Jack Nehlig and Trevor Robinson bring practical leadership experience to this lively Q&A episode, answering listener questions with real-world perspective. Readers will find clear takeaways on delivering bad news as a leader, effective book recommendations for those starting in leadership, and identifying the key attributes that make strong leadership teams. These topics are highly relevant for anyone stepping into management or seeking to grow their leadership impact.
How to Deliver Bad News as a Leader
Delivering bad news is one of the toughest aspects of leadership, and the way it’s handled can have a lasting impact on an organization. Jack Nehlig points out that the approach must be tailored to the situation, whether it's a termination due to underperformance or a broader company layoff. "If you listen to psychologists, they say that's the best way to end the relationship. Make it short and quick, get it over with. It's better for them in the end," Nehlig advises. For terminations due to performance, Nehlig recommends keeping the conversation brief, clear, and respectful, while involving HR for necessary follow-up.
In more sensitive scenarios like layoffs, empathy becomes even more crucial. Nehlig encourages leaders to express genuine appreciation for the employee’s contributions and clarify that the decision is about company needs, not personal failure. When facing team-wide performance challenges, providing detailed information and showing belief in the team’s ability to improve helps create a sense of shared purpose: “You turn the bad situation into a story of hope and vision, that you're going to really turn this thing around as a team.”
Recommended Books for New Leaders
For those embarking on a leadership journey, Nehlig suggests starting with tried-and-true classics. He shares, “The first one, I would recommend to almost everybody who has any leadership potential… is the old Covey book on the seven habits of highly effective people. It's just a really great basics book on how to self improve.” Building from there, he often points new leaders to John C. Maxwell’s catalog, including “Five Levels of Leadership,” praising Maxwell as a “great writer and he's really well thought on… leadership.”
For additional growth, Nehlig highlights Simon Sinek’s “Leaders Eat Last” and Robert Sutton’s “The No Asshole Rule,” as well as Steve McClatchy’s “Leading Relationships” for its practical examination of team dynamics. These books, he notes, cover both foundational mindsets and targeted practices, catering to leaders at different stages of their development.
Key Attributes When Building a Leadership Team
When it comes to selecting leaders, Nehlig upends the usual assumption that ambition is the top requirement. “If it's that apparent that someone wants a higher level job and they're asking for it in the company… that's not what I want in a leader,” he says. Instead, he prioritizes humility, dedication, and genuine care for people and the company’s mission.
“The kind of person I look for,” Nehlig explains, “is a humble, dedicated person that really cares about their people and the company.” He prefers to encourage those who may be “hidden leaders,” individuals who focus on helping their teams succeed rather than chasing promotions. These people often respond strongly to encouragement and mentorship, growing into impactful leaders who inspire trust and cooperation. Nehlig finishes by noting that while technical skills can be taught, the ability to lead with empathy and humility is far more difficult to instill.
Key Quote From The Episode
"You turn the bad situation into a story of hope and vision, that you're going to really turn this thing around as a team." — Jack Nehlig
Key Takeaways
00:00–09:29: Delivering bad news: Be concise, clear, and compassionate; differentiate approach between terminations and layoffs; provide sufficient information when addressing group performance.
09:30–13:44: Foundational books for new leaders include “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey and works by John C. Maxwell. Additional recommended titles focus on positivity, team relationships, and purpose-driven leadership.
16:21–19:01: Strong leadership teams are built by selecting humble, dedicated individuals who care about people and the organization—not just those who seek promotions.
Wrap Up
Delivering unwelcome news with empathy, investing in personal growth through foundational leadership books, and prioritizing humility and care when building a team are practices that set effective leaders apart. Readers aiming to grow as leaders should practice clear and compassionate communication, seek out books that offer actionable advice, and encourage peers who quietly demonstrate true leadership potential.
Actionable Suggestions:
Practice delivering difficult messages in a straightforward, respectful manner.
Choose one leadership book recommended in the episode and apply its lessons.
When building a team, look beyond ambition and seek out those who support others and embody humility.
