EIL31:How to Take Your Leadership to the Next Level with Stéphane Garelli

Good leadership requires effective communication.

However, this requires interpersonal skills, compassion, and good followership.

Let’s ask Stéphane Garelli, a professor of competitiveness and former managing director of the World Economic Forum.

Gain expert insights on the principles of competitiveness and effective leadership as Dr. Katrina Burrus and Stephane Garelli discuss in this episode.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode

• Learn the importance of effective leadership in creating followers and sharing a vision.
• Determine the distinction between being a chairman and a CEO or managing director and their respective responsibilities.
• Find out how leaders overcome and maintain a balanced perspective in their career and personal life.

“If you don’t know where you are going, don’t say so. If you are a leader, keep it for yourself. Pretend. Decide until you find out how.” – Stéphane Garelli

Topics Covered:

• 00:20 – Dr. Katrina Burrus asks Stéphane Garelli about his diverse experience in various roles including managing director of the World Economic Forum and chairman of a bank.
• 01:24 – Stéphane Garelli defines good leadership as the ability to create followers and emphasizes the importance of taking people with you and sharing your vision.
• 02:40 – He explains that being a chairman is like being a spare wheel in a car, only noticed when things go wrong, while a CEO or managing director is responsible for taking action and managing the company.
• 04:00 – Stéphane Garelli shares advice he received from French Prime Minister Raymond Barre and British Prime Minister Ted Heath on effective communication and speaking to people rather than giving speeches.
• 04:42 – Dr. Katrina Burrus asks Stephane about the challenges he faced on his career, Garelli highlights the importance of not getting too caught up in a job and always considering one’s personal agenda and the next step.
• 06:05 – Stéphane Garelli discusses his book “Are You a Tiger, a Cat, or a Dinosaur?” which explores how competitiveness impacts our lives and covers various topics including leadership, products, failures, and economics.
• 07:02 – Stéphane Garelli reveals that one of his habits for success is not reading about economics after 9 PM, instead, focusing on other subjects to stimulate lateral thinking and discover new ideas.

Connect with Stéphane Garelli

• https://garelli.ch/
• Book: “Are You a Tiger, a Cat or a Dinosaur?”

Connect with Katrina Burrus

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinaburrus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrina.burrus
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/katrinaburrus?lang=en

More Impactful Episodes at https://mkbconseil.ch/eil-podcast/

Top Leadership Problem Encountered in this Episode

In this episode, Stéphane Garelli addresses several pressing leadership problems that are prevalent in today’s business world.

Here are the top problems discussed:

1. Lack of Followership: One of the biggest challenges of leadership today is the ability to create followers. Many leaders find themselves alone, lacking the support and engagement of their team members. This hinders their ability to effectively lead and achieve their goals.
2. Different Definitions of Competitiveness: The lack of a unified definition of competitiveness among nations poses a significant leadership problem. Without a clear understanding of what makes a country competitive, leaders struggle to develop effective strategies and policies to drive economic growth.
3. The Role of a Chairman: Being a chairman is often seen as a secondary role, only receiving attention when things go wrong. This lack of recognition and support can make it challenging for chairmen to fulfill their responsibilities effectively and provide the necessary oversight.
4. Balancing Action and Control: The difference between a CEO or managing director and a chairman lies in their roles and responsibilities. While a CEO focuses on taking action and managing the company, a chairman is responsible for ensuring that everything is done correctly, ethically, and in accordance with the law. Striking the right balance between action and control can be a significant challenge for leaders in these positions.
5. Influence vs. Power: Many leaders possess power but lack influence. The ability to influence others is crucial for effective leadership. Without influence, leaders struggle to inspire and motivate their teams, leading to a lack of engagement and suboptimal performance.
6. Personal Agenda vs. Organizational Goals: Leaders often face the dilemma of balancing their personal agenda with the goals of the organization. While it is essential to have personal aspirations, leaders must also consider the next steps in their career and ensure alignment with the organization’s objectives. Neglecting personal agendas can hinder personal growth and limit the leader’s ability to make strategic decisions.
7. Curiosity and Lateral Thinking: A lack of curiosity and exposure to diverse ideas can hinder a leader’s ability to innovate and find new solutions. Leaders who solely focus on their own field of expertise may miss out on valuable insights from other disciplines. Embracing lateral thinking and seeking inspiration from various sources is crucial for effective leadership.

These leadership problems highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of leadership in today’s dynamic business environment. Addressing these challenges is essential for leaders to excel and drive their organizations towards success.

The Essence of Good Leadership: Insights from Stéphane Garelli

In a recent episode, renowned professor of competitiveness, Stéphane Garelli, shared his insights on good leadership and the difference between being a chairman and a CEO.

With a diverse background spanning academia, business, and government, Garelli’s extensive experience provides valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. In this blog post, we will delve into the key takeaways from the episode and explore the essence of good leadership.
Creating Followers: According to Garelli, a good leader is someone who can create followers. While energy and passion are often associated with leadership, Garelli emphasizes the importance of taking people along on the journey. Leaders should inspire others to share their vision and passion. Garelli highlights the challenge of leaders who find themselves alone, lacking the support and engagement of their team. The ability to rally people behind a common purpose is a crucial aspect of effective leadership.

The Role of a Chairman: Drawing from his experience as a chairman and managing director, Garelli sheds light on the difference between these roles. As a chairman, one is often overlooked when things are going well but becomes the focal point when challenges arise. While the CEO is responsible for taking action and managing the company, the chairman’s role is to ensure that everything is done ethically and in accordance with the law. In today’s transparent and rapidly changing business landscape, the chairman’s role is becoming increasingly important.

Influencers and Lessons Learned: Garelli reflects on the influential figures he encountered throughout his career. He mentions Raymond Barre, a former French Prime Minister, and Ted Heath, a British Prime Minister, as individuals from whom he learned valuable lessons. Garelli highlights the importance of effective communication and the ability to connect with people on a personal level. By speaking to people rather than delivering speeches, leaders can establish a special relationship that fosters trust and understanding.

Overcoming Challenges and Personal Agenda: Garelli shares a valuable lesson he learned from his own experiences. While commitment and loyalty to one’s job are important, he advises not to forget about personal goals and aspirations. Sometimes, individuals become so engrossed in their current roles that they neglect to consider their next steps. Garelli encourages leaders to always think about their personal agenda and have the courage to make necessary changes, even if it means stepping down from a comfortable position. A leader should always have a sense of direction and be mindful of their next move.

Conclusion:
Stéphane Garelli’s insights on good leadership provide valuable guidance for aspiring leaders. By creating followers, being mindful of the role of a chairman, and learning from influential figures, leaders can navigate the challenges of leadership more effectively. Additionally, Garelli’s emphasis on personal agenda and continuous learning highlights the importance of self-reflection and adaptability in leadership. As we strive to excel in our leadership journeys, let us remember the essence of good leadership: inspiring others, fostering trust, and always having a sense of direction.