Whole Leaders or Hollow Promises? Why Method and Measures Matter—The WiLD Way with Dr. McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu

2025-04-22

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In this power-packed episode of The WiLD Conversation, Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu go beyond surface-level leadership trends and dive headfirst into a conversation that challenges how most organizations approach development. Too often, leaders are handed tools without a method, or methods without measures. Rob boldly claims: “Both matter if we’re serious about building trust and developing whole leaders.” This episode unveils the revolutionary WiLD methodology—a transformative approach that reshapes how we think, interact, and assess in leadership. With insights on psychol...

In this power-packed episode of The WiLD Conversation, Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu go beyond surface-level leadership trends and dive headfirst into a conversation that challenges how most organizations approach development.

Too often, leaders are handed tools without a method, or methods without measures. Rob boldly claims: “Both matter if we’re serious about building trust and developing whole leaders.” This episode unveils the revolutionary WiLD methodology—a transformative approach that reshapes how we think, interact, and assess in leadership.

With insights on psychological safety, strategic vulnerability, and the necessity of aligning learning and performance, Rob and Sabeth dissect the foundational shift needed in leadership development. They unpack why seeing people whole isn't a nice-to-have—it's a non-negotiable for building organizations where trust can actually grow.

🔑 Leadership Takeaways

Method Without Measures Is a Myth: Leadership development must include both a consistent methodology and meaningful assessments. Without both, growth is accidental at best.
Start at the Top, but Don’t Stop There: Real transformation starts with senior leaders who do the work, not just endorse it.
See the Story Behind the Scores: Data is essential, but context is king. Leaders must learn to interpret profiles as pieces of a complex narrative, not just numbers.
Expect Ownership, Not Just Attendance: Empower people to own their learning journey by giving development back to them—with clear expectations and support.
Create Learning Rhythms: Learning isn't a one-off event. Design a sustainable rhythm that integrates development into the day-to-day.
Lead with Strategic Vulnerability: Your job isn’t to master every assessment. Your job is to crack the door open for real conversation.
Bridge the Business and the Individual: Development isn’t about choosing between the needs of the organization and the growth of the person. It’s about connecting both with intentionality.