In this episode of In Session, Danny Harris, Executive Director of Aspen Socrates Program, shares some lessons on leadership collected along his journey, including as a parent. Danny highlights that all of us are in the trust business and that no matter what your organization does, it needs trust from its shareholders, stakeholders, and community. In a moment where trust is especially low, all of us have to work extra hard to build trust in our organizations and communities.

Danny’s kids are easily his best and hardest teachers as they constantly ask “why?”, which can be incredibly profound (e.g. why do some people not have homes?) and slightly infuriating (e.g. why do I need to put on a coat?). As such, they inspire him to ask that wonderfully simple and endlessly hard question “why” to everything from “why do I believe that?” to “why do I continue to take this action?”

A simple reminder from a two, six, and nine-year-old to ask, re-ask, and then ask again “why?” in life, work, and your approach to leadership.

Danny also focuses on the importance of dialogue. Strong leaders pay attention to what’s around them and are open to listen, taking in new information points and incorporating them into their work.

Through it all, Danny’s message is clear: put yourself in dialogue, always ask yourself ‘why?’, and create a vision for people and bring them along.