Aug 14, 2023
111: Leadership Evolved with Ken Jacobs
In this episode, Dan welcomes back legendary communicator, connector, and executive coach to the PR industry, Ken Jacobs, for his second appearance on the show. Back in January 2021, he and Dan talked about leadership and purpose in the agency world. Now, with the pandemic in the rearview, has widespread indecision and inconsistency around remote work, hybrid work, and RTO (Return to Office) changed the nature of leadership and management?
Ken and Dan dig into some of the changes we’ve seen over the past few years and try to find some answers. Ken walks us through the nuances of building a team in a remote setting and why managers still must be able to build and manage teams effectively. Remote working doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon, even as some organizations push for a return to more traditional work settings. No matter what organizations are doing, though, the past few years have highlighted the importance of connection and connectedness for effective leadership - and we need a new playbook.
In this episode, you will be able to:
* Uncover the ever-progressing dynamics of leadership within the context of the PR industry in a fluctuating global environment.
* Navigate the ins and outs of remote work and running teams virtually in a post-pandemic world.
* Find the balance between granting autonomy, instilling trust, and avoiding micromanagement in a team-centric setting.
* Gain insight into the pivotal role of AI and other groundbreaking technologies in reshaping the PR industry.
* Appreciate why adopting a learning attitude and making learning a lifetime habit stands as a key cornerstone of successful leadership.
Notable Quotes:
* “I think this whole notion of connecting more and wanting to connect more and wanting more time together is partly due to the lockdown and also, they want to spend time with people who are natural connectors.” – (3:17), Ken
* “Coaching isn’t what we do; it’s who we are.” – (5:46), Ken
* “Make your office a magnet, not a mandate.” – (16:00), Ken
* “It (remote working for PR) can be done. Can it be done better working together? Probably” – (18:58), Ken
* “Is the team really a team if they’re not together?” – (22:24), Dan
* “Every time you say it’s hard for me or I’m not good at, add the word … now.” – (30:30), Ken
* “You don’t have to be a neuroscientist to use the neuroscience.” – (31:40), Ken
* “When we say I wonder how that would feel, we actually start to feel it.” – (34:21), Ken
* “We don’t realize it but many people who work for us, our followers, have a vision.” – (36:20), Ken
* “It feels like the need for certain leadership attributes are on steroids.” – (41:05), Ken
* “You’ve got to act in a trustworthy manner no matter the consequences.” – (42:23), Ken
* “When you look at your past be very mindful to not judge yourself too harshly.” – (46:40), Ken
* “It’s really important that you’re nurturing and not micromanaging.” (51:31), Ken
* “One thing AI cannot do is mimic or replace emotional intelligence and empathy and trust.” – (1:01:13), Dan
* “This notion of lifetime learning is absolutely critical.” – (1:04:55), Ken
About Ken Jacobs
Ken Jacobs is the principal of Jacobs Consulting & Executive Coaching, leveraging his expertise for over a decade to bolster agency growth, client relations, and staff performance. A recognized coach and consultant, Ken holds PCC credentials from the International Coach Federation and additional accreditations from iPEC, including CPC, ELI Master Practitioner, and CLDS. His rich experience encompasses collaborations with top-tier communications agencies such as Catalyst, Coyne Public Relations, and M Booth, to name a few. Before founding his firm, Jacobs dedicated 25 years to leadership roles in renowned PR agencies, notably spearheading the award-winning "MMC Masters" training program at Marina Maher Communications. Beyond his consulting, Ken shares insights in his "Taking The Lead" column for PRSA's Strategies and Tactics. An alumnus of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School, he's also an honored member of PRSA, and a Senior Counselor to Prosper Group.
Ken Jacobs Links
* Jacobs Consulting and Executive Coaching
* Ken Jacobs - Twitter
* Ken Jacobs - Facebook
* Ken Jacobs – Linkedin
Dan Nestle Links
* The Dan Nestle Show (libsyn.com)
* Daniel Nestle | LinkedIn
* The Dan Nestle Show | Facebook
* Dan Nestle | Twitter
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction,
00:01:48 - Connecting with Natural Connectors,
00:06:07 - Coaching During the Pandemic,
00:10:12 - Accelerated Change and Returning to the Office,
00:13:32 - In-Person Energy and Coordination,
00:15:56 - The Importance of Making the Office a Magnet, not a Mandate,
00:16:42 - Challenges of Remote Work and Real Estate,
00:18:30 - The Value of In-Person Collaboration,
00:19:51 - Leadership in a Remote Work Environment,
00:25:34 - Expectations Gap and Hiring Talent,
00:33:02 - The Relief of a Fresh Perspective,
00:34:16 - Customizing Leadership Styles,
00:36:11 - Building Trust and Connection,
00:42:58 - The Challenges of Virtual Leadership,
00:50:40 - The Importance of Nurturing Relationships in a Remote Work Environment,
00:53:19 - Setting Clear Expectations and Deadlines,
00:56:25 - Embracing AI and the Importance of Integration,
01:00:50 - Approaching AI with a Growth Mindset,
01:04:51 - The Importance of Lifetime Learning and Staying Relevant,
01:07:29 - Learning About AI,
01:08:12 - The Future of AI,
01:08:59 - Pivotal Person in Life,
01:10:49 - LinkedIn as the Platform of Choice,
01:14:35 - LinkedIn Fails and Harassment
Timestamped summary of this episode, courtesy of Capsho:
00:00:00 - Introduction,
Dan Nestle introduces the podcast episode and welcomes back Ken Jacobs, a former PR agency executive and leadership expert. They discuss the importance of pivotal moments and the role of people in those moments.
00:01:48 - Connecting with Natural Connectors,
Ken Jacobs talks about the desire to connect more with people who are natural connectors and how it transcends age. He emphasizes the importance of helping one another and how the lockdown during the pandemic accelerated the need for connection.
00:06:07 - Coaching During the Pandemic,
Ken Jacobs shares his experience as a coach during the pandemic and how he continued coaching even when clients couldn't pay. He highlights the importance of purpose-driven work and how emotional intelligence and empathy helped people thrive during challenging times.
00:10:12 - Accelerated Change and Returning to the Office,
The conversation shifts to the accelerated change brought on by the pandemic and the impact on work culture. They discuss the mixed approach of remote and in-office work and the need to reevaluate the purpose of going to the office. Ken emphasizes the importance of using in-person time effectively.
00:13:32 - In-Person Energy and Coordination,
Ken and Dan discuss the energy that comes from in-person interactions and the need to find a balance between remote and in-office work. They highlight the importance of coordinating in-person time to brainstorm and collaborate effectively.
00:15:56 - The Importance of Making the Office a Magnet, not a Mandate,
Ken Jacobs emphasizes the need for companies to give employees a reason to come back to the office beyond just basic perks like Taco Tuesday. Making the office a place for collaboration and idea generation is crucial, but it must be done in a way that respects individual preferences and safety concerns.
00:16:42 - Challenges of Remote Work and Real Estate,
Many companies had to downsize their office…