Leading Change In A System That Resists It
Episode 14: Memphis City - Innovative Leadership Techniques In A Corporate Setting with Alex Smith
Alex Smith on running change inside a large, slow organisation, and the moves that create room to act.
How do I drive change in a bureaucratic organisation?
Also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
What this episode covers
Many leaders in bureaucratic organisations struggle to drive meaningful change amid entrenched processes and resistance. In this episode, Alex Smith, Chief HR Officer for the City of Memphis and recognised HR leader, shares practical insights on applying servant leadership within a government context. Alex explains how adopting a mindset focused on serving others, including employees and citizens, can improve talent management and organisational outcomes. She discusses the challenges faced when introducing new leadership approaches and how showing genuine care and support can build trust and engagement. This episode offers guidance for managers seeking to overcome inertia and create positive change in complex corporate or public sector environments.
Who this is for: General managers and senior operators working in bureaucratic or government settings who want to drive change and improve team performance.
Key takeaways
- Servant leadership focuses on serving others first, which can improve employee engagement and public service outcomes.
- Introducing servant leadership in government organisations faces resistance, but clear examples and recognition programmes help adoption.
- Parental leadership styles, like showing genuine care and support, can be effective in guiding teams and developing talent.
- Regularly asking what has changed after leadership initiatives helps identify where decision-making stalls and who is the bottleneck.
- Leaders who demonstrate they care contribute to organisational growth and can overcome challenges through continuous learning and adaptation.
What does it mean to be a servant leader in government HR, and how can embracing this mindset make life better for citizens? Join us in an insightful conversation with our esteemed guest, Alex Smith, the Chief HR Officer for the City of Memphis, as we explore the power of servant leadership and its impact on talent management, especially during the pandemic.
Alex Smith, 2022 HRD Global 100 HR leader and winner of HRO Today Magazine's CHRO of the Year 2020, is best known for positioning the City of Memphis as a model for city government for the 21st Century.
A firm believer in community service, Alex serves on the advisory council for 3SixtyInsights and the advisory board for Government Executive Media Group's RouteFifty. She also serves on the board of directors for the Soulsville Foundation.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Duke University and a Master's degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota. Alex currently lives in Memphis with her two daughters.
Learn more about Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chroalexsmith/
Episode Highlights
[3:37] What is servant leadership for Alex?
[7:00] An example of a program promoting servant leadership and barriers encountered
[12:52] What is Ovation Award?
[15:11] Parenting vs. great leadership
[18:20] What her kids taught her about leadership
[20:47] How leaders can bring servant parental leadership into the workplace
[23:24] How to show that you actually care and helping your organization to grow
[29:04] Some challenges that allowed Alex to grow
[32:45] What’s in the future for Alex?
[34:33] Outro
Follow and Subscribe to Jimmy Burroughes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyburroughes/
Website: https://www.jimmyburroughes.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmybleadership/
----------
Grab a copy of Jimmy's books at: https://jblhighperformance.com/books
Questions managers ask about this episode
What is servant leadership and how can it be applied in government organisations?
Servant leadership is a leadership style focused on serving others first rather than commanding. In government, it means prioritising the needs of employees and citizens, fostering trust and engagement. Alex Smith explains that this approach can improve talent management and public service by creating a culture of support and collaboration despite bureaucratic constraints.
How can I introduce new leadership techniques in a bureaucratic organisation?
Introducing new leadership styles in bureaucratic settings requires clear examples and recognition programmes to overcome resistance. Alex shares how the City of Memphis used programmes like the Ovation Award to promote servant leadership, demonstrating its benefits and encouraging adoption through visible support and acknowledgement.
What leadership lessons can be learned from parenting?
Leadership can draw from parenting by showing genuine care, support, and guidance. Alex Smith discusses how her experience as a parent taught her the importance of empathy and nurturing growth, which translates into effective team leadership and talent development in the workplace.
How do I identify where change is stalling in my organisation?
Regularly asking what has changed after leadership initiatives helps reveal where decisions are stalling and who is the bottleneck. Jimmy Burroughes emphasises diagnosing decision friction to understand if managers or their bosses are blocking progress, enabling targeted actions to improve flow and performance.