MSMP 100: Jeremy Lunnen on Training and Developing People to be Leaders

What Does MSMP 100: Jeremy Lunnen on Training and Developing People to be Leaders Talk About?

In this milestone 100th episode of the Mads Singers Management Podcast, host Mads Singers welcomes Jeremy Lunnen, the global leadership development programs manager at Qualfon. Jeremy leads Qualfon University, focusing on training and developing individuals moving into their first supervisory roles. The episode delves into the common problem of promoting capable people into management positions without providing them with the necessary training, leaving them struggling to manage their teams effectively. Mads and Jeremy emphasize that even natural-born leaders cannot reach their full potential without proper guidance and training. They also discuss the importance of company culture, comparing it to gardening: if you don't cultivate it intentionally, negative elements will take over. The conversation touches on cultural differences in the workplace, noting that technology and the COVID-19 pandemic have helped companies become more accustomed to working with diverse backgrounds. Key insights include focusing on employees' strengths rather than weaknesses, the critical role of soft skills for managers, and the necessity of transparent communication about performance.

Focus on strengths, manage around weaknesses.Jeremy Lunnen

Who Is Featured on MSMP 100: Jeremy Lunnen on Training and Developing People to be Leaders?

Jeremy Lunnen is the global leadership development programs manager at Qualfon, a company that operates contact centers worldwide. He has been with Qualfon since 2006 and leads Qualfon University, which is dedicated to training and developing people who are moving into their first supervisory positions. Jeremy is also the host of two podcasts: Mission Qualfon Podcast and Leading From The Basement Podcast. His expertise lies in leadership development, company culture, and cross-cultural management.

What Are the Key Takeaways From MSMP 100: Jeremy Lunnen on Training and Developing People to be Leaders?

• Many capable people promoted to management lack the essential training to be effective leaders.
• Having a strong company culture is essential, and all successful businesses are built on a solid culture.
• Managers must focus on soft skills and get to know their people and what motivates them.
• Managers should focus on strengths and manage around weaknesses, not dwell on gaps.
• If people don't see a firing coming, the manager has done a horrible job of communicating performance issues.

Focus on strengths, manage around weaknesses.Jeremy Lunnen

Is MSMP 100: Jeremy Lunnen on Training and Developing People to be Leaders Worth Listening To?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in management or leadership development, especially those responsible for training new managers. Jeremy Lunnen provides actionable insights on how to cultivate company culture and develop people into effective leaders. The discussion is practical and grounded in real-world experience, making it highly relevant for both new and seasoned managers. The 100th episode celebration adds a special touch, but the content stands on its own as a valuable resource for improving management practices.

Who Should Listen to MSMP 100: Jeremy Lunnen on Training and Developing People to be Leaders?

• New managers
• HR professionals
• Leadership development trainers
• Business owners

What Are Listeners Saying About This Episode?

Welcome to the 100th episode of the Mads Singers Management Podcast! It’s been quite a journey, and I couldn’t have gotten here without your support! 

Joining us today for our 100th episode is none other than Jeremy Lunnen. Jeremy is the global leadership development programs manager of Qualfon that runs contact centers around the world. Jeremy has been with Qualfon since 2006 and leads the efforts of Qualfon University by training and developing people who are moving up their first supervisory positions.

Jeremy and I had a fascinating discussion regarding management and how to train people in becoming leaders. With most job roles requiring some form of training, many people are promoted as managers get little to no movement and struggle in their new position to manage their team. Regardless if a person is a natural-born leader or has the potential to be a leader, they cannot unlock their full potential if they do not receive the proper guidance and training.

We then continued how some managers and business owners become cautious when working with other people from different cultures because there are differences in cultures and how some may get culture-shocked because they get exposed to something unpleasant.  However, because of advances in technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more companies are starting to adjust and get used to working with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Key Learning Points:

1. Mads points out that many capable people who get promoted as managers lack the essential training to be efficient.- 4:31
2. Mads says that having a company culture is essential, and all successful business is built on solid culture..- 9:33
3. Jeremy likens company culture to growing a garden: having a good place, removing rocks and weeds, tilling the soil, etc. Doing nothing or not taking action in creating your company culture allows negative things to grow and take their place. - 10:00
4. Jeremy says that your company will have its culture, whether it’s the culture that you carefully cared for and cultivated or the culture that popped out of nowhere because you didn’t pay attention. - 11:00
5. Jeremy says that being a manager isn’t all about numbers. Managers need to focus on their soft skills. He then adds that managers need to know their people and what motivates them.- 14:16
6. Mads says, while a great salesperson can’t be a great manager, a person can be trained to be a great manager. However, it doesn’t happen automatically. - 16:28
7. Jeremy stresses that managers shouldn’t focus on gaps or the things that people lack. - 19:22
8. Jeremy quotes Marcus Buckingham: “Focus on strengths, manage around weaknesses.” - 19:48
9. Mads shares that when people don’t see it coming and get fired, you have done a horrible job as a manager because if people aren’t performing well, they need to know. - 27:49
10. Jeremy encourages people to travel to experience and learn about other cultures and meet different people. - 33:24
11. While there are some negatives in working with other cultures, Jeremy and Mads point out that it’s crucial to unlearn some things to grow your staff or team. - 39:06

Connect with Jeremy:

Email: jlunnen@qualfon.com

Podcasts: 

Mission Qualfon Podcast

Leading From The Basement Podcast