logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
30m 50s

315: Be a Better Leader By Embracing Rad...

MAMIE KANFER STEWART
About this episode

As a manager, you are entrusted to lead and manage your team, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get things right.


When you have power and authority, it can be challenging to own your shortfalls and mistakes. After all, you are someone that your team members look up to. But our guest thinks otherwise.


He believes that showing up with radical humility builds trust, fosters connection, and creates a psychologically safe environment. So, how do you practice humility as a leader?


Today’s guest is Urs Koenig, a former United Nations military peacekeeper and NATO military peacekeeping commander. He is a highly accomplished ultra-endurance champion, a widely published professor, and a seasoned executive coach and keynote speaker with more than three decades of experience helping hundreds of leaders and dozens of executive teams unlock new levels of achievement across four continents. He is the founder of the Radical Humility Leadership Institute and speaks frequently on the topic of leadership to corporations and associations across the globe. 


Urs and I talk about the importance of humility in leadership, emphasizing self-awareness, relational leadership, and a growth mindset.


He also explains the need for modern leadership to depart from the traditional command-and-control model in favor of one that empowers team members and builds trust. 


Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+members, Urs breaks down the five mental shifts that every leader must make and how to lead like a compass.


Join the conversation now!


Get FREE mini-episode guides with the big idea from the week’s episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.

Conversation Topics

  • (00:00) Intro
  • (02:03) What is radical humility, and why is it important?
  • (04:35) Leadership practices that were working before but not anymore
  • (06:55) How to encourage honest feedback from your team
  • (09:05) Mastering self-awareness to become a better leader
  • (12:27) The Ted Lasso technique explained
  • (18:38) The quickest way to build trust with your team
  • (23:17) The importance of building psychological safety and nurturing a fearless culture
  • (27:34) A great manager Urs has worked for
  • (28:44) Keep up with Urs
  • (29:05) [Extended Episode Only] 5 mental shifts that every leader must make
  • (29:58) [Extended Episode Only] How to lead like a compass
  • (37:12) [Extended Episode Only] A great example of when leaders lead with radical humility


Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Build your team’s skills here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here


Keep up with Urs Koenig


- Grab a copy of Urs book here

- Follow Urs on LinkedIn here

- Check his website for more information here


FREE  Radical Humility NOW Leadership Prompts


Urs is providing members of Podcast+ a PDF of the Radical Humility NOW Leadership NOW Prompts. These are exercises from the book that can help you apply Radical Humility in your leadership and life. 


To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

---------------------


The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.


Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won’t miss


Up next
Oct 7
378: How to Lead Projects and People without Chaos and Burnout with James Louttit
Why do so many projects spiral into stress, shifting priorities, and endless risks while others seem to flow smoothly toward success? What if the difference isn’t just about tools or methods, but about how you lead?Thankfully, today’s guest brings a fresh, human-centered approach ... Show More
33m 29s
Sep 30
377: Unlock 24 Hidden Strengths to Transform Your Leadership & Work with Natalya Pestalozzi
What if your greatest strengths aren’t the ones listed on your résumé, but universal traits we all share? Positive psychology shows us that tapping into these character strengths can transform how we work, lead, and connect with others. These aren’t just feel-good ideas; they’re ... Show More
33m 2s
Sep 23
376: How To Delegate And Unlock Growth With Chris Ronzio
Why do so many managers struggle to let go of tasks, even when they know that holding onto everything stifles their ability to scale? The secret is to document things so clearly that others can succeed without you.Fortunately, today’s guest is an expert at helping leaders let go. ... Show More
30m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
707: The Beliefs of Inspirational Leaders, with Stephen M. R. Covey
Stephen M. R. Covey: Trust & Inspire Stephen M. R. Covey is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and former CEO of Covey Leadership Center. He led the strategy that propelled his father’s book, Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, ... Show More
39m 19s
Jan 2025
359: Traditional Leadership Is Failing and How High-Performing X Teams Innovate and Excel
🔥 What used to work in leadership doesn’t anymore. Learn what kind of leadership communication actually yields innovative results and growth.As a high-performing leader, you’re constantly juggling responsibilities while navigating rapid change. But what if the key to staying ahe ... Show More
28m 15s
Jun 2025
What makes a great leader?
What makes a great leader in today’s world of AI, remote work, and generational change? In this episode of the Lasting Impressions Podcast, Maya sits down with leadership coach Omar Ismail to unpack the real challenges and transformative skills leaders must master in 2025. From e ... Show More
1h 3m
Apr 2025
#234: Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors – Seek the truth
Ever made a decision based on limited info, internal spin, or wishful thinking? You’re not alone—but there’s a better way. In this episode, David sits down with General Motors Chair and CEO, Mary Barra. She shares how a relentless commitment to the truth leads to better decisions ... Show More
50m 36s
Dec 2024
166-The Leadership Crisis CEOs Don’t See Coming with Dave Ulrich
Are you leading a business in uncertain times and seeking ways to harness human capability to drive value for all stakeholders? In this thought-provoking episode of The World Class Leader Show, Andrea Petrone sits down with Dave Ulrich, a world-renowned HR and leadership expert, ... Show More
45m 17s
Jul 7
3 More Questions (Jimmy Kirchdorfer) with David Novak and Koula Callahan
On this episode of 3 More Questions, you'll hear David Novak's answers to: How do YOU think about mission statements? What are some practical ways a leader can drive the concept of "psychological safety" throughout their organization? What’s your perspective on encouraging emergi ... Show More
11m 16s
Jun 2024
How to Become a Great Leader with David Novak
Unlock the Secrets of Leadership Mastery with Ed Mylett and David Novak! Leadership isn't just a role; it's a journey of constant learning and adaptation. This week, I'm excited to host David Novak, the legendary co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, on a deep dive into the d ... Show More
1h 5m
Aug 19
Why Fearless Leaders Outperform w/ Brendan Keegan
Why does fearless leadership matter more than ever? In this podcast, entrepreneur and author Brendan P. Keegan unpacks what it means to be a fearless leader and how to create environments that support high performance. With over 25 years as a CEO and now on a mission to build one ... Show More
17m 47s
Aug 2024
From “Gardener” to “Goat”: 5 Leadership Lessons to Take Your Business to The Next Level
Ralph and Lauren dive into the critical role of leadership in business success, sharing their experiences from the Elite Leadership Summit in Park City, Utah. From the adrenaline of mountain biking mishaps to the insightful strategies discussed at the conference, they explore the ... Show More
49m 3s
Jul 2023
What the Best Leaders Do Differently with Scott J. Miller
Episode #254 // We’re approached all the time to interview other thought leaders on this podcast. However, since No Bullsh!t Leadership is predominantly a solo cast, we reluctantly decline 99% of these requests. But one email popped into our Inbox a few months ago, and we couldn’ ... Show More
48m 11s