A Leaders Challenge: Fostering Innovation and Patience (S2.44)

In what ways do you foster a safe, judgment-free environment where your team feels comfortable asking questions and exploring uncertainties?

Perry discusses the essence of effective leadership by embracing the chaos and ambiguity that comes with it. He explores why the focus should be on the "what," "why," and "where," leaving the "how" with room for creativity and flexibility. He also highlights how great leaders live through questions rather than chasing immediate answers, allowing their teams to grow and innovate continuously.

Key Takeaways

Discover why it’s crucial to iterate and align on the “what” and “why” of your vision rather than getting bogged down by the “how.”

Learn about wicked problems that are not meant to be definitively solved but navigated, bringing continuous learning and adaptation.

Inspired by Rilke, understand why embracing uncertainty and living through questions can guide you to profound answers over time.

See how journaling helps in reflecting, understanding thoughts, and adapting effectively as a leader.

Understand how maintaining a clear vision and having patience can steer through transitional phases and uncertainties.

Fun Fact from the Episode

Did you know that "wicked problems," as coined by Horst Rittel and Melvin Weber, have no stopping rule? They’re the types of challenges that generate new challenges even as you attempt to solve them. It’s a never-ending puzzle, but what better way to keep things exciting and innovative?

Memorable Moments

03:46 Embrace uncertainty; answers come through gradual living.

08:02 Leaders must navigate uncertainty, combat cognitive closure.

12:49 Feedback guides steps in organizational change efforts.

15:45 Clarity of vision affects leadership team dynamics.

17:16 Patience aids deeper understanding and meaningful progress.

21:02 Live the questions, reflect, and write down.

26:56 Organizations are defined by collective actions and culture.

30:47 Reflect on your communication focus and choices.

31:39 Resilience develops through embracing ambiguity and questions.

34:50 Life is about choosing to continue journeying.

Perry Maughmer believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments.

These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs.

This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor.

Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from.

Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer