Be the Leader That You'd Like to Follow with Scott Williams

This week I was so lucky to sit down with Scott Williams, Trinity
alumnus '89, for the Living Leadership Interview segment. Scott
and I met when I was 19 and was one of my early mentors at
Trinity. Since that time, we've maintained a close relationship,
which was heightened during his time serving on the Trinity
University Alumni Association Board.


 Scott and I discuss the Situational Leadership model and
his leadership philosophy and principles. He details important in
and out-of-class mentors he had at Trinity and the value of
meeting others where they are and seeing them for who they are.
Scott describes why leaders must connect with individuals and why
it would actually be unfair to treat everyone the same. He says
that if you treat everyone with respect and build a foundation of
trust, you can meet people where they are and bring out the best
in them. This conversation about focusing equity, rather than
equality, is important for us all to hear.


Four years ago, Scott and I appeared on the Trinity University
Podcast Network for a discussion on race, education, mentors, and
modern-day athlete activism. I encourage you to give that
conversation a listen as it is really different from this
episode, but can provide you important context for what makes
Scott tick. Reflections on Life, Trinity, and the American Dream
(https://soundcloud.com/user-936731397/reflections-on-life-trinity-and-the-american-dream) 


The episode concludes with my lecture on chapter 5 of the 9th
edition of Peter G. Northouse's "Leadership: Theory and
Practice." During the segment, I provide an overview of Hersey
and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model, discuss details
about the connection between a leader's style and the follower's
developmental level, and why it's essential that leaders engage
in conversations with their team members.


Let me know your reactions to my chat with Scott. Reach out to
both of us on Twitter (@TingleJK and @scottwilli75or LinkedIn and
let's keep the conversation going