptability while maintaining a clear vision of their impact. I outline the steps necessary to build a strong root and trunk system. As usual, I conclude the episode with a question to prompt listeners to reflect on their leadership approach and consider the strength and flexibility of their core values: ‘Are you a palm tree or a broom handle with dead leaves on top?’.

In this 23rd episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is ‘grain’. Associating the notion of seed with change and the notion of the grain of the wood with resistance (as in going against the grin) Emmanuel focuses on unveiling why people resist change and what leaders can do about it. Introducing the notion that not all change is resisted, using the mnemonic HURT, we discussed the elements that make some changes painful (Hurried, Unnecessary, Relentless, and Top-down). Emmanuel emphasises the importance of understanding the existing structure and social networks within organisations to transform potential irritating grains of change into pearls of progress. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking question prompting leaders to reconsider their approach to change and embrace strategies that align with the existing organisational fabric. ‘Have you thought about going with the grain rather than against it to turn your grain of sand from an irritant to a pearl?’

In this episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word of the week is dumb (lacking the power of human speech). Delving into its leadership implications of the word, Emmanuel introduces the concept of leaders having the power to facilitate or impede speech. He identifies three crucial areas of impact: giving people a voice, a platform, and a mic. Giving a voice highlights the importance of leaders helping individuals find their unique contributions by providing content, context, and confidence. Giving a platform is about creating conditions where people feel safe and appreciated so they feel able to express their views is crucial. Giving a mic is about leaders ensuring that individuals' messages are not only heard by them but also reach the right audience. Emmanuel concludes, someone colloquially, by challenging leaders to consider how ‘dumb’ they might be if they fail to give their team the power to speak.

In this episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’, Emmanuel has to draw a leadership lesson from the random word: nectar. Highlighting the association between the word nectar and value, level he poses the question, ‘How do we find our nectar?’ emphasising the uniqueness that attracts others. He looks at how listeners can uncover the core value (CV) that lies in their or their organization's unique story, choices, successes, and struggles. Emmanuel emphasises that whatever your core competence is, it only becomes nectar if it creates value for others, attracting followers or customers just like nectar attracts bees. He therefore warns against becoming caricatures of oneself by overly focusing on core competencies rather than combining these with what customers are looking for, ensuring this uniqueness translates into valuable nectar. To prompt listeners to reflect on their unique value propositions the episode concludes with the question, ‘Do you understand what attracts bees to your nectar?’

Another milestone as we reach episode 20 of ‘The Word is Leadership’. Our random word this week from which Emmanuel Gobillot derives leadership lessons is "eagle." Emmanuel delves into the symbolism of the eagle in various cultures and summarises the appeal of eagle as a symbol of leadership with the words power (strength and reassurance), vision (seeing the bigger picture and planning for the future), and grace (creating a climate of effectiveness in the organisation). However, Emmanuel challenges the notion that they, alone, are sufficient for leadership success by introducing the perspective of the pigeon. He suggests that the eagle's attributes are essential, leaders must also embody the pack mentality, street-fighting spirit, and agility of pigeons. He encourages leaders to reflect on the balance between soaring like an eagle and sweating like a pigeon, leaving the audience with the question, ‘Have you thought about your pigeon as you soar like an eagle?’.

In Episode 19 of "The Word is Leadership," Emmanuel unveils the randomly selected word for the week: presume. He draws a distinction between assuming and presuming, emphasising that presumption involves more confidence and evidence. Illustrating with a story from his latest book ‘This is Not a Leadership Book’ he recounts a scenario where a high-performance leadership team faced a divergence of opinions regarding the future percentage of advertising going online based on different assumptions, Emmanuel shows how we need to understand the continuum assuming-presuming-knowing, stressing the challenges of questioning presumptions compared to assumptions and the need for leaders to differentiate between the two. He highlights the risks of using presume and assume interchangeably, emphasising the importance of clarifying what one thinks they know (presume) and what they do not know (assume). The episode concludes with the question, ‘How often do you know whether you presume or assume before you resume?’

