Simplify to Amplify with Lisa Bodell: Lead to Succeed 159
Episode Summary:
Do you ever feel like you’re busy all the time but not making real progress? What if the key to achieving more isn’t doing more, but simplifying how we work?
In this episode, Lisa Bodell unpacks the importance of cutting through the clutter to focus on what truly drives value, helping us trade busyness for meaningful impact.
Lisa, founder of FutureThink, is a globally recognized expert on simplifying work and driving innovation. She is the author of Why Simple Wins and Kill the Company, both bestsellers that emphasize replacing unnecessary complexity with simplicity to allow people to focus on impactful work. Her insights have influenced top organizations, including Google, SAP, Citigroup, and the U.S. Department of National Intelligence. A frequent Forbes contributor, Lisa’s expertise has also been featured in Fast Company, Wired, The New York Times, and Harvard Business Review. She has taught innovation at American University and Fordham University, and her TED Talk on simplification resonates with thousands each year. Through FutureThink, one of the world’s largest sources for innovation tools, Lisa’s work empowers teams to improve productivity, engagement, and well-being by shifting focus to what matters most.
Key Talking Points of the Episode: (Note: timestamps follow the audio recording)
[02:21] More about Lisa’s journey.
[04:57] Lisa’s approach to uncover true value and reframe the idea of staying busy.
[07:45] What Lisa means by “simplification” and why is it so critical.
[09:30] Specific questions Lisa advises leaders to assess if their work and processes drive progress.
[11:40] Lisa’s advice for people feeling stuck in environments where they can’t challenge unnecessary work.
[15:44] The link between "simplification" and "morale" and Lisa’s advice for leaders to boost workplace morale.
[19:10] How a new leader can uncover true morale, understand genuine feelings, and start driving progress.
[22:41] What leaders should be aware of to achieve simplification.
[25:52] Lisa’s biggest mistake and how she grew from it.
[27:04] Rapid-fire questions.
[30:39] Lisa’s final life lesson.
Standout Quotes from this Episode:
“People will work really hard if they’re doing meaningful work.”
“Think about what you can stop doing versus what you can start.”
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Becoming the New Boss: The New Leader's Guide to Sustained Success
Becoming the Productive Boss: 5 Proven Steps to Leading High Performing Teams