In this episode, Tim welcomes Justin Henry to talk about his journey from electrical engineering to law, education, and public service. They discuss the influential figures in Justin's life, including sports legend Jackie Robinson and his grandmother, who instilled resilience and determination in him. Justin shares the challenges he faced during his education and career, including disparities in educational opportunities and the decision to transition from a promising engineering career to joining Teach For America. This decision marked the beginning of his lifelong commitment to educational equity and community service.

Justin recounts his extensive career as a teacher and a corporate attorney, as well as his advisory roles at various organizations. He reflects on the personal costs and sacrifices inherent in leadership roles, the importance of mental health, and maintaining a balance between career and personal life.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Influential figures in Justin's life, including Jackie Robinson and his grandmother
• Educational disparities and challenges Justin faced at the University of Texas at Austin
• Career transition from electrical engineering to joining Teach For America
• Experiences and lessons learned as a middle school math teacher in Los Angeles
• Importance of educational equity and community service
• Leadership insights and personal costs of leadership roles
• Mental health and work-life balance strategies
• Impact of the Jackie Robinson Foundation on Justin's education and development
• Networking, building trust, and the significance of relationships in career success
• Justin's decision to run for the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees
• Reflections on authenticity and staying true to one's purpose

Tim talks to Ellen Barker, a seasoned professional and retired senior VP and CIO of Texas Instruments in this episode of Bonafide Leaders. Ellen shares her journey, highlighting her experiences with coaching, mentoring, and major career decisions post-retirement. She discusses the value of both internal and external mentors, focusing on how each provides unique insights crucial to professional growth. Ellen also reflects on her post-retirement transition, weighing personal commitments like family roles before deciding to join a publicly listed company board, driven by her desire for intellectual stimulation and impact.

Ellen and Tim also talk about pioneering her efforts in advocating for flexible work arrangements, particularly during a time when such practices were uncommon. She successfully negotiated a business plan for telecommuting to balance her professional and personal life, breaking conventional corporate norms. The episode also touches on Ellen's involvement in STEM initiatives, her unique career path, and her approach to managing stress and work-life integration.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Ellen Barker's experience with coaching
• Importance of internal and external mentors
• Career decisions post-retirement and joining a board
• Promoting flexible work arrangements
• Ellen's impact as Tim’s only female boss
• STEM initiatives and gender biases
• Career awareness and education for girls in STEM
• Ellen's approach to managing stress and work-life balance
• Overcoming career challenges and unexpected opportunities
• Relocation challenges and professional growth

In this episode, Tim welcomes Art L. George Jr., a celebrated leader with an illustrious career at Texas Instruments (TI). Art shares his unique journey from an early engineering role in Sherman, Texas, to becoming a pivotal figure in TI's analog and high-performance linear businesses. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a divorce and experiences with racial prejudice, Art's story is one of resilience and determination.

They discuss his strategic career moves, from managing smaller teams to overseeing central business units and eventually joining corporate boards. Art emphasizes the importance of asking for what you want, mentoring others, and the critical role of strong professional relationships. He also discusses scaling management techniques, maintaining work-life balance, and the influence of mentors in shaping his leadership path. He also gives powerful insights on navigating career challenges, fostering authentic leadership, and the power of mentorship.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Managing Precision Analog and Amplifiers and Interface (PAI) and its evolution
• The significance of taking lateral or backward steps for long-term career growth
• Personal challenges including navigating a divorce and the professional implications
• Strategies for handling personal crises in leadership roles
• Transition to a post-TI career with aspirations in public for-profit board service
• Why it is important to ask for what you want in life and get mentorship
• Managing complexity and scaling teams from smaller to larger business units
• The role of mentorship in Art’s Career
• Personal anecdotes about overcoming racial challenges in his career

Tim welcomes Derick Miller, Irving's Chief of Police to explore the important relationship between leadership, trust, and innovation in policing. They discuss the importance of aligning words with actions to build community trust and emphasize the need for innovation, discussing advances like AI in dispatch. Derick also shares a personal story illustrating the impact of effective emergency response, reinforcing his respect for emergency services.

