Fail Faster, Grow Stronger: Deb Dixson’s Playbook for Teams that Thrive Without You

The Leadership Vision Podcast

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22d ago 43:26

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Pioneering technology executive and Leadership Vision advisor Deb Dixson joins Nathan to unpack how leaders move teams from dependence on one person to interdependence—through mission clarity (“we sell lettuce”), Strengths-based roles, and a culture where fast, safe learning is encouraged. Drawing on her 30+ years as a CISO, CIO, and executive coach, Deb shares stories of building resilient teams, empowering others to lead, and offering timeless guidance for leaders navigating change.

Deb also wrote the forward to Unfolded, and we are so grateful for her continued investment in our team.

What we discuss

From hero to builder: Why great leaders aim to make themselves unnecessary—and how Deb did it.
Mission clarity: Connecting daily work to the outcome (“we sell lettuce”) so everyone sees how they serve the customer.
Strengths in action: Placing people where they’re wired to excel; using a common language to handle conflict and change.
Safe failure → faster learning: Celebrating responsible experiments, shortening feedback loops, and avoiding “death-march” projects.
Finding the gaps: Spotting unowned work and empowering people to own it (including Deb’s CISO origin story).

Resources & Links

Leadership Vision Consulting – services, podcast, newsletter: https://www.leadershipvisionconsulting.com
Unfolded: Lessons in Transformation from an Origami Crane (Brian & Dr. Linda Schubring)
CliftonStrengths (StrengthsFinder)
Dale Carnegie training
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🎉 Unfolded is a National Bestseller!
#1 in Business & #5 Overall on USA Today
#17 on Publisher’s Weekly Nonfiction
📘 Grab your copy + get the FREE Reflection Guide!

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The Leadership Vision Podcast is a weekly show sharing our expertise in discovering, practicing, and implementing a Strengths-based approach to people, teams, and culture. Contact us to talk to us about helping your team understand the power of Strengths.

Chapters

1. Failing Fast And Learning (00:00:00)

2. Welcome And Deb’s Career Snapshot (00:02:15)

3. From Directive To Empowering Leadership (00:05:44)

4. Building Teams That Outlast The Leader (00:10:21)

5. Coaching Young Leaders To Share Credit (00:14:38)

6. Defining Leadership And Mission Clarity (00:19:08)

7. Using Strengths To Build Trust (00:23:38)

8. Softening Maximizer With Questions (00:28:13)

9. Gap Hunting And Safe Failure (00:32:33)

10. Better Than Nothing And Taking Initiative (00:37:03)

11. Timeless Mentorship Lessons (00:41:08)

12. Permission To Dream And Keep Growing (00:44:03)

396 episodes

#Nathan Freeburg #Business Consulting #Coaching #Self-Improvement #Leadership #Business #Podcasting Education #Careers #StrengthsFinder