Leadership Conversations with Cody Vasquez

The podcast discusses the concept of practicing objectivity in leadership. Objectivity means seeing things as they truly are, without the influence of emotions or biases. It is important for leaders to detach themselves from their emotions and make objective decisions. However, maintaining authenticity and empathy is also crucial. Objectivity allows for rational decision-making, approaching challenges with a calm mindset, and resolving conflicts effectively. It inspires trust and confidence in others and leads to personal growth and fulfillment. Objectivity is a practical skill that helps leaders overcome obstacles and thrive in adversity. The podcast asks for specific examples of using objectivity in daily life. Hi everyone. Welcome to the Leadership Conversations with Cody Vazquez. Welcome to my podcast where we explore the transformative wisdom presented in Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle is the Way. Today we're delving into the concept of practicing objectivity. Objectivity is not just a psychological idea, but a practical tool for navigating life's challenges with clarity and resilience. So let's start by understanding what objectivity means. It's about seeing things as they truly are, free from the distortions of emotion or bias. In essence, it's about seeing reality with clear eyes and a rational mind. This teaches us to embrace reality as it is, rather than as we perceive it to be. Our perceptions are the problem, quote unquote, in a lot of cases. So this means accepting the obstacles in our path, facing them head on without denial. Central to the practice of objectivity is the ability to detach ourselves from our emotions. Instead of being swept away by fear or anger, we observe our feelings with calmness and composure. So after reading this chapter and learning a little bit more, it's easy to recognize the challenges that come with practicing objectivity in leadership. And that was one of the first thoughts I had after I finished reading it up. Leaders, like everyone else, can be influenced by cognitive biases and other factors when making judgments. In many situations, making completely objective decisions may be difficult due to limited information. So while striving for objectivity is important, I know most people, including myself, also think it's crucial to maintain that authenticity and empathy within teams. Leaders who focus solely on objectivity may also struggle to connect with team members on an emotional level, which can hinder the collaboration and trust. However, despite these challenges, the chapter really does have a great message of developing and honing in on that skill of objectivity and that it's vital for leaders. So being aware of their biases and actively working to overcome them, leaders can make objective decisions and still create a culture of fairness and transparency within the organization. Objectivity also involves focusing our attention on what we can control rather than what we cannot control. So the main question I wanted to ask is how do we apply these principles of objectivity in our daily lives, professional careers, schooling, and more? So I wanted to highlight a couple of different examples that I could think of, and one of them is definitely decision-making. So cultivating a rational and clear-headed approach to decision-making can assess situations more objectively, weighing the pros and cons logically rather than being swayed by emotions or biases. This can lead to more informed and effective decisions in your personal life, ultimately driving better outcomes. Another one is that it enables you to approach challenges and obstacles with a calm and rational mindset, like mentioned before, instead of becoming overwhelmed or discouraged. You can break down complex problems into manageable tasks and devise strategic solutions. This ability to tackle obstacles head-on can set you apart as a proactive and resourceful professional. Another good example is conflict resolution. In professional settings, conflicts and disagreements are inevitable. However, practicing objectivity allows us to navigate these situations with tact. By removing impartial and focused on finding mutual beneficial solutions, you can effectively resolve conflicts and maintain a positive working relationship with your colleagues or, for example, your classmates. Also, of course, with this being a leadership podcast, I wanted to always tie it back to leadership at face value. As you cultivate objectivity in your professional and personal life, you naturally inspire confidence and trust in others. Your ability to remain calm and composed under pressure, to make reasonable decisions, and to approach challenges with that determination, you can basically make yourself as a respective leader and a mentor within your respective areas. Ultimately, practicing objectivity is not just achieving a professional success, but also for your own personal growth. By developing the capacity to see things as they truly are and respond to them with wisdom and clarity, you are cultivating a sense of fulfillment and purpose in your career, leading to a greater satisfaction of fulfillment overall. Informative leadership involves, in general, of course, the inspiring and empowering of individuals like ourselves to achieve that full potential and often fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation. Objectivity plays a crucial role in this process by helping leaders like us make informed decisions, resolve those conflicts, and create a supportive environment for growth and development. So, in conclusion, practicing objectivity is not just that psychological concept, but a practical skill that empowers us to overcome those obstacles and thrive in the face of adversity. One last question I would like to ask everyone and have a chance to hear from you all is, based on the examples I gave you using objectivity in your daily lives, I wanted to know of any specific examples that come to mind. They can highlight the examples mentioned, like the conflict resolution, leadership, personal growth, decision making, etc., whichever one best fits for you. But I'm excited to kind of see your feedback. And lastly, of course, thank you for joining me today. Until next time, stay objective and keep moving forward. Thank you.