Leaders live by their core values and model the behavior they seek with COL. Katherine Graef
COL. Katherine Graef\u202fis the current \u202fLogistics Director of Special Operations Command Africa.\u202fGraef \u202fhas also served as\u202fthe Director of Logistics in\u202f Qatar,\u202fshe commanded the\u202f\xa0Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and \u202ftaught as a \u202fMilitary Professor at \u202fthe \u202fNava l\u202fWar College in Newport, RI. \u202fIn this episode, Graef discusses how\u202fleading\u202fa group of high performers can \u202fsometimes \u202fbe more challenging than leading \u202fa group of mixed\u202fability level. \u202fGraef also presents how authenticity \u202fbecame an explicit value for overcoming \u202fher own adversity and through her experiences of \u202fworking with other leaders that lacked integrity and consistency. \u202fShe even admits how there were even parts of her career where she felt like a hypocrite. Listen to this Coaching Through Stories episode and learn how \u202fGraef found her way to \u202fauthenticity \u202fand how you can discover your own authentic path \u202fand be your true self in the workplace.\u202f\xa0
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NOTE: This podcast was recorded in January 2020, shortly after an attack on US forces in Kenya. Kathy mentions this attack contemporaneously as a current event in January. This attack did not occur in April when this podcast airs.\u202fViews presented in the podcast as reflective of COL. Katherine Graef\u2019s personal opinions and are not those of the Department of Defense\u202for any of its components.\u202f\xa0
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Episode Highlights:\u202f\u202f\xa0
- Graef\u2019s current role as Logistics Director of Special Operations Command Africa has been the most challenging but the most reward role\u202fso\u202ffar in her career\u202f\xa0
- \u202f\u201cIt takes moral courage to look somebody in the eye and say, \u2018Hey, you\u2019re not meeting the standard.\u201d\u202f\xa0
- When leaders are faced with an employee who does not meet expectations, focus on the outcome you\u202fseek.\u202f\xa0
- Reflect as a leader and ask yourself: 1. Are you providing the right instruction\u202ffor\u202fyour subordinates to be successful?\u202f2.\u202fAre you as a leader giving an underperforming subordinate the tools\u202fneeded\u202fto be successful?\u202f3. Is your training or leadership style working for\u202fall\u202fof\u202fyour\u202fsubordinates?\u202f\xa0
- Humans in general tend to gravitate toward problem-focused solutions to\u202fresolve issues\u202frather than solution-focused. High performers approach problems with a solution-focused\u202fmindset.\u202f\xa0
- Graef will test people if she feels integrity in compromised in someone\u202fand discusses how a lack of integrity is a deal breaker for her.\u202f\xa0
- Leadership authenticity shows up in\u202fa\u202fleader\u2019s\u202fability to be consistent in the\u202ftreatment of\u202ftheir superiors,\u202fpeers, and\u202fsubordinates. \u201cYou have to model and reward the behavior you seek.\u201d\u202fA lack of consistency in leadership reduces credibility in the organization and the organization\u2019s values.\u202f\xa0
- A lack of alignment\u202fof\u202fauthenticity creates\u202fstress, Graef\u202fdiscusses her journey of\u202fbeing fully authentic\u202fand how it empowered her to fully enjoy life\u202f\xa0
- As a leader, you must understand what an organization needs from you and under what competencies are required to\u202fprioritize,\u202fperform,\u202fand\u202fthrive.\u202f\xa0
- Understand what your followers need from you as a leader.\u202f\xa0
- A leader must set the pace to avoid burnout and live a balanced life.\u202f\u202f\xa0
- A high performing leader\u202fhas the ability to\u202fbalance humility and confidence.\u202f\xa0
- Self-awareness is critical, a leader much learn the physical symptoms that come with self-doubt and lack of confidence.\u202f\xa0
- Sometimes it takes a situation or some kind of adversity to occur in order to provide the opportunity for a leader to be great instead of just average
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Resources Mentioned:\u202f\xa0
- How We Decide \u202fby Jonah Lehrer\u202f\xa0
- Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do \u202fby Claude Steele\u202f\xa0
- To learn more about how to become a resilient and adaptable leader please visit\u202fhttps://www.higherechelon.com/\u202f\xa0
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To learn more on how you can take your leadership to the next level, check out our service offerings: Resilient and Adaptable Leadership, Executive Coaching, and Change Management.\xa0