Curiosity & Connection with Linwood Paul & Matt D’Amour of Subtle Distinctions
For the effective leader, curiosity is a powerful tool to build and nurture strong connections.
Today we speak with leadership experts Linwood Paul and Matt D’Amour of Subtle Distinctions about how fostering your curiosity will make you a better leader; especially at times when emotions run high. Early in the show, we discuss the need to free up space in our minds for what’s most important. Matt then explains how curiosity can limit distractions before Linwood explores how curiosity can develop relationships. From taking stock of your inner-world to helping people feel seen and heard, we touch on the leadership benefits of being curious and how this leads to greater productivity and ultimately, higher returns. Matt and Linwood share their advice on staying connected during the pandemic through intentional communication, and reflect on the fact that the more effort you put into connecting, the more valuable that connection becomes. A key lesson, we reflect on how the more effort you put into connecting, the more you value that connection.
Later in the episode, we chat about how to make the most of your time, modeling a strong work culture, and why creating a shared pool of meaning leads to better decision-making. A conversation filled with actionable steps to expand your leadership ability. Tune in to benefit from Linwood and Matt’s proven insights.
Key Points From This Episode:
The need to free up space in our minds for what’s most important.
Exploring the links between curiosity and building connections.
What you can do to develop curiosity in your life.
Building a connection by making people feel seen and heard.
Hear about the pillars that lead to being a present and open leader.
Advice on how people can stay connected during the pandemic.
Linwood and Matt talk about how they maintain their connection as business partners and colleagues.
The five currencies that we expend for any action and how this impacts our perception of a service or product.
The differences between finding time, making time, or taking time.
Connecting before doing business versus connecting after business has concluded.
Modeling your work culture so that your team is aware of all expectations.
Why you need to give your team an opportunity to share their views.
How you can make excellent decisions by creating a pool of shared meaning.
Tweetables:
“Part of connecting is also letting go of some things, and allowing the top priorities to remain at a place on the desktop where they can be easily accessed.” — Linwood Paul [0:02:38]
“As it relates to building connections, curiosity keeps things fresh and open. It keeps possibilities available.” — Linwood Paul [0:03:36]
“Curiosity only comes through inquiry. When someone inquires — that satiates [a] person’s desire to be seen and heard. That is at the core of a fundamental need in all humans.” — Matt D’Amour [0:06:32]
“We’re focusing on how technology can help us connect faster but in that process, we’re losing a lot of intention in how we want to connect.” — Matt D’Amour [0:15:10]
“The more effort that we have to put into connecting, the more we value that connection and try to get the most out of it.” — Matt D’Amour [0:24:50]
“How about calling it unsocial media, you know? It’s unsocial media. ‘I’ve got a billion follower!’ Well, how many of them do you know?” — Linwood Paul [0:28:40]
“Each of us enters a conversation with our own feelings and experiences on a topic. This is our personal pool of meaning. With people, we need to create a pool of shared meaning. The more meaning we add to that pool, the better decisions we make.” — Linwood Paul [0:44:40]
“The more that we can get everyone talking, the more we’re going to come away with something better than any one person’s idea. It’s not either-or. It’s co-creation.” — Linwood Paul [45:05]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
