Radical Humility Part 2: Leadership, Vulnerability, and Building Fearless Teams with Urs Koenig

Sparks by Ignium

In this episode of Sparks by Ignium, Phil Rose continues his deep conversation with Urs Koenig, a mission-driven, purpose-led leader with a wealth of experience in leadership, military service, and ultra-endurance sports. Picking up from their previous discussion, they delve into Urs’ experiences in leadership under extreme circumstances, the importance of relationship-building with purpose, and the value of psychological safety in teams. Urs shares powerful stories from his time in Lebanon and Syria, providing insights on how to lead with radical humility and build fearless teams. They also explore the concept of being a "leadership factory," creating the next generation of leaders, and the role of vulnerability in fostering a trusting and high-performing team culture.

Main Points for Listeners:

1. [00:59:43] The importance of relationship-building with a business purpose.
2. [01:07:06] Creating a "leadership factory" and the power of making yourself obsolete as a leader.
3. [01:11:36] The significance of psychological safety and how to foster it within teams.
4. [01:17:22] Levels of listening: Moving from self-focused to contextual listening.
5. [01:24:18] Urs’ approach to giving back: Empowering youth in conflict zones through Junior Achievement Africa.

Quotes and Highlights:

• "Relationship building with a business purpose is one of the core elements of radical humility." – Urs Koenig
• "The true test of leadership is how the ship runs when I’m not there." – Urs Koenig
• "Being vulnerable together is the only way that the team can become invulnerable." – Urs Koenig
• "I screwed that up. These might be the most important four words a leader can say." – Urs Koenig

Guest Biography:
Urs Koenig is an experienced leader, keynote speaker, and ultra-endurance athlete. With over 28 years of military experience and a background that spans conflict zones and corporate boardrooms, Urs brings a unique perspective on leadership, radical humility, and building fearless teams. As a senior officer, he has been deployed in challenging environments such as Lebanon and Syria, where he learned the importance of relationship-building and psychological safety. Urs is also passionate about giving back, dedicating all his speaking and book revenue to Junior Achievement Africa, supporting youth empowerment in conflict zones.

Learn More:

• Visit the Ignium [https://www.igniumconsult.com]
• Subscribe for more exclusive content in the Ignium Spark Tank [https://www.igniumconsult.com/the-spark-tank]
• Listen to the show [https://sparksbyignium.transistor.fm/episodes]

Connect with the Guest:

• Urs Koenig’s Website: https://www.urskoenig.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urskoenig

Books and Articles Referenced:

1. Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer - Margot Morrell, Stephanie Capparell
2. Turn the Ship Around! - L. David Marquet

Keywords in this episode: Leadership, Radical Humility, Psychological Safety, Vulnerability, Fearless Teams, Relationship Building, Junior Achievement Africa, Urs Koenig, Military Leadership, Youth Empowerment

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