The episode also tackles career transitions, focusing on maintaining motivation and effectiveness through different career stages. They offer insights into avoiding complacency and embracing challenges, emphasizing the importance of perspective, continuous learning, and compassion when faced with difficult decisions. They also discuss leadership development, the role of middle managers, and the strategic use of emerging technologies like drones and AI to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Resources Mentioned:

- Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes by William Bridges

- The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins

- The Curve by Simon Sinek

Key Topics Discussed

• Leadership and Trust in Policing
• Innovation and Opportunities in Policing
• Career Transitions and Challenges
• Importance of Determination
• Self-Reflection and Improvement
• Middle Management Insights
• Community Engagement and Trust-Building
• Use of Technology in Policing
• Financial Management in Police Departments
• Balancing Professional and Personal Life in High-Profile Roles

Tim continues sharing his professional development story, talking about one of the most significant moves he made in his career. He discusses the pivotal moments and challenges he faced when transitioning from a finance-focused role to becoming a major division's head of finance and operations. This discussion unpacks the professional and personal hurdles, including regrets about initial relationship building, the impact of physical and logistical barriers, and the complexities of managing travel and remote work.

Discover how strategic decisions, cultural shifts, and relentless professional development helped him navigate through this demanding role. They also talk about the importance of having a reliable team, the nuances of cross-functional leadership, and how early decisions shaped his success. From systemic changes and managerial responsibilities to building trust and fostering team morale, this episode is packed with insights on effective leadership and personal growth.

This discussion is about the intricate dynamics of making significant career leaps and what it takes to thrive in the face of overwhelming challenges.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Looking back on finding ways to connect with and build better relationships with key stakeholders
• Physical barriers affecting casual communication and relationship-building
• Professional growth and the importance of learning from experiences
• Promoted to vice president and initial job struggles
• Relocation to California and its logistical and financial difficulties
• Navigating hiring and retention in a highly competitive job market in Silicon Valley
• Balancing professional demands with family responsibilities.
• Importance of reliable team members and fostering strong team dynamics.
• Personal struggles without a dedicated administrative assistant.
• Learning an expanded job role, including logistically planning events

Tim welcomes Ricky Cortez, CEO of MCA Communications, and talks about his journey from starting as an installer in his family's business to becoming CEO. Ricky discusses the initial challenges of prioritizing personal development tasks like coaching, comparing it to the early difficulties of starting a workout routine. Ricky reflects on the essential role of coaching in his leadership growth despite his initial skepticism. He stresses the need for leaders to be coachable and emphasizes the importance of guiding rather than directing team members, fostering their independence and accountability.

Ricky also talks about the impact of his early work experiences on his leadership style, highlighting lessons learned from labor-intensive jobs. He talks about the importance of understanding and solving core business issues through firsthand experience. The conversation also covers the culture of MCA Communications, which encourages taking initiative, viewing failures as learning opportunities, and the ongoing need for adaptation and growth. Ricky also covers the valuable role of mentorship and support systems in his career, advocating for a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being as keys to effective leadership.

To learn more about MCA Communications, visit: https://mcacom.com/

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Importance of leaders being coachable
• Labor-intensive jobs shaping leadership perspective
• Understanding core business issues through hands-on work
• Guiding team members instead of giving direct instructions
• Trust and patience in leadership.
• Encouraging initiative and viewing failures as learning opportunities
• Constant adaptation and growth
• Family support in managing business pressures
• Value of having mentors and a solid support network
• Integrating coaching into personal life
• Finding the balance between work pressures and home life

In this season's premiere, Tim discusses the theme of "making the leap" and explores the intricacies of significant career moves. Tim opens up about his unexpected transition from a thriving director role to a challenging executive position, complete with the hurdles of being younger than his peers, navigating the company's financial cycles, and balancing the arrival of a new child.

Tim also reflects on the importance of mentorship, adapting your skills, and mastering the art of perception management and relationships at an executive level. He shares advice on leveraging tight processes, communicating career aspirations, and driving your own career progression.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Tim's career transformation
• Learning to cope with new changes
• Overcoming self-doubt and creating confidence
• Learning how your role changes as you move higher up
• The importance of communicating aspirations
• The importance of having great mentors

See more at bonafideleaders.com

In this episode of the Bonafide Leaders Podcast, host Tim G. Williams discusses the complexities and nuances of leadership transitions. Covering everything from what leadership transition means, to personal anecdotes of transitions gone wrong, the episode delves into the challenges of change, the importance of communication, and strategies for effective leadership change. With a focus on ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining organizational coherence, Tim shares insights on succession planning, the necessity of overcommunication, and fostering a culture of respect and dignity. Through examples of mistakes and practical tips, listeners are guided on how to manage leadership transitions effectively, ensuring both the organization's and employees' well-being during times of change.