Edition #2

I spent most of December in Seattle with Asya (my wife) and our two golden retriever pups. We took a road trip to spend time with family and friends for Christmas.

I was quickly reminded why I moved away from Washington State. It was rainy and grey almost every day we were there. Can you say depressing?

While the weather was crap, I have to admit that there isn’t a more beautiful state in the US. It is stunning, from the gorgeous lakes and mountains to the lush vegetation. I highly recommend taking a trip to the Pacific Northwest if you haven’t been before. You will be blown away. But maybe don’t move there unless you love grey skies nine months of the year.

While there, I spent time thinking about this newsletter, my podcast, and all the ways I want to grow creatively in 2024. I have never made New Year resolutions, but I do like to think about the upcoming year and my goals.

In 2024, I aim to go all in on Video/YouTube. I haven't made this a priority yet, and I could give you lots of excuses, but the truth is that I’m simply a little nervous/scared.

Consequently, I am a big believer in listening to the thoughts of the people in your circle. When I talk with friends, peers, and family, I constantly get the same question “Austin, when are you going to do video?”

In 2024, I am ready to start making video a bigger part of my work. That means recording podcast episodes with video, regularly creating short, valuable career/leadership content, and using video to help as many folks as possible become the best version of themselves.

Is there something you are scared to do? Is there something you know you need to do but haven’t? This year is the time to take the plunge, get uncomfortable, and make a bigger impact.

What are you going all in on in 2024?

Book Club

I have been a leader for over a decade. As many do, I fell into leadership but quickly discovered I was passionate about helping folks become the best version of themselves.

I am always searching for leadership content to help me better lead people.  

I came across a book called Multipliers: How The Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman & Greg McKeown. Initially, the title caught my eye because the term multiplier was something I hadn’t heard in the context of leadership.

The book starts by explaining that a multiplier is a leader who amplifies the intelligence and impact of their team.

A multiplier creates a culture that extracts the best results from the team. Working for this leader makes their team smarter and produces more value.

On the flip side of the coin is a diminisher. A diminisher does the exact opposite of a multiplier. Instead of creating more value and intelligence around them, they stifle their team.

Multipliers are easy to spot. Many times, they are a talent magnet and optimizer. Everyone wants to work for a multiplier because they get better working for this kind of boss. After all, who wouldn’t want to get smarter and more effective by working with their leader?

Interestingly, multipliers are known for creating an intense but healthy culture in their teams. Folks report that working for a multiplier isn’t necessarily easy. If you are looking for a leader who will allow you to coast, you probably won’t enjoy working for a multiplier. The intensity results from the leader creating a culture where debate is encouraged, individual ownership is expected, and knowledge is constantly extracted from each teammate.

This no-free ride culture means everyone on the team is responsible and brings their “A” game.

The book also takes the opportunity to talk about accidental diminishers. Believe it or not, there are a ton of accidental diminishers in every company. Many leaders may not even know that their behavior is limiting their team.

The most common traits of a diminisher are micromanaging, lack of delegation, lack of self-awareness, and authoritarian leadership. I have seen these traits in different leaders I have worked with during my career. These leaders limit the light of those around them.

This book is an excellent read for anyone new to leadership or leaders looking to solve performance/culture issues within their team.

Podcast Episode Breakdown

Episode 23: Stop Gossiping

Recently, I dropped Episode 23 of the Introvert Leader Podcast. This one was all about gossiping. I was nervous to record and share this episode because of my past relationship with gossiping.

During the early part of my career, I wanted more than anything for people to like me. People pleasing was a daily routine, and gossiping was an easy way to get people interested in what I had to say.

I was never the type of person who actively put people down, but I definitely spent way more time than I would like to admit talking about others when they weren’t around.

Sometimes, I started the gossip; sometimes, I joined in when others were gossiping, but I was spending time talking about people.

My tendency to gossip wasn’t even on my radar for a while. It never caused any issues, I never heard any complaints, and people liked to be around me.

