Leadership confidence is not the same as competence
How do you speak truth to power? Or perhaps the real leadership question is, why would you speak truth to power? For Gordon Graham the answer was always because he had the best interests of his organisation at heart. When the integrity of his employer was under threat, Gordon put himself in the firing line by approaching his CEO with feedback. What unfolded was a long saga of toxic leadership and unethical management that took a concerted and courageous effort from Gordon and his colleagues to dismantle. In his book, The Intrepid Brotherhood, Gordon provides a cautionary tale to those in power and a reminder that vigilance and responsibility should filter through every level of an organisation.
Why you should listen: how to unpack your leadership philosophy
How servant leadership safeguards the integrity of an organisation
We explore the leadership responsibility of being open to feedback
Are you protecting yourself or the organisation with your leadership decisions?
The people stuff of speaking up and accepting accountability
Understanding how leadership feedback can feel threatening
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About Gordon Graham:
Author of The Intrepid Brotherhood, Gordon Graham, unpack some leadership principles for speaking up.
Gordon Graham is a former information technology professional with over 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry. During his career, he was recognised by peers and industry trade associations as an authority on information technology management issues and was a sought-after speaker on information technology strategy and aligning technology with business.
In addition to his decades-long career, Gordon earned an AAS degree in computer science from Columbia Basin College, a BA in public administration from the University of Puget Sound, and an MBA in information technology management from City University, along with numerous certifications in IT and project management. He has served as the information technology section chair for the Northwest Public Power Association and as both information technology section chair and vice chair of the Business and Finance Committee for the American Public Power Association.
Find out more about Graham and his book THE INTREPID BROTHERHOOD: Public Power, Corruption and Whistleblowing
Zoë’s book recommendation:
Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us
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About your host, Canberra leadership expert Zoë Routh:
Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical.
Zoë is the author of four books: Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact, Moments - Leadership when it matters most, Loyalty - Stop unwanted staff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates, and People Stuff - Beyond Personalities: An advanced handbook for leadership. People Stuff was awarded Book of the Year 2020 by the Smart WFM Australian Business Book Awards.
Zoë is also the producer of The Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast.