• Home
  • Episodes
  • Books for Leaders
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • Our Sponsors
  • Blog
  • Urban Team Challenge
  • Sign Up for our Newsletter
The Leadership Podcast

The Leadership Podcast

We Study Leaders

September 25, 2019

TLP169: When Bureaucracy Bears Down

http://traffic.libsyn.com/theleadershippodcast/TLP_169.mp3
Play in New WindowDownload

When you are working in a highly regulated and restricted environment, it may be more challenging to come up with creative solutions, make decisions and work within a culture that feels flexible. However, this week, Jim and Jan discuss the unique leadership challenges in the public sector, and how to still thrive.  Jim and Jan answer a few listener questions and concerns regarding problems that are unique to public sector organizations, and give personal examples of times they needed to think outside the box to move things along. 

Key Takeaways 

[2:22] Before we look at external threats, we must first look internally and see what we are able to control. 

[4:03] When bureaucracy bears down and feels constrictive, great leaders are creative in problem solving. 

[10:46] Challenge your assumptions and be open to a different way of doing things. 

Highly regulated complex systems are rarely air tight, so look for the gaps. 

[11:13] Be crystal clear about expectations, including who does what by when and what the consequences will be if someone fails to meet the expectations. 

[15:03] Try to talk with the union, find a common interests and see where you can work together to find a solution for the greater group. 

[16:43] Control what you can, and adapt and change around those you can’t. By doing this, we influence for the good. 

[22:09] Your network is your insurance policy, and so is learning and growing within your company and industry. It is your personal responsibility to take lessons learned when you can. 


How to Contact Jim & Jan


Strategic Partner

Beyond the Uniform offers over 300 free episodes to help military Veterans succeed in their civilian career. This includes overviews of potential career paths, deep dives on necessary skills to succeed, and reviews of other free services that support the military Veteran community. You can find more info at BeyondTheUniform.org.

Quotable Quotes 

  • “Remove some of your assumptions, challenge them and pressure test them.” 
  • “Ultimately, the thing we all have is a choice.” 
  • “Control what you can.” 
  • “Invent your way out of a tight box.” 
  • “Learn how to adapt and change.” 

Additional References:

  • How to Deal with Stifling Bureaucracies 
  • Find the best boss, the industry doesn’t matter 
  • Pressure Test Your Assumptions

This is the LEDx panel discussion referenced in today’s podcast. The question starts at 7:37:34 which is where the video should start.

Jim & Jan

These are the books mentioned in Jim and Jan’s podcasts.

The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years
Buy now!
The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
Buy now!
All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Leaders Eat Last

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Leaders Eat Last
Buy now!
Leaders Eat Last

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
Buy now!
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Dress for Success

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Dress for Success
Buy now!
Dress for Success

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Buy now!
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great
Buy now!
Plato’s Lemonade Stand: Stirring Change into Something Great

Strengths Finder 2.0

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Strengths Finder 2.0
Buy now!
Strengths Finder 2.0

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Buy now!
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems
Buy now!
Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations: Ancient Philosophy for Modern Problems

The Power of Habit

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Power of Habit
Buy now!
The Power of Habit

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Buy now!
How to Win Friends and Influence People

The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!
Buy now!
The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression!

Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade
Buy now!
Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
Buy now!
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing

The Experience Economy

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Experience Economy
Buy now!
The Experience Economy

Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are
Buy now!
Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are

The Wisdom of Crowds

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Wisdom of Crowds
Buy now!
The Wisdom of Crowds

Man’s Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Man’s Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust
Buy now!
Man’s Search For Meaning: The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
Buy now!
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Buy now!
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Let’s Get Small

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Let’s Get Small
Buy now!
Let’s Get Small

The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organizations

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organizations
Buy now!
The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organizations

The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence
Buy now!
The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence

Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk
Buy now!
Grandstanding: The Use and Abuse of Moral Talk

THE COMPASS SOLUTION – A GUIDE TO WINNING YOUR CAREER

Buy This Book Online
Website
THE COMPASS SOLUTION – A GUIDE TO WINNING YOUR CAREER
Buy now!
THE COMPASS SOLUTION – A GUIDE TO WINNING YOUR CAREER

Leaders: Myth and Reality

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Leaders: Myth and Reality
Buy now!
Leaders: Myth and Reality

Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do About It

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do About It
Buy now!
Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance and What We Can Do About It

The Littlest Green Beret

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from Audible.com
The Littlest Green Beret
Buy now!
The Littlest Green Beret

Thinking Fast & Slow

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Thinking Fast & Slow
Buy now!
Thinking Fast & Slow

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Buy now!
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Leadership BS

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Leadership BS
Buy now!
Leadership BS

Team of Teams

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Audible.com
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Team of Teams
Buy now!
Team of Teams

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Buy now!
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

The Future of Management

Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
The Future of Management
Buy now!