Episode 149

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Published on:

27th Jul 2023

The Courage to Be Disliked: Exploring the Nuances of Decision-Making with Deborah Snow Walsh (Ep. 149)

Have you ever wondered how to navigate office politics, lead your team effectively, and make challenging decisions in the face of change?

In this episode, host Denise Cooper engages in an enlightening conversation with the savvy and experienced Deborah Snow Walsh. Deborah, a builder of organizations, DEI advocate, and a leading talent executive, discusses strategies for dealing with office politics and power plays. With her unique background in sales and talent acquisition for Fortune 200 companies and successful entrepreneurship, Deborah possesses a wealth of knowledge and insights to guide listeners through the often challenging terrain of office dynamics.

"The most valuable people are those who focus on finding a solution and executing on it. These people bring others into the process, making them feel like they are part of the solution," says Snow-Walsh.

This often requires having the courage to be disliked in the office. We know that some decisions are not widespread, but they're right for the organization. People might dislike the decision and, by extension, the person who made the decision. This can be the root of office politics in an organization.

Navigating these tough situations requires specific skills, according to Walsh. "It takes courage, confidence, and conviction. Leaders must have a thoughtful view of what's best for the organization and what the particular decision will mean for its progress. This often requires them to have the courage to be disliked and the conviction that their decision is right for the corporation."

So, if you want to understand how to navigate office politics, build strategic alliances, and turn challenging power dynamics into opportunities for personal and professional growth, this is the episode for you.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS SHOW

  1. What is the difference between "being right" and "being valuable" in an organization? [04:48]
  2. Can you have power within an organization if you don't have an executive title? What is the difference between power and influence?[11:24]
  3. Knowing that people do the things they like to do first - how might leaders go about following up with people who didn't do what they said they would do? [22:56]

EPISODE RESOURCES

  • Got questions? Send it to denise.cooper@rllessons.com
  • Subscribe on iTunes, and leave us a rating or review: https://apple.co/3usChxk
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About the Podcast

Remarkable Leadership Lessons
Listen today to learn how you can lead high-preforming, inclusive teams.
On the Remarkable Leadership Lessons Podcast, we believe that acknowledging that you don’t know what to do differently is a sign of strength not weakness. Our guests will give you the tools to ask for that much-needed raise, to prepare yourself for life in the C-Suite, and to develop a growth mindset that leads you and your team to the desired results. We help you make work, career and leadership work for you.

Host Denise Cooper helps listeners assemble the building blocks of emotional intelligence: accountability, compassion, the willingness to admit wrongdoing, and the determination to follow through. Problems do not end with strategy. They end with thoughtfully developed solutions consistently put into practice.
Make your actions intentional, your behaviors mindful, and your decisions deliberate. And no matter what, own up to all of them.

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Denise Cooper