In a recent podcast episode, Dr. Heather Walker, host of the Lead with Levity podcast, spoke with Sam Yankelevitch, former global operations executive turned author, trainer, and international speaker about a range of themes central to professional life – scripting, failure, problem-solving and levity in work culture.
Sam Yankelevitch: On Failure and Problem Solving
A key aspect of the conversation with Yankelevitch centered around addressing and rethinking our relationship with the word and phenomenon, “failure.” According to Yankelevitch, our perception of the term ‘failure’ is deeply rooted in societal norms that associate it with negativity. But what if we could redefine failure for ourselves? In a world where words shape our reality, Yankelevitch advocates for a more flexible approach to language.
The same mindset should apply to problem-solving, another key pillar of our conversation. Yankelevitch asserted that ‘problems’ should not necessarily denote negativity. Rather, we should view problems as opportunities for growth.
Applying These Concepts in Professional Scenarios
To ground these ideas in reality, the conversation turned to a practical scenario involving Sarah, a professional interviewing for a marketing role, and David, the hiring manager. This allowed for a deeper examination of key themes, including the importance of transparency in the hiring process and building trust during interviews.
Transparency serves not just as a moral commitment but also as a strategic tool in the hiring process. It removes unrealistic expectations and aligns both employer and employee on the road ahead. Building trust, Yankelevitch explained, could start with light, non-work-related conversations.
Infusing Levity into Our Lives
The third cornerstone of Yankelevitch’s approach to work is incorporating levity. This goes beyond a superficial need to have fun but a deeper desire to find joy in what we do. Sam echoed this point by explaining how the joy he gets from his work fuels his motivation.
Yankelevitch’s view – that we should look beyond the rigidity of convention, be it with the language of ‘failure’, our attitudes to problem-solving, or our relationships at the work – offers refreshing insights.
Looking Ahead: Words, Works, and the Ways Ahead
When discussing his future, Yankelevitch revealed plans to continue working on the theme of problem-solving, notably expanding on the idea of turning ‘problem’ from a nuisance into a learning opportunity. He also highlighted his upcoming sequel to the book “An Interview with Failure,” focusing on the power and influence of words in our lives.
To sum up, Yankelevitch’s approach coaxes us to embrace a refreshingly different way to perceive failure, problem-solving, and levity in the professional world. This discussion reinforces the importance of self-reflection, redefining perceptions and taking ownership of our work and the joy it brings. Infusing these principles and mindsets into our professional lives could pave the way for a robust and resilient professional life.
In our rapidly-changing professional world where the only constant is change itself, looking at age-old concepts with a fresh lens as Yankelovich proposes, may be the transformative approach we need. If you want to learn more about Sam Yankelevich, head over to his website or connect with him on LinkedIn.
Sam Yankelevitch
Sam insists he’s too old to grow up, too young to stop learning and delighted to give back. His latest book is also his first stab at fiction called, An Interview with Failure. Sam is a former global operations executive, turned author, trainer, and international speaker. Based on his work with teams across the globe, he teaches how to improve communication, solve problems and align culture with strategy. His experience comes from working in the automotive, industrial equipment, aerospace and other key sectors for over 35 years. Sam is a recognized Linkedin Learning instructor. Over 450,000 learners have watched his courses on international project management, problem solving and improving communication. His programs are aimed at improving leadership skills to improve culture and results. He is also the author of 5 books leveraging Lean thinking to improve communication and team alignment.
the guy is a genius, every company should hire him
Major thanks for the article post. Much thanks again.