Two Things You Must Do Before You Can Lead Others

In this episode of our Corporate Competitor Podcast, Keller Williams KWx CEO Carl Liebert looks back on his experiences as a U.S. Naval Academy cadet and athlete and as a business executive to discuss the virtuous circle of coachability at the center of successful teams.

When Carl Liebert was a young cadet in the U.S. Naval Academy, he used to join Admiral Mike Mullen, who had been Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on his early morning rounds aboard a ship docked off the coast of Maryland. There he learned a lesson he’s applied not only to commanding a ship but also a business.

“Admiral Mullen used to say that as you go to a new command, or a new company, you should focus on three things,” Liebert shared. “First, listen. Go out and ask great questions. Second, once you’ve listened, go through a period of learning. Only after you’ve done both of those things is it time to lead.”

A former Navy basketball player, Liebert went on to earn advanced degrees from Harvard, Stanford, and Vanderbilt en route to attaining two decades of C-Suite experience at Home Depot, 24-Hour Fitness, USAA, AutoNation, and now Keller Williams’ parent holding company KWx. He’s been part of many great teams in his day, and he says the best share two key traits: they’re packed with coachable people—including the leader—and they show a strong bias toward taking the shot when they’re open.

“As a leader, my job is not to have all the ideas but to encourage others to take that shot because rarely in life do you learn by studying something,” Liebert noted. “You learn by doing it, failing, and then reapplying what you’ve learned.”

Listeners to the podcast will learn:

• Why you should focus on the “free throws” and “box outs” of business rather than the fancy moves

• Why a crisis offers you an opportunity to take risks rather than observe caution

• How leaders can prevent their teams from turning one mistake into two

• Why Liebert gives his team “permission to fail”

Liebert has been coached by some of the best. Now he wants to assist you. Have a listen.

YOU WILL LEARN:

•  7:45   Why improvement requires patience.

• 14:45  How to identify individuals that are lifelong learners.

• 17:00  Breaking down teams fueled by trust.

• 30:00  The key elements of building a cohesive team.

• 38:30  How to surround yourself with people that help minimize your mistakes.

• 41:45  How to create a risk-taking culture.

• 45:00  Why Liebert gives his team “permission to fail”

Check out the full Corporate Competitor Podcast interview archive and subscribe to new episodes.


MORE LIKE THIS

  • Get the CEO Briefing

    Sign up today to get weekly access to the latest issues affecting CEOs in every industry
  • upcoming events

    Roundtable

    Strategic Planning Workshop

    1:00 - 5:00 pm

    Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

    Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

    1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
    2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
    3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

     

    Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

    New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

    Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

    2:00 - 5:00 pm

    Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

    Limited space available.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

    Golf Outing

    10:30 - 5:00 pm
    General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
    Sponsored by UBS

    General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

    The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.