304: Laura Gassner Otting - How To Carve Your Own Path

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode #304: Laura Gassner Otting - How To Carve Your Own Path

Full show notes can be found at www.LearningLeader.com

The Learning Leader Show

"It starts young.  We have a world where we are given an identity. We need to think, 'is that really what I want?"

Show Notes:

• Sustaining excellence:
  • Live on the edge of your incompetence -- "The more you talk, the less you listen."  Need to be asking questions and listening.
  • Tenacity, grit
  • Put yourself in uncomfortable situations
• Be in a position to learn something new from your failures... "That is delightful."
• "Looking into someone and seeing their greatness."
• Running coach -- "Calm, confident, reflect back to the dream  Compete.
• Issues with execution... Why? "We get stuck chasing someone else's dream."
• How do we know? "It starts young.  We have a world where we are given an identity. We need to think, 'is that really what I want?"
• The four parts of consonace:
  • Calling -- It's bigger than you
  • Connection - The work actually matters
  • Contribution - It contributes to the life you actually want
  • Control - How much do I have?
• "My mother told me I needed to be a lawyer." -- "I wanted to run for office."
• How did Laura end up in the Clinton Whitehouse?
• "I learned how to show up for others... And be dedicated to excellence"
• "I was a great leader, but a terrible manager."  You need to be self-aware
• Advice to new managers:
  • "People want feedback.  Ask them if that project reflected their understanding of the assignment or their ability?"
• Laura's TEDx Talk:
  • Stop asking, 'how can I help?'
  • Think, 'what needs to happen?'
• Her fight with Ann Coulter
• Must be willing to change your mind as a leader -- "Our stories are our connections."
• Becoming an athlete -- Laura ran the first mile of her life nine years ago.  Now, she's a competitive rower.  And she ran in the Boston marathon.
• Confidence is built through doing.  Continue to push the boundaries of our own competence.
• Tel Aviv:
  • Hunger
  • Weight
  • Tenacity
  • Speed
  • Grit/Heart
• Don't get in the comparison trap with other people's highlight reels on social media
• Advice she received that's been helpful -- "You're just not that important"
• Study -- Team of Rivals -- About Lincoln
• Use the "Get To Know You Document"
• Why joining The Learning Leader Circle is a good idea