Based on 20+ years of experience, Dye has come to understand that business today demands ever-escalating levels of innovation, productivity, service, and results. Leaders at all levels lament the lack of time for their own work, and recognize the need for greater influence with those whom they lead. They know that engagement and ownership on the part of their teams is no longer a nice-to-have but an essential ingredient to success.
Dye believes by simply changing the conversation, leaders can change team dynamics, the culture, and ultimately results. His new book outlines the seven critical messages that teams need to hear (and see) from their leaders to make this happen:
- You can
- Try it!
- I believe
- How can I help?
- I’m sorry
- That will not happen here
- Nice!
I caught up with David to discuss his book and his leadership point of view.
Q: There are lots of leadership books out there, but you've approached the topic very differently. How did you come upon the idea of “things your team needs to hear you say” as a structure for your message and book?
A: I focused on what leaders say because words are an easily modified behavior, because words work, and because what we say is often the start of further behavior change. Above all, I want the tools I share to be practical—something you can read during lunch and apply as soon as you return to your team.
Q: Who's had the greatest impact on you as a leader?
A: I’ve been fortunate to have many leadership mentors, but one of the most influential was Gary Pratt. He was my Scoutmaster when I was 11 years old, and he taught me to say thank you, to delegate and share power, to put people before projects, and to have fun.
Q: Which of the individuals and stories you share in the book touched your heart most profoundly? Why?
A: I share a story about a time my daughter asked why nothing she does is good enough. It is difficult to share, even now, how impactful that was. It goes back to why I focus on what leaders say: our words have incredible power—either to create or devastate.
Q: If you had to net your message out on a billboard, bumper sticker, or 140-character tweet, what would it say?
A: Everyone’s a volunteer. Lead to bring out the best, not to wring out the worst. Be the leader you want your boss to be.
Q: What's the first thing you hope your readers do after finishing your book?
A: I hope the first thing readers do is tell themselves, “You can do this!” The second thing would be to pick a phrase and share it with their team.
