Connecting to Admired Leadership

Leaders Engage and Encourage Deep Reflection

Episode Summary

A conversation with Katie Angstadt, Partner and Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership, exploring the power of reflection and dialogue in leadership. Katie shares insights on how the most effective leaders intentionally create space for deep reflection, both individually and with their teams, moving beyond the typical organizational patterns to foster greater understanding, connection, and performance.

Episode Notes

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Key Highlights

• Moving beyond typical reflection patterns: - Most organizations limit reflection to annual planning, quarterly reviews, or post-mortems - The best leaders integrate reflection into regular routines and meeting cadences - Shifting from "fast and forward" to intentional slowing down
• Creating meaningful dialogue: - Reserve dedicated time (45+ minutes) for inquiry-based discussions - Focus on understanding rather than immediate action or solutions - Create psychological safety for all voices to be heard - Use provocative questions that encourage deep thinking
• Implementation strategies: - Set clear expectations before introducing new reflection practices - Provide pre-work and thoughtful questions to prepare participants - Establish ground rules to prevent premature jumping to solutions - Model reflection in your own leadership first
• Benefits of regular reflection: - Stronger team connection and understanding of diverse perspectives - Team members feel seen and valued when their voices are heard - Symbolic importance shows what the leader truly values - Better decision-making through deeper understanding

Notable Quotes

• "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast."
• "The quality of the reflection is directly correlated to the quality of the questions that you're asking."
• "The wisdom of anything is in the review or the wisdom is in the reflection."
• "Questions can often carry feedback."
• "It's super hard to slow down to go fast, but the payoff's worth it."

Featured Speaker

Katie Angstadt is a Partner and Executive Coach at CRA | Admired Leadership. She specializes in helping leaders and teams develop more effective communication and collaboration practices. Katie is known for her ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue and create spaces where teams can engage in productive reflection that leads to better outcomes.

Resources Mentioned

• "It's Not About the Nail" video - illustrating the importance of listening before problem-solving
• Field Note: "Asking a Crafty Question Upward Can Carry an Indirect Message"
• Upcoming events in Philadelphia, Miami, and New York in April