Steven Gaffney, Bestselling Author & Change Management Expert

Steven Gaffney, Bestselling Author & Change Management Expert

• Origin as an agent for creative professionals
• Shift to corporate training via a chance opportunity

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In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You (TBCY), hosts Ashutosh Garg and Steven Gaffney dive deep into the themes from Steven’s bestselling book, Unconditional Power. Steven, an esteemed expert in honest communication and high-performing teams, shares lessons from his professional journey, personal resilience, and the art of transforming challenges into fuel for success. Here’s a breakdown of key questions and takeaways, complete with important timestamps:

00:01:11- What inspired Steven Gaffney’s journey into honest communication and high-performing teams?

• Origin as an agent for creative professionals
• Shift to corporate training via a chance opportunity
• Secret to retention: teaching practical, results-driven skills

00:02:15- How did facing cancer and the 2008 recession shape Steven’s perspective?

• Importance of focusing on what you can control
• Example: Retraining mindset during adversity
• Birth of the book Unconditional Power through personal challenge

00:03:30- What is Unconditional Power about, and what’s the hypothesis of the book?

• Connection between mood and productivity
• The influence of a leader’s mindset on problem-solving
• Steven’s personal struggles with moods and the desire to help others bounce back

00:04:47- What is “mood discipline,” and why does it matter for leaders?

• The contagious nature of mood within teams
• Cultivating awareness of the ripple effect one’s mood can cause
• The responsibility to bounce back and set the tone

00:06:02- What is the “power continuum,” and why do most people operate in a conditional state?

• Three key moods: Powerless, Conditionally Powerful, Unconditionally Powerful
• Most people place limits (“I can do this as long as…”) rather than focusing on what’s controllable
• Being unconditionally powerful means acting regardless of conditions, fostering resilience

00:07:40- How can leaders and teams safely cultivate greater self-awareness?

• Importance of discussing the three power states openly
• Self and team assessments: “Where are we? Where do we want to be?”
• Judgement-free encouragement to seek “unconditional power”

00:08:52- What strategies help teams achieve unconditional power? (With examples)

• Make the unaware aware
• “Reframe to refocus”: Simplifying problems to drive action
• Reducing complex challenges to actionable KPIs or steps

00:10:20- What are common mistakes leaders make in empowering teams?

• Belief that empowerment just happens
• The necessity of intentional acts, such as “enlarging the frame” or placing issues in a broader context
• Inspiring teams by connecting day-to-day problems to the bigger mission
  

RESOURCES:

Learn more about  Steven Gaffney: Linkedin 

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• Origin as an agent for creative professionals
• Shift to corporate training via a chance opportunity
• Secret to retention: teaching practical, results-driven skills