Being Present During Difficult Times (With Preet Makkar)

Host Christi Scarrow talks to Preet Makkar, the Head of Human Resources at Haleon, who emphasizes authenticity in leadership. She discusses managing personal and professional stressors, advocating for emotional regulation and self-awareness. Preet highlights how leaders' emotional states impact employee retention, noting how negativity can increase turnover. She stresses candid conversations, prepared feedback, and continuous growth through self-reflection and mentorship. She underscores vulnerability in building trust and effective leadership.

Action Items

-Engage in personal reflection and understand your triggers to get “out of the box”

-Prepare for difficult conversations with specific examples and clear impact.

-Schedule feedback when the recipient is in the right frame of mind.

-Follow up after feedback to address questions or concerns.

-Embrace positive feedback to identify strengths.

-Reflect on triggering feedback for growth.

Outline

Lessons in Authentic Leadership

-Preet stresses being an authentic leader and staying true to oneself.

-Christi notes leadership's complexity due to maintaining an image.

-Preet discusses challenges of staying present amid pressures.

Emotional Regulation and Triggers

-Preet highlights how personal struggles impact leadership and the importance of being present as  a leader.

-Preet explains the concept of "going into the box" and its negative emotional effects and the financial and engagement risks of prolonged negativity.

Building Trust and Self-Awareness

-Preet emphasizes self-awareness and self-reflection in leadership.

-Preet stresses work-life integration and self-investment post-pandemic.

Vulnerability and Emotional Trust

-Preet shares a personal story, drawing leadership parallels to parenting.  She highlights the need for openness and vulnerability's role in building trust.

-Preet reflects on generational attitudes toward vulnerability and stresses that vulnerability fosters emotional trust.

-Christi shares lessons from good and bad managers.

Handling Difficult Conversations

-Preet stresses the importance of candid conversations at work and at home. 

-She shares the quote that “avoiding difficult conversations is trading in short term discomfort, for long term dysfunction.” 

-Preet advises preparing for conversations with clarity and timing.

Balancing Support and Psychological Safety

-Christi and Preet discuss balancing support and psychological safety.

-Preet critiques the "s*** sandwich" feedback approach and dvocates for clear, specific, and prepared feedback conversations.

-She emphasizes follow-up and continuous discussions for growth.

Receiving and Embracing Feedback

-Christi asks about making feedback easier to receive.

-Preet stresses embracing positive feedback and strength and shares a story about a triggering word and dealing with unresolved issues.

-She advises thanking people for honest feedback and using it for growth.

Self-Awareness and Continuous Development

-Christi asks her to discuss the role of self-awareness in development.

-Preet highlights learning through experiences and mentorship and encourages embracing feedback for self-improvement.

-She warns against treating feedback as mere theory without action.

Final Thoughts on Leadership

-Emphasizes leadership as a responsibility and a chance for growth.

-Encourages leaders to take their role seriously and be memorable.

Useful Links

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