Episode #155: Dr. Henry Cloud on Leadership, Writing, and the Importance of Coaching

In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug interviews Dr. Henry Cloud. In the interview, they walk through the leadership principles taught in three of Dr. Cloud’s books, they talk about Dr. Cloud’s process for writing books and his advice for aspiring authors, his advice for young leaders, and the importance of coaching for leaders.

 

Connect with Dr. Cloud

Dr. Cloud’s Books Mentioned in the Podcast:

Dr. Cloud’s Bio:

Dr. Cloud is an acclaimed leadership expert, psychologist, and best-selling author. He draws on his extensive experience in business, leadership consulting, and clinical psychology, to impart practical and effective advice for improving leadership skills and business performance.

Dr. Cloud is a New York Times bestselling author, and his books have sold over 10 million copies. His leadership book, Integrity, was dubbed by the New York Times as “the best book in the bunch.” In 2011, Necessary Endings was called “the most important book you read all year.” His book “Boundaries For Leaders” was named by CEO Reads in the top five leadership books of its year. Dr. Cloud’s work has been featured and reviewed by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Publisher’s Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and many other publications. Success Magazine named Dr. Cloud in the top 25 of 2014’s most influential leaders in personal growth and development. He is a frequent contributor to CNN, Fox News Channel, and other national media outlets.

In his leadership consulting practice, Dr. Cloud works with Fortune 500 companies and smaller private businesses alike. He has an extensive executive coaching background, and experience as a leadership consultant, devoting the majority of his time working with CEO’s, leadership teams and executives to improve performance, leadership skills, and culture.

His experience includes three decades as a consultant, and as an entrepreneur, he started and grew a successful chain of treatment centers in over 40 cities across the western United States. His experience running a business of this magnitude lends credibility to his expertise on leadership matters in the companies with which he works.

As a speaker, Dr. Cloud has shared the stage with many business and global leaders and experts, such as Tony Blair, Jack Welch, Condoleezza Rice, Desmond Tutu, Marcus Buckingham, and others.

Dr. Cloud is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, with a B.S. in psychology. He completed his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Biola University and his clinical internship at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. His philanthropic interests lie in homelessness in the inner city, as well as missions in the developing world. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Tori, and their two daughters, Olivia and Lucy. He enjoys golf, scuba diving, boating, and fishing.

 

Questions Asked: 

  • Henry, you’re known around the world for changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people through your work, what do you wish people knew about what it took to get to where you’re at in this stage of your journey?
    • What  are some of the prices that you’ve had to pay that nobody may know about?

Changes that Heal

  • This book is broken into 4 main sections: Bonding to Others, Separating from Others, Boundaries, Growing into Adulthood. . .
    • I’m curious, as I’ve introduced the book to people, I’ve found that a lot of people are afraid to go there with some of these principles,  how important is it for leaders to get these concepts under their belts?
      • What plan would you give them to do that?

When you’re working through some of these issues with people, how do you personally deal with all the pain that comes from walking people through some of the darkest moments of their lives?

The Power of Others

  • 4 Corner of Relationships – Corner 4 – Finding nourishing relationships. . .
    • What do corner 4 relationships look like in your life?
      • How did you find and develop these type of relationships?
      • How can leaders do the same?

Necessary Endings

  • Why did you write this book?
    • Why should people start to view endings as normal?  
    • How can people learn to not let endings ruin their lives?

Writing:

  • In The Power of Others, you shared a story about what enabled you to write and publish your first book. Can you recap this and share with us what have you learned about writing and the writing process?
  • What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Coaching:

    • What made you focus on coaching leaders? Why does anyone need coaching?
    • You get to spend time with some of the greatest leaders on the planet, I’m curious, what are the common traits of leaders that you love spending time with versus the ones who may disappoint yo
  • If someone wanted to learn more about  Leadership University, what can they do?

Young Leaders:

  • If you could give young leaders any advice, what would it be?

Closing Questions:

  • What are you currently working on that you’re excited about and how can our audience serve you and pray for you?

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