5 Lessons to Make You a Great Leader | Knowledge Project Podcast 160 (Audio)

Ethical Leadership

Kat Cole, the president and COO of Athletic Greens, shares insights on the delicate balance between doing right and being right in leadership. She recounts a situation where cultural misunderstandings in Argentina led to significant criticism, prompting her to prioritize the needs of customers and employees over corporate directives 1. Cole emphasizes the importance of assuming criticism is valid, allowing leaders to address issues constructively.

Anytime you are criticized, assume first it's correct. Just allow yourself to digest that and then respond.

--- Kat Cole

This approach fosters a culture of openness and improvement, crucial for effective leadership 2.

   

Mistake Management

Managing mistakes is a critical aspect of leadership, as illustrated by Kat Cole's experience with corporate pushback after making autonomous decisions. Despite facing criticism from the head of supply chain, Cole leaned on supportive colleagues to navigate the challenges, highlighting the importance of allies in leadership 3. Her journey underscores the necessity of learning from mistakes and fostering a culture of accountability.

Having those human-centered executives can really keep top employees kind of in the game despite the fact that they're causing friction.

--- Kat Cole

Alan Mulally adds that leadership involves aligning behaviors with organizational goals, a principle he applies both professionally and personally 4.