The Art of Modern Leadership with Kirstin Ferguson

How can we balance our technical expertise with emotional intelligence and empathy to lead with impact? Dr. Kirstin Ferguson joins Kevin to discuss the evolving nature of leadership. Leadership with the head involves four key attributes – curiosity, wisdom, perspective, and capability. Leading with the head is tangible, it is the things we are good at, and it is what we have been rewarded for. While these attributes are necessary, we also need to lead with the heart. Dr. Ferguson shares heart-based attributes, which include humility, self-awareness, courage, and empathy. Combining both our head and our heart makes us better leaders and sets our team up for success. She also shares insights into leading in a remote/hybrid workplace.

Listen For

00:08 Kevin Eikenberry on the evolving nature of leadership.
02:31 Discussion on Kirstin Ferguson's book about modern leadership.
03:41 Kirstin Ferguson's career journey and leadership experiences.
05:39 Evolution and concept of modern leadership.
07:01 Challenges in adapting to modern leadership expectations.
09:09 Leading with the head: curiosity, wisdom, perspective, capability.
14:34 Heart-based attributes of leadership: humility, self-awareness, courage, empathy.
18:36 Evaluation of modern leaders in contemporary settings.
23:25 Role of wisdom in leadership in the information age.
26:45 Challenges and strategies of remote leadership.

Meet Kirstin

Kirstin's Story: Dr. Kirstin Ferguson is the author of two books. Her latest book, Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership debuted in the top 10 non-fiction bestseller list on release and has won numerous awards including being named one of the top 10 best new management books in the world (2023), Royal Society of Arts Career Book Award (2023), Australian Business Book Awards leadership category shortlist (2023), and North American Porchlight Business Book Awards leadership category shortlist (2023). She is one of the world's most recognized leadership experts and has been ranked as one of the top 50 management thinkers in the world. Kirstin spent fifteen years as a board chair and company director, sitting on a wide range of private company, large publicly listed and government boards. These roles also included an appointment by the Australian Prime Minister as Acting Chair and Deputy Chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Kirstin’s executive career included roles as CEO of a global consulting firm and a senior executive at a leading corporate law firm. Kirstin began her career as an Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. In 2023, Kirstin was recognized as a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contributions to business and gender equality. Kirstin also has a PhD in leadership and culture and is an Adjunct Professor at the QUT School of Business. Kirstin also has honors degrees in Law and History.

http://www.kirstinferguson.com/

http://www.headheartleader.com/

https://twitter.com/kirstinferguson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstinferguson/

https://www.instagram.com/kirstinferguson/

This Episode is brought to you by...

The Long-Distance Team. Remote leadership experts, Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, help leaders navigate the new world of remote and hybrid teams to design the culture they desire for their teams and organizations in their new book!

Book Recommendations

• Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership by Kirstin Ferguson
• Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy C. Edmondson

Like this?

• Lead From the Heart with Mark Crowley
• The Empathy Advantage with Heather McGowan
• Engineering Empathy in Your Organization with Dr. Nicole Price

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