Full Transcript for Lead Without a Title With Darrell Williams

00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:50.879 Yeah, one quick thing on that. 00:04:50.879 --> 00:05:09.600 It was so forth um interesting in the beginning when I would go to organizations and after I would kind of give my first pitch or share my first travel White House event or something like that, people would say, Well, I'm not sure what you're telling us is gonna work because in the military they have to listen to you. 00:05:09.600 --> 00:05:12.240 So that doesn't work in the private industry. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:19.439 And what I shared with them, Jackie, was yes, because of the rank structure, people have to listen to you. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:23.439 However, that does not guarantee they're gonna give you their best. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:37.439 And I guess that and that's why leadership is important because you want people in any organization to give you their best, and you want to bring out the best from that individual, and that has nothing to do with rank. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:39.120 Oh, that's so true. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:54.560 If a culture, yeah, if there's not a good sense of culture, I actually just took a survey from my department, and we talked about it in our um in our leadership meeting today, this morning, and it was really neat, thrill, because it was like um, I forget the title of it. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:58.240 It was like uh what's working and and what's not, right? 00:05:58.240 --> 00:05:58.800 Kind of thing. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:03.360 They made it a catchy title and not just employed engagement survey or something like that. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:12.319 So they made it catchy and it was really good because it gave us a chance, it gives us a chance once a year to really assess what's our culture look like? 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:16.319 You know, what kind of things are we doing to keep to stay connected to each other? 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:26.240 Because we uh we work from home, we're we're remote workers, so being able to have that connection that we don't normally get when we're in the office is really really great to have. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:34.399 So yeah, so it's it's important, right, to have that sense of community and and culture as well, um, even in the military, right? 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:36.240 Especially in the military. 00:06:36.560 --> 00:06:37.040 Yes. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:43.439 Because uh yeah, they they have to do a lot of things that some of us would never imagine doing. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:47.600 So being able to keep them motivated, right, is so important, right? 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.680 And have that sense of community and culture. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:53.120 Yeah, that they can they can rely on each other, right? 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:54.720 Yeah, absolutely. 00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:55.839 Yes. 00:06:55.839 --> 00:07:05.920 So many of my listeners are educators and instructional designers like myself who often lead through influence rather than formal authority, like I was just

