Building Resilient Leadership in Uncertain Times with Scott Marshall (CEO of Semester at Sea)

In this insightful episode of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast, we tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing leaders today: navigating uncertainty. The conversation explores the gap between the increasing complexity of the modern world and the preparedness of leaders to effectively manage it.

 

Our guest, Scott Marshall, CEO of Semester at Sea, brings his extensive experience in leading through complex and transformative periods to the discussion. We delve into the core issue: while studies show executives anticipate growing business challenges and identify complex problem-solving as a key 21st-century leadership skill, a significant number of leaders feel ill-equipped to handle change and ambiguous situations.   

We move beyond simply acknowledging the problem to exploring actionable strategies.

Key discussion points include:

• Dissecting the difference between uncertainty and complexity and understanding how each impacts leadership.
• Examining the psychology of uncertainty and why our brains are wired to struggle with it.
• Practical approaches to training oneself and others to embrace uncertainty, emphasizing that it's a meta-skill requiring practice and experiential learning.  
• The vital role of self-care, philosophical frameworks (like Stoicism and the Tao Te Ching), and community support in building resilience.
• A candid discussion on finding personal meaning and motivation in the face of life's inherent uncertainty. 

 

Whether you're a seasoned executive, an emerging leader, or simply interested in personal growth, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways for cultivating resilience and thriving in an unpredictable world.

Know more about Semester at Sea https://www.semesteratsea.org/

Connect with Scott in LinkedIn

Listen to his podcast "As Unexpected" 

 

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