Episode 68: FIRED Leadership & Change with Paul McCarthy

Today’s story comes from someone I admire and believe in and have had the chance to get to know these past few months. Paul McCarthy is the founder and author of the forthcoming book on FIRED Leadership. I first heard Paul speak about his work and thought leadership on the Humans Now and Then Podcast with Rebecca Scott. While listening, I found myself stopping in my tracks as Paul posed questions that frankly, no one dared to say aloud before. At the heart of his inquiry is a purpose driven desire to understand why after almost $400 billion a year is spent on leadership development, it still isn’t working. Paul speaks his truth and shares facts that many organizations do not want to admit. Plain and simple. And in his inquiry and investigation for even more truth in this industry, Paul helps us understand what some may consider an ongoing, unsolved mystery. Why is it, that after all this investment in top talent, organizations are continuing to fire their top talent. As Paul asks each question in numerous interview this year, I find myself listening deeper and relating to his experience. Paul asks leaders, and you the listeners: Are you courageous enough to have an honest conversation about what isn’t working in your organization's approach to leadership development? Paul’s story and his work brings up a lot for me, and I know that many of us have similar and shared experiences. My hope and intention in sharing his story, my story and our stories, is that we each can individually and then collectively muster up the courage and integrity to start having different conversations and make change at the heart of the problem in leadership development today. This conversation is important. The implications are exponential. The need is pressing. The future generation of leaders depends on us to unsubscribe from a false narrative and author a new way forward that involves fresh thinking, inquisitive thinking, real and accountable conversations, expressive and challenging questions and direct and transparent conversation. You can learn more about Paul on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmccarthy73/