Episode 18 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ sees Emmanuel once again open his new dictionary (but this time accompanied by a new jingle) to select the random word dismast. Despite his acknowledged limited knowledge of sailing, he draws parallels between avoiding dismasting in sailing and crisis management in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of meticulous planning, team coordination, and preparation to prevent crises. However, given that, regardless of preparation, unexpected events will happen leaders need to recognise when to call for help and ask for assistance. Emmanuel highlights the difference between mistakes and failures as a way to gauge how to prepare effectively and respond appropriately.

In Episode 17 of "The Word is Leadership," we look at what the random word "prelogical" can teach us about leadership. Using personal anecdotes from France and Sweden backed by psychological research into why we do what we from the US, I delve into the intricate relationship between logic and emotions. We discuss the human tendency to simplify complex concepts by dividing logic and emotions and show how successful leadership is about understanding how both drive decision making. To succeed in building trust and followership leaders need to understand emotional biases and how to generate prelogical responses. I conclude by emphasising the crucial role of emotional needs, safety, and hope in leadership, prompting leaders to reflect on the need and the importance to be prelogical in thinking about why anyone would want to follow them.

For this Episode 16 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, we keep our format but change our dictionary! However, the hope that this would lead to selecting new words was short lived as our random word is mace. Contrasting the spiked club and the ceremonial staff of office, we explore the various forms of assertive power in leadership. By distinguishing between power that makes others feel smaller (spiky club) and power that uplifts and supports (staff of office), we look at the significance of understanding power as the ability to impact and influence and highlight the transformative potential of the socialised form of assertive power. In this episode I encourage leaders to contemplate whether their leadership style wields a spiky club or carries a ceremonial mace, in order to create the gravitational tug we discussed in previous episodes.

In this 15th episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ the random word of the week is broil. Emmanuel uses the definition of broil, to make a link between the uncontrolled/controlled use of fire and the responses leaders have to unexpected events and crises. He emphasises the need for leaders to master the skill of broiling (the dynamics of controlling and directing high heat) instead of engaging in aimless firefighting. Exploring the concept of broiling further he offers the equation E + r or R = O (where E represents the event, r stands for react, R denotes respond, and O signifies the outcome) as a way for leaders to navigate the challenges they face. The distinction between reactive reflexes and thoughtful responses is underscored, emphasizing the need for leaders to build processes and networks that will help them transition from aimless firefighting to controlled broiling.

In Episode 14 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ our random word is ‘parish’ prompting Emmanuel to highlight the dichotomy between the organisation (a formal structure such as a parish council) and the company (a social structure such as a religious parish), reminiscent of last week’s distinction between employees and companions. The episode delves into the organisational challenges faced by leaders, emphasising the need for both the structure (organisation) and the social fabric (company). The term "parish" serves as a metaphor, encapsulating the duality of a district and a community, mirroring the dual nature of businesses requiring both organisational efficiency and social energy. Despite the inherent tensions between the two components, as leaders, it is our role to reconcile both as they are needed for success. Emmanuel shows how to bridge this gap and create a thriving "parish," using three key levers leaving the audience with a thought-provoking perspective on organisational dynamics.

In Episode 13 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, our random word of the week is ‘companion’, defined as one who accompanies another. Recounting the story of Jacques and the medieval "compagnonnage" guild, Emmanuel uses this movement, with its rites of passage and communal journeys, as a metaphor for the intertwined nature of organisational accountabilities and individual social identities. The episode delves into the dichotomy between employees and companions, stressing the crucial link between engaged and committed individuals and the harmonious integration of organisational expectations and social roles.   It encourages leaders to use clarity, standards, and commitment to guide individuals in understanding the broader goal, provide them with a compass for actions and nurture their strengths and capabilities. This episode intertwines historical narrative, leadership philosophy, and actionable insights, encouraging leaders to reflect on their approach to those they lead.

Welcome to Episode 12 of "The Word is Leadership." Where this week’s random word is ‘pride’. Instead of simply focusing on pride as an emotion, Emmanuel explores the word itself to demonstrate how, given the words we chose impact our emotions, whether you see pride as an underused or overused word, the truth is that it is, too often, simply the wrong word to use. After exploring both the positive and negative aspects of pride such as providing a sense of self-worth or diminishing self-awareness) Emmanuel shows us how we can create better outcomes by altering the words we use. The proposition is that by substituting "pleasure," "gratefulness," or "humility" for "pride," we can achieve the perceive benefits of pride without the risks associated with it. This shift in language allows leaders to acknowledge achievements without negative consequences.

