Episode 19 | Leadership in Practice: From Ivory Tower Research to Real-World Results

Описание: What happens when an academic researcher, university professor, and business consultant walk into the same room? They're all the same person—and that's exactly what makes Simon Blanchette's perspective on leadership development so valuable. In this episode, Sandra Veledar sits down with Simon to explore the messy reality of leadership that textbooks don't capture, and why the biggest leadership challenge might just be managing your calendar.

From the multiplication of post-pandemic meetings to why merit isn't as objective as we think, Simon shares research-backed insights grounded in real organizational challenges. This isn't theory for theory's sake—it's actionable wisdom on building sustainable high performance through intentional time management, communication fundamentals, and creating cultures where people actually want to show up.

💡 Topics include:
● Why leadership in practice is messier than any textbook can capture
● The contingency approach: adapting your leadership style to different team members and situations
● Time management as a critical leadership skill—and why "delegate to the floor" should be in your toolkit
● How to identify and eliminate useless meetings that survived the pandemic
● The communication basics leaders still get wrong (and why this remains a fundamental gap)
● Why "the team that got you here won't get you there" applies to training too
● How to implement leadership training that actually sticks: spread it out, practice one thing at a time
● Why DEI is just about removing barriers so people have a fair shot at success
● Starting with one-on-ones: the foundation for trust, innovation, and sustainable culture

📌 Who should listen: Leaders drowning in meetings, HR professionals building training programs, academics bridging research and practice, and anyone trying to lead effectively in the messy reality of organizational life.

💬 Question for you: What's one meeting you could eliminate tomorrow—or delegate to the floor? Share in the comments!

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📱 Connect with I.Liv Performance: www.iliv.io
About Simon Blanchette: Simon is a researcher, professor (McGill & Concordia), and consultant who brings a unique trifecta of expertise to leadership development. His work focuses on aligning leadership processes, culture, and strategy to drive innovation and sustainable performance. With research informing his teaching and consulting—and vice versa—Simon delivers grounded, actionable insights that bridge the ivory tower and the boardroom.