with Michelle Johnston, PhD
Management Professor / Executive Coach / Leadership Expert
Meeting a kindred spirit who aligns with how I think about great leadership, providing some additional perspectives and stories, is always a treat. Dr. Michelle Johnston is a management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert who serves as the Gaston Chair of Business at Loyola University New Orleans. She recently published The Seismic Shift in Leadership: How to Thrive in a New Era of Connection, which became an Amazon bestseller. Michelle exudes authenticity and her messages are important ones as the world of work continues to shift away from command-and-control leadership styles.
Episode 70 | Seismic Shifts in Leadership
The truly effective leader today is able to meaningfully connect with their teams and to inspire and motivate them.
What inspired you to write the Seismic Shift in Leadership?
“When I was a young professor I terrified students,” Michelle humbly explains. “I had a whole lot to prove and had been trained by “drill sergeant-like” leaders. I would call students out in front of everyone. And my teaching ratings were below average, despite working hard… ” Like many leaders, Michelle led others the way she was taught by her leaders. This style wasn’t working and she had to pivot away from command-and-control and a fear-based culture, to truly connecting with those she led. “I felt I needed to get the word out so other leaders can [also] make this seismic shift,” she explains.
In the book, you talk about how achieving connection was very much a personal journey for you. Tell us about that.
Connection was not a natural gift of Michelle’s. She learned to become vulnerable and authentic and put herself out there. The opposite of command-and-control is all about connection, she explains She was inspired by reading Brene Brown’s Gifts of Imperfection and realized how much she was trying to be perfect. “I realized that perfection equals disconnection. I wore this mask that didn’t enable me to connect with my students.”
The truly effective leader today is able to meaningfully connect with their teams and to inspire and motivate them. But first, Michelle explains, they need to connect with and understand themselves and be who they truly are.
“You need to spend a lot of time owning and knowing your story.” She encourages leaders to think about an event in their lives that really affected how they lead. “Going through this together as a team really builds team trust. Once you know someone’s true story, you’re less likely to assume the worst.”
“Share with people where you’re from, how you were raised, what your leadership journey has been. I had grown up moving around every two years, and I didn’t own this story. I lived almost everywhere! I had to do some soul searching to understand who I was and to own my story,” Michelle describes.
“And once I owned my story and I understood who I was and really accepted my strengths, my blind spots, all of a sudden I went in and I was a very different leader. I was authentic, I was real, I was genuine, I wasn’t putting on an act. I wasn’t trying to be a military drill sergeant. I was finally comfortable in my own skin. And once I was comfortable in my own skin, I connected with the students and then I got faculty member of the year. But it wasn’t until all those things fell into place,” explains Michelle.
Michelle describes how the leaders who are best at connecting are able to show their people respect, appreciation, and listen to them and make them feel heard during difficult times… it’s about that human connection.
How does truly connecting make for stronger leadership?
Michelle describes how the leaders who are best at connecting are able to show their people respect, appreciation, and listen to them and make them feel heard during difficult times… it’s about that human connection. “I see you, I hear you, I appreciate you…” those are the leaders who make real connections and who get the best from their people.
In the book you talk about owning your communication style. I’ve noticed a gap when it comes to leaders who truly listen (many of them talk way too much). What thoughts do you have on talking versus listening and how to help leaders with this gap?
I just finished a 360 report of a manager and that was a main theme. Her strengths got her here and she wants to get to a higher level. But to get there she needs to stop talking and start listening. She would talk, direct, talk, direct….and not listen!
Pete November taught me a lot about this, which is in the book. He turned the 80/20 rule around when working with his team. He began each executive meeting with a personal connection. He taught me that you can [more successfully] run a meeting by asking more questions and listening 80% of the time and directing/talking only 20% of the time. People loved him and sought to work for him!
“And once I owned my story and I understood who I was and really accepted my strengths, my blind spots, all of a sudden I went in and I was a very different leader. I was authentic, I was real, I was genuine, I wasn’t putting on an act…” Dr. Michelle Johnston
What do you read and or listen to for your own growth and development?
- “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown really changed Michelle’s life.
- Dr. Ruth Gotian’s weekly show “Optimizing Success”
- “The Success Factor” by Ruth Gotian
If you could have one wish for a better world when it comes to leadership, what would it be?
Assuming positive intent. We assume the worst [in other people] as humans, but we need to go into interactions assuming positive intent.
About Dr. Michelle K Johnston:
Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert who is the Clifton A. Morvant Distinguished Professor in Business at Loyola University New Orleans. Her first book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, The Seismic Shift in Leadership: How to Thrive in a New Era of Connection, is now an Amazon bestseller.
She was recently named A Woman of the Year by CityBusiness and one of the most influential New Orleanians. Michelle is a celebrated keynote speaker presenting at conferences and events nationwide. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from Louisiana State University and was named to the prestigious 100 Coaches Group, which consists of the top executive coaches worldwide.
For speaking engagements, media, and more, visit MichelleKJohnston.com.