This week, for episode 11 of ‘The Word is Leadership’, the random word is ‘GRAFT’ (inserting a shoot or scion into another stock to receive sap). Emmanuel draws parallels between biological grafting and organizational grafting, emphasizing the challenge of integrating new elements without rejection. To address this Emmanuel introduces the ABC of grafting: Analyse, Be clear, and Clean-up. Analysing involves understanding both what the gaps in capability are in the existing organisation as well as why they exist. Being clear emphasises transparent communication with both the new hire (shoot) and the existing team (stock) about the purpose of the graft. Finally, the clean-up stage underscores the importance of ensuring organisational processes are ready to accept the graft. Grafting is both a science and an art in leadership. The question for the week is whether organisations, instead of removing the shoot (new hire), have considered the health and compatibility of the stock (existing team).

For this 10th episode of "The Word is Leadership." Our random word is "MYXOMA," a term related to a rabbit virus. Using the example of rabbits in Australia, Emmanuel decides to focus on what he calls the action, reaction, adaptation cycle and its implications for leaders. He explains how the introduction of rabbits led to unforeseen consequences, triggering the need for actions and adaptations. The lesson for leaders is to recognize that any action produces a reaction, but over time, adaptation occurs. This cycle, known as the action, reaction, adaptation cycle, is crucial for anticipating and understanding changes in various contexts. Drawing a parallel with business, Emmanuel encourages leaders to think beyond the immediate action-reaction phase and consider the long-term adaptation. By doing this, they can differentiate themselves, anticipate changes, and avoid being trapped in a reactive trajectory.

Welcome to Episode 9 of "The Word is Leadership," this week, Emmanuel is faced with the word ‘archaic’ as his random word to improvise a leadership lesson with. Highlighting the negative connotation of the word archaic (i.e. seeing the past as outmoded and irrelevant) Emmanuel discusses the need for leaders to be objective about their relationship with time and illustrates this with two stories. The first revolves around Gustave Eiffel and his iconic tower, and the second involves the Louvres’ pyramid in Paris. He uses these to introduce three different ways to look at the past which he calls Museum (the past is to be protected), Tower (the past is irrelevant), and Pyramid (the past informs the future). Emmanuel concludes the episode by emphasising that leaders' preferences for these views inform their reflections and actions as well as how they perceive their role (custodian, revolutionary and steward).

In this 8th episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’, our host, Emmanuel Gobillot has to work with the random word ‘which’ to build a leadership lesson. He begins with Rudyard Kipling's ‘six honest serving men’ - what, why, when, where, who, and how in order to emphasize their importance in studying and reporting on situations, but also to show that for leaders, an additional W is crucial to making choices – that W is ‘which’. If leading is all about choosing, specifically choosing what is right over what is popular or expedient then “which” forces leaders to contend with the emotional involvement and commitment required to make the right choice. Whilst analysing a situation with Kiplings 5 Ws, provides objectivity and distance, the sixth W of which brings to the fore the need to understand the price to be paid for a chosen option and helps leaders assess their willingness to pay it.

Episode 7 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ focuses on the word liability. Whilst there is clearly an association between with finance, Emmanuel steers away from this conventional focus preferring instead to explore the mindset attached to the word liability and its implications for leadership. The central question posed is why does the word liability have a negative connotation when, in reality, it goes hand in hand with asset? The critical insight for leaders is how their attention shifts between liability and asset depending on circumstances. For leaders, success lies in the differentiation between the liability mindset (deficit-focused, centred on "should" and judgment) and the asset mindset (benefit-focused, oriented towards “is” and assessment). Given both mindsets are essential to determine true value Emmanuel argues that the key to success is to move from "should have" to "will do," from "should be" to "will be," thereby transforming individuals from victims to actors.

