#56 | Leadership Tips With Brandon Smith

As “The Workplace Therapist”, Brandon Smith wants every workplace to be more productive and less anxiety-ridden. On this week’s episode Brandon joined the CWK community for ‘Workplace Happiness 101’. He taught on how to eliminate workplace dysfunction, take control of your workplace happiness, and be the best leader you can!

The 3 Parts To Workplace Happiness (08:55)

Because we spend the majority of our time at work it’s important to have a job that makes you happy. Brandon boils workplace happiness down to 3 parts – the right job, the right culture, and the right boss (which is most important). 

“The key to knowing if a job and boss are right for you is asking the right questions. In your next interview ask ‘Tell me about your favorite rock star team member?’ and ‘Tell me about the last time someone wasn’t a good fit for your team?’ If you’re ok with living up to their expectations it’ll be a good fit, if not, keep looking.”

How To Be A Respected Leader (11:55)

In my 10 years of being a business owner, I’ve learned that as a leader you’re not always going to be liked. I was curious to get Brandon’s take on how to keep a positive rapport while balancing the hard decisions as a leader. He shared it’s most important to make your intentions clear. Though employees may not like your decision or your delivery, they are more likely to respect it knowing you have their best interest at heart.

Hot Sauce and Urgency (18:10)

As work goes “back to normal” it seems the sense of urgency to get things done has gone from zero to a hundred! Brandon’s “hot sauce principle” shared in his new book, ‘The Hot Sauce Principle: How to Live and Lead in a World Where Everything is Urgent All the Time’, is just the solution we need. 

“Hot sauce is great for adding focus and flavor to a meal but if everything from the salad to the dessert had hot sauce on it the food wouldn’t be enjoyable. In life you have to manage how much urgency, or “hot sauce”, you’re allowing to be put on your plate and how much you’re putting on other’s plates.”

If you’re in a position where you have a ‘hot sauce culprit’ on your hands who pushes their urgent agenda on you, Brandon says set boundaries by explaining you don’t have the resources to meet their request.

“Use client management techniques in your relationships. You wouldn’t want to tell your client ‘no’, but you can explain that the request is outside of the scope of work promised. Allow them to help you reprioritize their requests or get you more resources.”

The Worst Kind Of Leader To Work With (23:56)

As we discussed in detail the best and worst kinds of leaders, Brandon shared a common thread he sees across the board with the latter – unclear or constantly changing priorities. 

“In a survey I conducted, inconsistency was the most voted in describing the worst kind of leader to work with. That’s because you can’t manage inconsistency.”

He explained the way to beat the inconsistency is by driving clarity. “Be as clear as you can by sending them in writing a synopsis of the conversation and what you plan to do, so if there was any miscommunication it can be corrected early on.”

I could see this technique working for every and any relationship!

Operational and Relational Values (34:29)

Clarity in business expectations should also include your company’s values. 

Here’s Brandon’s company value breakdown:

• Values should be “sticky” – memorable & sharable.

• All companies should have operational values for quality, speed, accuracy, and safety, and relational values for care, empathy, and listening. 

• Teams or departments should create their own set values but be sure they share the same DNA as the overall company.

• Values should be words or phrases that are important to you because you’ll have to teach it and stand behind it always.

• Values are the lens through which you see the world. Just as your eyesight and the world around you changes making you have to adjust, so should your values.

Coach vs Mentor (40:00)

One of my favorite questions to ask CWK guests is if they have coaches or mentors. So far I’ve been met with a resounding ‘Yes!’, and Brandon answered the same. He also broke down the difference between coaches and mentors and how we could use them to our advantage. 

“A relationship with a coach is usually formal, for a set period of time, and under the constraints of a contract or program. A relationship with a mentor is usually informal, develops over years, covers topics beyond work, and led by the mentee.”

*Pro tip: Download my free giveaway ‘5 Ways to Supercharge Your LinkedIn’ for a top notch LinkedIn profile so your coach or mentor is equally as impressed with you as you are with them!

Speed Round (44:50)

• What is something you have started using or doing lately that you love? Joining OrangeTheory Fitness
• What is the next thing you are hoping to learn? Getting better at meditation
• What are your favorite social media accounts to follow? Malcolm Gladwell
• Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what are your favorites? I don’t listen to many other podcasts regularly because I want to stay true to my style, but I do ask for suggestions on how to make mine better from my team members who listen to a variety of shows.
• What is your golden rule for leadership? Have clear expectations and use one-on-ones with employees as coaching opportunities

Homework: From now on, never send an email on the weekends!

Next Week

Do you have a regular practice for updating your resume? I’m hosting a mini-training on resume building next week just in case you’re needing a refresher! After talking with Brandon about bad bosses and Selena about advocating for yourself I thought now would be a great time to dust off those resumes and make sure they’re in tip top shape in case an opportunity shows up unexpectedly! Invite a friend or two I promise it’ll be fun.

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