But as the saying goes, what is done in the dark always comes to light.

In 2016, I was about to start at a new department in my company. I was super nervous and wanted to make a great first impression.

I’ll never forget my first day. It goes down as one of the most embarrassing moments of my career.

I went around meeting all of my team. Things were going great, but then I met Alex.

Alex was a badass assistant manager from the east coast. For those of you who haven’t ever spent time on the East Coast, I’ll let you in on a well-known secret. East coasters can be very direct, blunt, and honest.

Being from the West Coast, I wasn’t prepared to work with someone from the East Coast.

Alex and I sat down to get acquainted. Within 30 seconds, Alex said something that I will never forget.

“I’ve heard about you, Austin. You really like to gossip, right?”

When I heard her utter those words, my face went red, and I immediately started nervously sweating (TMI).

I thought she might be kidding, but then she told me what she had heard.

We ended our conversation a few minutes later, and I went to the breakroom to lick my wounds, as they say.

There is nothing like getting called out for something you are guilty of.

I spent the next few weeks obsessing over this embarrassing situation. I kept replaying her words over and over again.

I hated that I had created this childish reputation. But I knew I could change it.

Over the following months, I made it my mission to stop gossiping.

It was freaking hard. I definitely made mistakes, but I always caught myself in the act.

I learned a ton from that experience, but two big things stand out.

1. Gossip isn’t healthy and can hurt your career.

2. You can change your reputation.

Maybe you participate in gossip; my advice is to stop immediately. Instead, lift people up or focus on creating real value.

Coffee

One of my favorite things to do is try new coffee spots. I grew up in Washington State, where the coffee scene is second to none. So, my love of quality coffee runs deep.

Recently, the wifey and I were doing some Christmas shopping at a mall in AZ when we came across this robotic coffee bar, an introvert’s dream. Also, I am a sucker for anything coffee and/or technology, so I gladly handed over my $6 to try what this magic machine had to offer.

After selecting my go-to drink (Americano), I waited for the machine to make my cup of coffee. At this point, my excitement and expectations couldn't be higher.

We waited patiently as the little arm whirled around, pressed buttons, and moved the cup into position.

But quickly, I realized that this "robot" was essentially just a few basic coffee machines attached to a robotic arm.

After about 4 minutes, the machine delivered my Americano. Excitedly, I took my first sip, hoping I just found my new coffee spot…

Instead, I tasted one of the worst Americanos I had ever had. Not only was it lukewarm, but it was also super sour. This is a classic sign of under-extraction. Under-extraction is when you haven't released enough coffee from the beans, so you only get the sour notes.

Long story short, I wouldn't waste your money on one of these robotic coffee bars. Save your money and find a local spot where an actual barista makes you your cup of joe.

Music

In 2005, I was riding in my buddy’s beat-up Nissan, and he turned on some music for our ride.

Over the speakers, I heard a weird sound I hadn’t heard yet. It was electronic, eerie, and yet upbeat at the same time. Instantly, I became curious about what this kind of sound was all about.

This was the first time I heard of Daft Punk. We listened to the rest of the Discovery album over the course of the day. In fact, we listened to it from start to end two times that day.

Each song seemed like it was better than the next. Whether it was the dance club sound of “One More Time” or the church bells in “Aerodynamic,” I was entranced by their peculiar sound.

While I loved all the songs on that album, the track that continues to be my favorite is “Something About Us.” This song starts super slow and kind of sad. Then, it quickly turns into a perfect blend of funk and electronic sounds.

Daft Punk became one of my favorite bands of all time, and I continue to be obsessed with their unique sound. Discovery is in my top ten albums of all time.

If you haven’t listened to this album, do yourself a favor and turn it on. For being a 20+ year old album, I think it is still just as relevant today as it was in 2001.

As I wrote this today, I was bumping their funky, melodic, and unusual sound. Vibes on, Vibes on Vibes.

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Stay Connected

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• Catch new episodes of the Introvert Leader Podcast every other Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts.