We explore the future of leadership, focusing on cognitive levels, emotional intelligence, and trust with Todd Hollow Bist. We discuss the importance of self-awareness, using presence to regulate emotions, and fostering breakthrough conversations in challenging environments.

We consider the role of psychological age in leadership, how dialectic thinking can drive innovation, and practical techniques for building trust and enhancing team dynamics.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "Our work begins with understanding, not judgment, seeking common ground through shared strengths." Zoë Routh

• "The brain wants to grow, but ambiguity and stress can push us down in cognitive levels." – Todd Hollow Bist

• "Presence is the muscle we use to stay at our best cognitive levels and resist being triggered into reactive behaviour." – Todd Hollow Bist

• "Leadership is about understanding people at a deeper level—not just what they say, but how they feel about it." – Todd Hollow Bist

Questions Asked

• How can leaders have breakthrough conversations in a polarised world?

• What are cognitive levels, and how do they shape leadership effectiveness?

• How does psychological age affect adult behaviour in leadership settings?

• What is dialectic thinking, and how can it lead to innovative conversations?

• What are practical ways to develop greater self-awareness as a leader?

Take Action

• Reflect on how ambiguity and stress influence your decision-making and emotional responses.

• Practise presence as a way to regulate emotions and maintain leadership effectiveness.

• Engage in dialectic thinking: next time you have a disagreement, focus on understanding the other person’s feelings, not just their argument.

• Observe how psychological age manifests in yourself and your team. Are you reacting from a mature, adult state or reverting to earlier behavioural patterns?

Tip of the Week

Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments

00:00 - Welcome back to the show
00:28 - Reflections on the current political climate
01:07 - Personal updates and Magic Mind
06:39 - Introducing Todd Hollow Bist
07:45 - Todd’s journey into leadership
11:07 - Understanding cognitive levels
24:16 - Practical applications of cognitive levels
31:11 - Navigating emotional responses in leadership
32:10 - The role of empathy in building trust
34:45 - Recognising and testing trust in relationships
39:20 - Developing self-awareness and cognitive levels
49:52 - Dialectic thinking for innovative conversations
53:03 - Rapid-fire questions and leadership insights
58:43 - Book recommendation: Strongmen by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
59:47 - Closing thoughts and encouragement

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