HCI Webinar Recap: Evolving Your Team So That It Doesn't Need a "Tie-Breaker", with Cameron Herold

In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Cameron Herold about evolving your team so that it doesn't need a "tie-breaker". Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!

Watch the episode here:

Quick recap

Jonathan and Cameron Harold discussed the importance of focusing on personal passions and hobbies, investing in people, and developing a positive company culture. They emphasized the need for leaders to consistently prioritize their employees, create a strong company culture, and foster healthy debate within organizations. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the importance of mature leadership and the need for leaders to surround themselves with diverse perspectives.

CEO Whisperer's Passion Over Professionalism

Jonathan interviews Cameron Harold, founder of the COO Alliance and known as the "CEO Whisperer." Cameron emphasizes the importance of focusing on personal passions and hobbies rather than professional achievements. He shares an anecdote about speaking in Antarctica, which completed his goal of speaking on all seven continents. Cameron highlights the unique experience of hosting a silent disco and giving a talk to CEOs while there, emphasizing that these experiences matter more to him than professional accolades.

Focusing on Employee Well-Being for Success

Cameron and Jonathan discuss the importance of leaders focusing on their employees' personal lives and well-being. They agree that when leaders genuinely care about their employees' dreams, goals, and fears, it leads to better company performance. Cameron emphasizes that while many leaders claim to value their people, few actually demonstrate this in practice. He suggests that by prioritizing employee happiness and personal growth, companies can become truly exceptional workplaces. Cameron concludes by reframing the CEO role as a "Chief Energizing Officer," highlighting the importance of infusing positive energy into the organization.

Investing in People and Culture

Jonathan and Cameron discuss the importance of investing in people and developing a positive company culture. They agree that leaders must consistently prioritize their employees despite daily challenges. Cameron emphasizes the need for leaders to develop "unconscious competence" in caring for people, which becomes a natural part of their behavior. He shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the impact of small actions and the importance of continuous learning. They conclude that creating a strong company culture is a deliberate decision, requiring vision and commitment from leadership to transform an average workplace into a best place to work.

Creating Fun and Welcoming Environments

Cameron and Jonathan discuss memorable teachers from their past who created fun and welcoming classroom environments. They emphasize that these teachers' approaches, such as telling jokes or being approachable, are not superhuman traits but choices anyone can make to improve workplace dynamics. The conversation then shifts to the concept of a "tiebreaker" in decision-making. Cameron disagrees with the idea presented in Gino Wickman's book "Traction" that the COO should be the tiebreaker, comparing it to parents making decisions simply because "it's my house," which he finds insufficient as a reason.

Fostering Healthy Debate in Organizations

Cameron emphasizes the importance of fostering healthy debate within organizations, rather than relying on a tiebreaker system. He suggests that leaders should create an environment where team members can express their views, listen to others, and collectively make decisions based on the company's core values and goals. Cameron contrasts this approach with the polarized political climate in North America, highlighting the benefits of constructive disagreement. Jonathan agrees, noting that while this process may take more time initially, it leads to greater buy-in and commitment from team members in the long run.

Healthy Debate in Organizations

Jonathan and Cameron discuss the importance of mature leadership and healthy debate in organizations. They agree that good leaders welcome input, feedback, and challenges from their team, as it leads to better thinking and solutions. In contrast, insecure leaders who surround themselves with yes-people produce worse outcomes. Cameron emphasizes that high-performing employees desire an environment with meaningful discourse and data-driven arguments, comparing it to athletes working together to win championships rather than competing against each other.

Listen to the webinar here: