Welcome to a special holiday installment of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, where I explore how to embrace the festive spirit without feeling overwhelmed by stress. This episode compiles scientific and anecdotal evidence, providing actionable advice for achieving genuine disconnection from work as well as authentic connection with our friends and family. Understand the necessity of truly stepping away from work to allow for restoration, enabling you to start the new year with renewed vigor.

The episode also delves into the importance of being mindful of conversational topics during holiday gatherings. Learn strategies for navigating discussions to maintain a positive and constructive environment, safeguarding your relationships from unnecessary tension.

We will also highlight the perils of pursuing perfection, highlighting that the true essence of the holidays lies in connection and shared moments. Explore the concept of giving experiences as gifts, which create lasting psychological and emotional benefits. I close by sharing perhaps the most meaningful gift we can give those we care about. It is simpler and more powerful than you may think.

What You’ll Learn

- How can we maintain the season’s magic without losing our peace?

- The importance of disconnection for reconnection

- Why we need to set boundaries to show up at our best

- The perils of chasing perfection

- Give the gift of experience

- The power of being intentional about our attention

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Holiday Stress, Relaxation and Recovery, Recharging, Self-Care, Setting Boundaries, The Power of a Positive No, Perfectionism, Nurturing Relationships, Digital Detox, Happiness, Meaningful Life, Well-Being, Interpersonal Connection, Positive Conversations, Positive Communication, Attention Economy, Family Dynamics, Mental Health, Managing Stress, Success Principles

Join us for an enlightening discussion as we explore the intersection of hospitality and leadership with our latest guest, Taylor Scott. Taylor, an accomplished author, keynote speaker, and leadership development consultant, shares insights from his rich career spanning Disney Parks and Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, and Las Vegas landmarks like Wynn and the Cosmopolitan. He reveals the inspiration behind his latest book, "Give Hospitality," a Hawaiian-themed fable that draws on real-life experiences and relationships with influential leaders. Listen in as we discuss the art of storytelling and its power to convey essential leadership principles, while Taylor highlights the role of mentors and personal connections in shaping his narrative.

Discover the transformative essence of hospitality in leadership as we reflect on its role in creating welcoming and inclusive environments. Inspired by a memorable pre-opening speech at Gaylord Palms Resort, we explore how the spirit of hospitality can bridge divides in both personal and professional settings. This conversation emphasizes the importance of generosity, kindness, and the spirit of Aloha in fostering meaningful relationships and driving performance. Taylor shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the impact of empathy and authenticity in leadership, revealing how these qualities build trust and foster a culture of connection.

We also touch on the importance of intentional leadership and organizational transformation, as Taylor shares his journey from Walt Disney World to the bustling scene of Las Vegas. He emphasizes the significance of gratitude and intentionality in overcoming challenges and achieving desired outcomes. In addition, we discuss the dual aspects of giving and receiving hospitality through effective feedback, underscoring the importance of dialogue and constructive conversations. Finally, we highlight the role of personal and organizational values in creating a culture of hospitality, offering practical exercises and metrics to measure success. Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation that promises to inspire and inform.

Key Takeaways

– Hospitality is the ability to make people feel welcome, comfortable, and important, a core competency of transformational leadership that applies across all industries

– Emotional connection drives behavioral change; Jonathan Haidt's "rider and elephant" metaphor shows how emotion (the elephant) provides the energy while logic (the rider) provides direction

– Consistency in leadership behavior, not initial perfection, builds trust and credibility; keep showing up authentically even when facing initial skepticism

– Remote leadership is possible when leaders commit to three non-negotiables: one-on-one meetings, team meetings, and strategic digital communication

Chapters

02:21 Guest Introduction: Taylor Scott's Background and 20-Year Hospitality Career

03:54 The Inspiration Behind Give Hospitality: Hawaiian Theme and Fable Format

05:25 The Story of Kauele Resort: Character Development and Core Values

12:31 The GIVE Framework: Hospitality Rooted in the Spirit of Aloha

14:21 Business Results and Hospitality: The Inseparable Connection Between Relationships and Performance

18:33 Empathy as a Learnable Skill: Building Authentic Connection in Stressful Times

21:01 Consistency in Leadership: Why Daily Behaviors Build Trust More Than Words

27:33 Intentional Leadership: Vision, Mission, and Values as Accountability Anchors

45:50 Leading with Hospitality in Remote and Hybrid Environments

Connect with Craig Dowden and the Do Good to Lead Well Podcast

Website: https://www.craigdowden.com

Guest Contact Information

Taylor Scott: Founder Hospitality, LLC

Website: https://www.leadwithhospitality.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tscott1502/

Email: info@leadwithhospitality.com

Books:

- Give Hospitality

- Lead with Hospitality

- Ball Games to Boardrooms

What if your team could achieve unprecedented levels of performance and accountability? Unravel the secrets of transformational leadership in our discussion with Keith Ferrazzi, a trailblazing executive team coach and New York Times bestselling author. Keith's latest book, "Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship," draws from over two decades of research and thousands of team assessments, revealing strategies that have revolutionized giants like General Motors and are now shaping AI-driven transformations.

Ever wondered how to turn conflict into a catalyst for creativity? Keith shares his insights on transforming organizational culture through strategic stress testing. By pioneering the use of small breakout rooms, teams can cultivate psychological safety and facilitate candid feedback. This shift from conflict avoidance to a culture of candor is not just theoretical, learn how it is being applied to achieve significant improvements in team dynamics. We delve into practical shifts and the establishment of a new social contract within teams, underscoring the potential for innovation and resilience in the face of challenges.

During challenging times, how do teams not just survive, but thrive? We spotlight the resilience-building practices that Keith champions, like energy checks and gratitude circles, which have fortified teams during the pandemic. Learn from the success stories of high-performing teams, such as those at Elf Beauty, who leverage modern collaboration techniques for faster product development and competitive pricing. Keith's philosophy of "never lead alone" resonates throughout, advocating for a culture where gratitude and collective success are at the forefront. Engage with us as we embrace passion-fueled leadership and the transformative potential of team dynamics.

What You’ll Learn

- The Power of Co-Elevation.

- Strategies for transforming team dynamics.

- Building unshakeable team resilience.

- Intentional leadership and collaboration in hybrid work.

- Peer coaching and open 360 feedback.

- Embracing gratitude and collective success to revolutionize organizational culture

Podcast Timestamps

(00:00) - Leadership Strategies for High Performing Teams

(09:58) - Transforming Organizational Culture Through Stress Testing

(16:33) - Rewriting the Social Contract

(29:39) - Building Team Resilience and Culture

(45:36) - Leadership as a Core Passion

KEYWORDS

Positive Leadership, Team Dynamics, Co-elevation, High Performance, Accountability, Stress Testing, Organizational Culture, Conflict Avoidance, Candid Feedback, Social Contract, Resilience, Creativity, Energy Checks, Gratitude Circles, Modern Collaboration, Positive Focus, Collective Success, Passion, Engagement, CEO Success