Episode 111: Stepping Up Your Leadership and Building a Team w/ Insights From Linda M. Perry
Episode Link: Listen Here
In Episode 111 of The Business Reboot Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Linda M. Perry—a mindset coach and business strategist who transitioned from a federal criminal defense attorney to guiding business owners in scaling their businesses and enhancing their leadership. The discussion was rich with insights about overcoming mental barriers, understanding motivations, and building effective teams.
The Brain’s Negativity Bias and Overcoming It
Linda Perry kicked off the episode by talking about how our brains are naturally inclined to focus on negative thoughts and experiences. This negativity bias can become a significant hindrance in both our personal and professional lives. Linda emphasized the importance of moving beyond this negativity to embrace what she calls our “personal brilliance.” This process involves recognizing and tackling the limiting beliefs that keep us stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.
These limiting beliefs often stem from early experiences and can be perpetuated throughout adulthood, affecting our business growth and leadership abilities. Linda’s approach aligns with Carl Jung’s theory of the shadow, suggesting that understanding these beliefs can lead to substantial personal and professional transformation.
Self-Awareness and Leadership
One of the key takeaways from our conversation with Linda was the importance of self-awareness in leadership. She explained how traditional leadership often uses critical and harsh feedback, especially in high-pressure professions like law. However, effective leadership requires more than just delivering feedback; it involves understanding oneself and others.
Linda shared that using tools like the enneagram and identifying our core motivations can significantly enhance our leadership abilities. The enneagram can reveal unique characteristics, such as the desire for mastery or trust, helping leaders understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
The Role of Motivation in Team Building
Linda delved into the concept of core motivations and how understanding these can prevent roadblocks in team-building. Businesses often hire based on immediate needs without considering cultural fit and core motivations, leading to dysfunction. Linda suggests starting with a deep understanding of personal motivations, which can guide hiring and team development processes.
We discussed the significance of team culture and the impact of team members’ personalities on a business. Linda emphasized the need to understand team members’ individual motivations and how this understanding can improve communication and team dynamics. She shared an anecdote about a COO mismatch due to a lack of alignment with the overall team dynamic, illustrating the importance of aligning individual roles with the company’s mission, values, and goals.
Building Effective Teams
Effective teams are those where everyone is clear about their own strengths, values, and mission, which are aligned with the company’s vision. This alignment leads to better cohesion and trust within the team. Linda stressed the importance of leaders actively embodying the company’s mission and vision, encouraging team members to follow suit and trust the leadership.
Corry shared her experience hiring her first assistant, Jen, for my photography business. Initially, Jen was hired to manage customer service and backend operations, but she eventually took on roles including photo editing, sales calls, and scheduling. What stood out about Jen was her heart of service and her ability to represent my brand positively. This experience underscored the importance of hiring based on personality and potential rather than just specific skills.
Overcoming Challenges in Leadership
Linda pointed out that many business owners, particularly those over 40, try to do everything themselves without seeking help. This approach often leads to hitting an “entrepreneurial ceiling” where growth stagnates due to internal limitations. Understanding and overcoming these limitations is crucial for business growth.
Melissa shared a personal story about a poor hiring decision based on personal connection rather than a thoughtful process, leading to the dismissal of an employee. This anecdote highlighted the necessity of aligning individual roles with the company’s mission, values, and goals, rather than making hiring decisions based solely on immediate needs or personal affinities.
Our conversation with Linda M. Perry was a treasure trove of insights about leadership and team building. Understanding one’s motivations and those of team members, overcoming limiting beliefs, and aligning individual and company goals are fundamental to creating a successful and cohesive team. As business owners, it’s crucial to embrace personal growth and build a team that reflects both your mission and vision. If you’re looking to take your leadership to the next level and scale your business effectively, start with self-awareness and move forward deliberately.
For more on Linda M. Perry and her work, you can visit her website at lindamperry.com or follow her on Instagram @linda.m.perry. We’re excited to continue these conversations and explore more ways to reboot your business!
https://www.instagram.com/linda.m.perry/
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Blessings,
Corry and Melissa
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