138. Unmasking the Authentic Leader Within: A Journey to Liberated Leadership

Rise and Play Podcast

In this episode, we reconnect with gaming industry veteran Steve Cuss to discuss his journey from traditional to liberated leadership, starting The GamePlan Consultancy and publishing his first book, Liberated Leadership. Steve shares his insights on the challenges and rewards of fostering a more inclusive and authentic workplace, exploring the significance of authenticity, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence for creative leaders.

Steve emphasises the importance of self-awareness for leaders and the opportunities for self-transformation through retreats and personal inner work. We delve into the significance of creating psychological safety, balancing control with autonomy, and aligning personal and organisational values to find a deeper purpose in leadership.

01:46 Steve Cuss’s Journey Over the Past Year

04:05 Challenges and Insights in Leadership Training

09:34 The Evolution of Leadership in the Gaming Industry

10:51 The Concept of Liberated Leadership

15:12 Personal Growth and Authenticity in Leadership

26:45 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

27:40 The Importance of Deliberate Pauses

29:09 Creating Psychological Safety

30:10 The Need for Feedback in Leadership

31:39 Integrating Values and Purpose

38:22 Challenges in Leadership and Gender Differences

43:20 The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence

48:21 Practical Steps for Leaders

This conversation is a follow-up to a discussion we had with Steve a year ago, introducing the concept of Liberated Leadership, and its genesis. You can listen to that episode here:

You can buy the book “Liberated Leadership” here: https://amzn.eu/d/6lHxbAW

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