In this sixth episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ we once again find ourselves with a word starting with the letter C as our random word this week is crayon. Emmanuel explores the concept of drawing with crayons as a metaphor for expressing one's true colours and personality in leadership and focuses on how we can draw our personal leadership brand with a crayon, showcasing authenticity and individuality. To structure the discussion, he uses the word ‘CRAYON’ as an acronym where each letter represents a key aspect of building a colourful leadership brand. He goes on to illustrate how, for a leadership brand to resonate, it needs Consistency, Reliability, Ability, You, Originality and Network. While the use of the random word as an acronym is somewhat unconventional given the rules of the podcast, this episode prompts reflection on the authenticity, originality, and individuality in one's approach to leadership.

Welcome to Episode 5 of ‘The Word is Leadership.’ Another week, another jingle, and another random word. This week, using the word ‘common’ we delve into a leadership challenge related to the definition provided in our previous episode. How can leaders ensure that autonomous employees choose the organization’s goal over their own? We contrast the default strategy of finding a compromise which leaves no one satisfied with the idea of finding common ground, which involves using individual goals to achieve organisational one’s and vice versa. Emmanuel provides a route map to success showing that the key to finding common ground is to seek the fulfilment of dreams rather than compromise to minimize nightmares. This week ‘The Word is Leadership’ continues to explore leadership dynamics, focusing on the concept of finding common ground to align individual and organizational goals effectively.

Welcome to Episode 4 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ where, once again, Emmanuel Gobillot picks a random word to improvise a leadership lesson. With a new jingle in place, the random word this week is tug. A word which finally presents an opportunity to define what leadership is. Using tug of war and tug boats to illustrate McGregor's Theory X and Y of management and motivation, Emmanuel challenges our assumption, by highlighting the power of employees. With his central argument that leadership is about creating the conditions for others to positively engage with a goal, he encourages leaders to shift from a focus on forceful tugging to the creation of a gravitational tug that motivates employees to exert their power willingly and positively. Once again, ‘The Word is Leadership’ continues its exploration of leadership dynamics, this time using the word tug as a springboard to examine the essence of human motivation.

In episode 3 of ‘The Word is Leadership’ Emmanuel Gobillot continues to build leadership lessons inspired by random words. The chosen word this week is squeak (and there's even a jingle to introduce it). This episode takes a personal turn as Emmanuel recalls a joke from his uncle Roger which becomes a metaphor to discuss the dangers of becoming over sensitized or desensitized to organisational squeaks. Having identified the three leadership challenges of squeaks (Inability to Distinguish between significant and inconsequential squeaks, neglect of the silences that accompany the positive aspects of the organization, and deafness to squeaks that leads them to become shrieks) Emmanuel provides three levers to leadership effectiveness. Using the word squeak as a launch pad to offer valuable insights, this week’s episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ explores the delicate balance of addressing concerns while maintaining a focus on organizational successes.

Welcome back to another episode of "The Word is Leadership." In this second instalment, global leadership speaker, author and consultant, Emmanuel Gobillot continues the unique approach of selecting a random word and deriving leadership lessons from it. This time, the chosen word is gentry. Drawing parallels between the social structure of royalty, court, and gentry and the organizational structure of executives, senior management, and middle managers, the episode highlights the critical role of the ‘gentry’ or middle managers in ensuring the success and well-functioning of an organization. Emmanuel encourages senior leaders to create an environment that makes it easy for the gentry to speak the truth, positioning middle managers as indispensable connectors between different levels within the organization. With episode 2, ‘The Word is Leadership’ continues to deliver insightful leadership lessons, using the random word gentry as a lens to explore the intricacies of organizational dynamics and the vital role of middle management.

Welcome to the first episode of ‘The Word is Leadership’ podcast, where each week, our host, global leadership speaker, author and consultant, Emmanuel Gobillot, embarks on a unique journey by selecting a random word to extract valuable leadership lessons from it. In this inaugural episode, our word is surprisingly simple yet profound – SOCK. We reflect on the unnoticed habits in our organizations, akin to the automatic act of putting on socks each day. Drawing parallels between organizational routines and the habitual nature of wearing socks, Emmanuel highlights the potential for embarrassment when we overlook ingrained practices. This episode delves into the importance of periodically questioning the necessity and efficiency of entrenched systems to identify and rectify suboptimal processes. In this entertaining and insightful journey through the seemingly mundane, ‘The Word is Leadership’ sets the stage for future episodes that promise to uncover leadership lessons from unexpected corners of the dictionary.