Approachable Leadership: Shrinking Power Distance with Phillip B. Wilson
- Sei Spiers
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
In Episode 288 of The Leadership Project, Mick Spiers welcomes leadership expert and keynote speaker Phillip Wilson. Known for his insightful books, "The Approachability Playbook" and "The Leader Shift Playbook," Phil discusses crucial topics such as approachability in leadership, the hero assumption, and avoiding the trap of what he calls "Mount Stupid."
Understanding Leadership Dynamics
Leadership isn't just about guiding others; it's about understanding the dynamics that exist between you and your team. One of the highlighted discussions in this episode focuses on the concept of power distance—the gap between leaders and their team members in terms of openness and approachability. Phil emphasises that leaders should strive to minimise this gap, encouraging a culture of safety and honest communication.
The Hero Assumption vs. The Villain Assumption
Mick and Phil delve into the differences between a hero assumption and a villain assumption in leadership interactions. Often, leaders might default to a villain assumption when faced with challenges or mistakes by their team. This episode explores the importance of consciously flipping this mindset to a hero assumption—believing that team members are well-intentioned and capable, which opens up possibilities for productive feedback and collaboration.
The Connection Model
Phil introduces the Connection Model of Approachable Leadership, comprising three core components:
Right Space: Being open and available to your team, which involves physically and mentally preparing an environment where team members feel welcome.
Right Feeling: Listening actively to understand, rather than to respond, making team members feel valued and heard.
Right Action: Following through with commitments and ensuring words match deeds, thereby building trust and reliability.
Confronting Mount Stupid
A key takeaway is the concept of "Mount Stupid," derived from the Dunning-Kruger effect, where individuals overestimate their understanding of a subject. Phil candidly shares his experience of realising he was not practising the very leadership principles he taught. This highlights the necessity for leaders to remain humble and continuously seek feedback and growth opportunities.
Implementing Change
Leaders are encouraged to engage in open dialogues with their teams, seeking honest feedback to improve their approachability and leadership effectiveness. Mick and Phil suggest structured exercises, such as utilising feedback cards, to gain insights into areas where leaders excel and where they can improve.
Takeaways for Leaders
By the end of the discussion, listeners gain actionable insights on how to make their leadership more approachable and effective:
Recognise and address power distance.
Adopt the hero assumption to foster a positive leadership environment.
Implement the Connection Model to enhance team relations and culture.
Continuously seek and act on feedback to avoid pitfalls like "Mount Stupid."
Phil Wilson’s insights remind us that leadership is an ongoing journey of learning and connection, where the ultimate goal is to empower others while nurturing a culture of trust and growth. For more insights, check out Phil’s books and his structured approaches to fostering impactful leadership.
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