George Couros, author of “The Innovator’s Mindset,” and “Forward, Together,” is an internationally recognized speaker on innovation and leadership.
George explores why lasting change depends less on persuasion and more on participation. He discusses the importance of listening to skeptics, encouraging disagreement, and building trust so people feel comfortable challenging ideas.
At its core, the conversation asks a simple question: Is leadership about getting people to follow your vision, or creating the conditions for them to shape it and take ownership?
Find episode 534 on The Leadership Podcast, on YouTube @theleadershippodcast, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Watch this Episode on YouTube | TLP534: What If You’re Wrong? | George Couros
Key Moments
- Adapting innovation to the realities and resources of an organization.
- Giving students the freedom to pursue their own ideas and take an active role in learning.
- The distinction between buy-in and ownership, and the value of involving people in shaping a shared vision.
- Inviting skeptical families into the process and incorporating their feedback into educational change.
- The limits of data and evidence when people lack an emotional connection to change.
- Building trust that allows people to challenge ideas and try unfamiliar approaches.
- The difference between debate, which focuses on winning, and discussion, which seeks the best solution, including George’s experience publicly criticizing Dave Burgess.
- Measuring leadership success by how much better others become, while allowing people to contribute their strengths to a shared direction.
The Leadership Podcast is sponsored by W.S. Darley & Company.
Founded in 1908, Darley remains a family owned and operated business, providing the highest quality equipment solutions to our country’s warfighters and firefighters.
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Memorable Quotes
“It's not about your idea or my idea. It's about the best idea. It doesn't matter where it comes from.” Share on X “Debate is focused on winners and losers. Discussion is focused on finding the best solutions.” Share on X “If people do not feel an emotional connection to it, that's when you lose them.” Share on X “When I make everyone else better because of my leadership, I win.” Share on X “Leadership is not something you bestow upon yourself. It's something that others bestow upon you.” Share on X “People love it when their fingerprints are on the solution.” Share on X “There's nothing I've ever asked anybody to do, ever, that you don't see me doing.” Share on XExplore the full archive at www.theleadershippodcast.com or wherever you get your podcasts!
These are the books mentioned in our discussion with George.
Resources Mentioned
- The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com
- Sponsored by | www.darley.com
- Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com
- Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com
- Website | www.georgecouros.com
- LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/georgecourosim
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