Introduction

You need to make a decision, but don’t want to make a mistake for decades, Dr. Constance Derek has helped leaders make wise decisions. Now she’s sharing how to see what others don’t and make great decisions when it matters most. So come on in and have a seat. It’s time for your appointment with The Decision Doctor. 

Constance Dierickx

Welcome to the Decision Doctor podcast. This episode is a departure from the previous episodes. In it, I look back and connect some dots that became apparent to me as I thought about the conversations in the first 12 episodes. The best part of hosting a podcast is, and this will be no surprise to you, the guests. The Decision Doctor podcast is now a year old and as I look back at the conversations with 13 guests, I am aware of a distinct characteristic they have in common. They are all synthesizers. 

In my 26 years of advising CEOs and boards, I have observed that successful people, those who are successful professionally as well as personally, share this attribute. As it began to dawn on me that the people I wanted to speak with, the people I admire, and the people who had so much to offer the intelligent listener, I realized they were multi-dimensional, curious, action-oriented and pragmatic. 

Just recently I stumbled on this quote that captures the idea perfectly. And I wasn’t aware of it, but this is exactly what drove me to select the guest that I chose. Here’s the quote. “A lot of people in our industry haven’t had very diverse experiences, so they don’t have enough dots to connect. And they end up with linear solutions. Without a broad perspective on the problem, the broader one’s understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have.” That quote is attributed to Steve Jobs. 

The guests on The Decision Doctor podcast are not only dot connectors, they keep adding dots, and they reorganize how they’re connected to each other. They are human kaleidoscopes. They create new ways of seeing, and new ways of thinking continuously. 

You might say they’re easily bored, and that could be true. But they share an important quality that prevents them from being super smart people who never achieve a darn thing. What is that? It’s pragmatism. 

As you listen to the episodes that pique your curiosity, you will listen to accomplished people who each achieve in a way that suits their interests. For example, Dorie Clark, who was my very first guest, has helped thousands of people improve their communication skills and brands and grow their businesses. Whether they work at Google, or run a small or solo firm. Something that Dorie does exquisitely well is connecting. 

And because Dorie’s such a good connector, I now know Ayse Birsel, a well known designer of things from office furniture, to Toto toilets. Ayse teaches her process of designing in a book that turned my thinking. “Design the Life You Love” is the only book that offers a series of exercises. Ok, that I actually did use. When I have a book that says do this, do that, make this list… I just roll my eyes and move on. You might do the same. Not with this book. 

Danny Iny, Founder and CEO of Mirazy, based in Montreal, Canada is fluent in Aristotle as well as business growth. His knowledge about human behavior surprised me, but it probably shouldn’t have. 

Morag Barrett and I had a lively conversation about her work and path from the UK to the US. She takes the well known idea of having a friend at work, and she deepens our understanding of it. She describes allyship in a way that shows us why it’s so essential, but also, shows us how to do it. 

Michael Bungay Stanier or MBS, is best known for his writing and teaching on coaching. His book “The Coaching Habit” is essential for any human responsible for the performance of any other human. I love his advice to stay curious. A little longer. It’s something we should all keep in our minds, if not, well, metaphorically tattooed on our foreheads. 

Ryan Turner is a partner in a multi brand restaurant company and co-founder of one of my very favorite not-for-profits, the Giving Kitchen. Ryan’s knowledge and perspective on food service workers is both deep and soulful. But make no mistake, the lessons from his life as a restaurant entrepreneur are very easy to transport to any business. 

One episode where I speak with Christian Hunt and Ben Cattaneo is the only episode where I had two guests, and the payoff was huge. Our discussion was rapid fire, but also it was a deep dive into the human side of decision making and risk. Christian and Ben each have a more profound knowledge of human behavior than many people who claim it. But make no mistake, the knowledge isn’t merely academic. It bears fruit of uncommon value. 

And speaking of decisions, two guests, Nikki Blacksmith and Jackie O’Dowd spend their professional time helping leaders make crucial decisions. Nikki, a psychologist, (the only psychologist I’ve had on, other than myself) helps private investors make the critical decisions about who will lead. 

Jackie’s firm, based in Perth, Australia, uses big data in a visual form that helps leaders see what was previously obscured in spreadsheets and graphs. 

An executive in medical devices I’ve known for years, Rob Hanson deviates from the predictable in search of better outcomes. I know that’s a very conceptual thing to say, but it happens to be true. His hiring practices are a sharp departure from the ordinary, to excellent effect. 

I was thrilled to have Mark Levy join me on an episode because he’s such a hoot. Mark is so well read, there’s scarcely a topic he can’t discuss. He’s funny, kind and expert at helping people uncover what the heck their message actually is. Have you ever wondered where this idea of “your why” came from? It came from Mark’s work with Simon Sinek. 

After Mark gets our head straight about what we’re trying to say, Peter Sandeen helps us cut through the typical best practices, (imagine air quotes there) used in many marketing efforts. Peter calls this marketing essentialism and it is the perfect name for what he does. He cuts through the clutter like a hot knife through butter. 

As we wrap up this year of podcasts, I wish to express sincere thanks to my guests for sharing their expertise and insights. And thank you to the listeners for being curious enough to join me. 

Outro

The Decision Doctor will be back with more advice soon. Hit the follow button on your favorite podcast app and check out thedecisiondoctor.com to receive the Meta leadership self-assessment and other no cost resources. We’ll see you next time. 

This has been a production of Twin Flame Studios.