Mike Goldman is a Leadership coach, author, and speaker with 35 years of experience. He focuses on helping leadership teams become breakthrough teams by improving their dynamics and performance.
Polarization in Society
- Modern politics is highly polarized, with people focused on winning arguments instead of finding the right or best answer.
- Social media creates echo chambers, making it easy for people to avoid engaging with opposing views.
- Strong opinions and a lack of curiosity lead to unproductive conversations, especially in the political sphere.
Curiosity and Leadership
- Intellectual curiosity is a crucial trait for effective leadership.
- Great leaders are curious about their team’s ideas, the marketplace, and new possibilities.
- In politics and business, asking genuine, curious questions is far more effective than simply pushing an agenda.
Conflict Resolution in Teams
- Communication techniques alone won’t resolve conflicts if team members harbor negative assumptions about each other.
- Successful conflict resolution starts with believing in the positive intent of the other person, which fosters productive dialogue.
- Genuine curiosity can help leaders bridge disagreements by seeking to understand what the other person knows or sees differently.
Family Dynamics and Personal Growth
- Mike’s Personal story: Learning to approach his son, who has Asperger’s syndrome, with empathy and understanding rather than frustration.
- Recognizing his son’s challenges and operating with positive intent changed their relationship dramatically.
- Applying the same principles of curiosity and positive intent in both family and professional life, emphasizing the transformative power of empathy.
Aging and Reflection
- Viewing aging as an opportunity for continued growth and development rather than decline.
- Constantly having goals and looking forward to the future helps maintain a positive outlook.
- A lack of purpose can lead to a rapid decline, emphasizing the importance of staying engaged and useful.
Perspective on Death and Grief
- Dealing with death pragmatically, focusing more on living fully than fearing the end.
- Meaningful reflection and maintaining purpose helps manage grief and maintain emotional well-being.
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