📣 My New Book, 👂 19 Words to Better Feedback, and 🏆 How Champions Behave
PROGRESSION: February 2024
For well over a year I've been heads down writing my second book, The Unconquerable Leader: Mastering the Internal and External Game. The time has come to share more about it.
It’s clear that leading in today’s dynamic, ever-changing environment is harder than ever. Most of our energy goes into developing practical leadership skills, what I call the external game.
But my work leading HR at DoorDash and coaching top executives has taught me that the bigger challenge is overcoming what’s going on inside you—self doubt, fear, anxiety, ego, etc. I call this the internal game. In The Unconquerable Leader, I share how to master both the internal and external game.
I may be biased, but I think the book is excellent and will have a big impact on all who read it. The book launches May 21 and I want to do everything I can to help it reach a wide audience. To that end, I’d like to ask for your help:
Would you be interested in joining the launch team? Let me know and I can tell you more!
How might I make this launch successful (podcasts I could join, people I could talk to, etc.)?
Here’s what Liz Wiseman, NYT-bestselling author of Multipliers, has to say about the book:
“The Unconquerable Leader is an essential read for those wanting to lead effectively and live intentionally. Tanner masterfully combines compelling stories with his battle-tested wisdom and practical tools to give you a blueprint for leadership excellence. As you read this book, you'll understand why Tanner is such a sought-after coach and advisor.”
Thanks in advance for your support. I’m really excited to share this book with the world.
Books, Articles, etc.
Elite Minds: How Winners Think Differently to Create a Competitive Edge and Maximize Success by Stan Beecham (Book)
This is an excellent book on how to build a winning mindset. Here are my three favorite quotes:
“The fact of the matter is that people who have a strong desire to win, to be the best at what they do, are more likely to reach their full potential than someone who says, “I don’t care if I win or lose, I just want to get better.”
“The worst advice you can give someone who is trying to be successful is to be careful. It decreases creativity and risk taking and deters performance.”
“Each of us holds beliefs about what we do well and what we don’t do well. The fact of the matter is you cannot separate the belief from the ability because they are connected. The primary reason you don’t do something well is because you believe it is difficult, impossible, or not very enjoyable.”
These 19 Words Will Make People More Receptive to Your Feedback by Adam Grant (Post)
In this post, Adam Grant share’s 19 words to make people want to listen and act on your feedback:
“I’m giving you these comments because I have very high expectations and I’m confident you can reach them.”
People are more open to constructive criticism when it’s clear that you believe in their potential and care about their growth.
Observations
Champions Behave Like Champions Before They’re Champions
I think about this Bill Walsh quote all the time: “Champions behave like champions before they’re champions.”
Bill Walsh took over as head coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. The year before he got there, the team finished with a dismal 2-14 record. He immediately implemented his Standard of Performance—a series of rules and guidelines for how the entire 49ers organization would operate. Three years later, they won the Super Bowl.
“Winners act like winners before they’re winners…The culture precedes positive results. It doesn’t get tacked on as an afterthought on your way to the victory stand. Champions behave like champions before they’re champions.”
When you focus on the right inputs, and do so consistently, the results will eventually follow. Be patient. Trust the process. The score will take care of itself.
For the full post, click here.
When It Comes to Growth, Don’t Ignore the “Who”
When we think about our personal growth, we often think about the what, why, and how. But too often we ignore the who.
Look at the people surrounding you. Do they lift you up? Do they encourage you? Do they want to make you better?
Or do they hold you back? Do they resent the person you’re trying to be?
It’s been said that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If someone is a net negative in your life, either severely limit or completely eliminate your interactions with them. You don’t have room for toxic people.
This isn’t running away from those who need your help. This is avoiding people who don’t want you to progress.
Gratitudes
I’ve found power in regularly expressing gratitude so I’ll continue the habit. I’m grateful for coaching youth sports. Many years back, I set a goal to coach each of my kid’s sports teams at least once. I did baseball for my two oldest, soccer for my third, and I recently volunteered to coach soccer for my youngest who just turned 5.
Candidly, it’s been a blast. We’ve had two games so far and I love seeing them progress. My seven year old is our assistant coach and helps run practices. We all have fun together. I’m grateful I get to coach them.
If you've read anything worth sharing I'd love to hear about it. And do let me know if there's anything I can do to help you.
Nathan
Learn about coaching | Read my blog
If this was forwarded to you and you'd like to sign up, click here