mentioning with myself. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:10.000 I don't have that title, but I lead in so many different ways. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:17.040 What are some practical ways and that uh they can grow strong, trusted leaders in in those kind of roles? 00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:19.120 No, that's a very good question. 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:24.959 Because a lot of people I talk to, they're quick to say, Well, I'm not in charge of anyone, or it's just me. 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:28.480 And like I always share with them, everyone is a leader. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:31.680 Um, because the first person that you're leading is yourself. 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:35.920 Once you can lead yourself, then you learn to lead others. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:47.680 And for individuals that may not believe that they can do those types of things or don't have that experience, uh, one thing I always share with them is to use a coaching leadership style. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:56.639 Um because really influence is built through relationships and expertise, uh, and definitely not a title. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:06.240 So some of the practical ways that I share with uh people, uh, one is focus on solving uh the problems. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:10.000 Don't worry about your being in charge or not being in charge. 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:16.399 Uh instructional designers and educators often succeed uh kind of when they're acting as a bridge builder. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:18.959 I've seen that in our trained academies. 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:28.160 But instead of pushing a new tool or theory, I would challenge them to ask their colleagues, right, what is your biggest headache right now? 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:37.919 Um, because by fixing a small headache, um, kind of really builds that immediate credibility because you're addressing a pain point. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:44.559 And when every time you gain credibility, um, and it leads to larger initiatives later. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:46.559 Mm-hmm that's wonderful. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:47.519 I love that. 00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:55.679 And I've had some people I spoke to, I would talk to them about kind of looking at using like a consultant approach, right? 00:08:55.679 --> 00:09:06.799 So instead of giving orders or telling somebody what they should do, um, they can ask powerful open-ended questions such as, how might this change impact your students? 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:12.399 Or what does success look like uh for you um here in this situation? 00:09:12.399 --> 00:09:22.879 Uh, because the main thing you'll find out that when you do that and take that approach, it kind of shifts the dynamics from being a boss uh to being a strategic partner. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:32.720 That's what everybody wants, regardless of where you work is a strategic partner, somebody that's in this with me instead of just telling me what to do from afar. 00:09:33.679 --> 00:09:34.480 That's great. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:37.679 I love that combination of being able to do that. 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:46.879 And really, as you mentioned, Daryl, what really stood out to me is the pain points, looking at those pain points and what's your what's your biggest headache, right? 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:48.240 What can we help solve? 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.399 And I think that's so important, right? 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.200 I love that. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:56.960 And then acting as a consultant instead of trying to give orders, yeah, that's so so huge. 00:09:56.960 --> 00:10:06.000 Because you come alongside them and you meet them where they are, and you're able to help them grow and ultimately you grow, right, as an individual as well through that process. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.200 That's great. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:18.080 Um so many of your speaking engagements, you talk about um coaching around leadership, relationships, and purpose, which I think is so key. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:24.399 Um, and with GCU being a Christian university, that really speaks to a lot of my listeners and myself too. 00:10:24.399 --> 00:10:33.120 So when someone feels stuck, stretched thin, or maybe unsure of what their next step should be, how can they begin reconnecting with their purpose in a meaningful way? 00:11:11.009 --> 00:11:19.330 That is a great question, and I tell you, I hear a lot of that um throughout the different organizations that I um speak at. 00:11:19.330 --> 00:11:23.090 And it's just a common thing, it happens to the best of us. 00:11:23.090 --> 00:11:32.530 Uh, I want your listeners to know that there's nothing wrong with them uh feeling that way or going through that type of transition because it is a part of life, right? 00:11:32.530 --> 00:11:37.570 So never look at yourself as, oh my gosh, what's wrong with me, or I've never felt this way before. 00:11:37.570 --> 00:11:40.050 We all grow through something like this. 00:11:40.050 --> 00:11:48.370 Uh one thing I would share with your listeners is kind of look at an approach, I call it the three R's, right? 00:11:48.370 --> 00:11:50.769 It's always good to remember things in threes. 00:11:50.769 --> 00:11:54.690 Um, the first one is kind of re-look at their passion. 00:11:54.690 --> 00:11:59.570 Because normally our passion will lead us back to our purpose. 00:11:59.570 --> 00:12:00.050 Right? 00:12:00.050 --> 00:12:01.330 All of us get off track. 00:12:01.330 --> 00:12:05.009 But when we go back to okay, why did I even get into structural design? 00:12:05.009 --> 00:12:07.009 Why did I become an educator? 00:12:07.009 --> 00:12:19.570 And once you start pulling those layers and you decide, well, these are things that took me away from what I really wanted to do, then you go and find a way to get back uh to that first true love. 00:12:19.570 --> 00:12:23.889 Uh the second R I would say is reconnect with the mentor. 00:12:23.889 --> 00:12:33.170 I said earlier you can get to places a lot faster, a lot quicker uh when you're

working with someone that's been there, done that. 00:12:33.170 --> 00:12:33.730 Right? 00:12:33.730 --> 00:12:38.690 So reconnecting with that mentor helps us uh really get back to our true north. 00:12:38.690 --> 00:12:42.850 Because when we get back on our true north, that's when we normally get back on track. 00:12:42.850 --> 00:12:47.730 Because a lot of times we get in our own way, we don't see those blind spots. 00:12:47.730 --> 00:12:52.450 But our mentor does such a good job of saying, Jackie, why did you do that? 00:12:52.450 --> 00:12:54.610 Or why'd you take that particular role? 00:12:54.610 --> 00:12:56.210 Or why didn't you do that? 00:12:56.210 --> 00:12:58.690 Or why didn't you take that role? 00:12:58.690 --> 00:13:08.769 And by them asking us those types of questions, we kind of peel back the layers and see, wow, maybe I didn't do that because of this or because of that. 00:13:08.769 --> 00:13:15.490 So a mentor can be really critical uh part of that second R to get back uh to our purpose. 00:13:15.490 --> 00:13:20.129 And then the third R is just reviewing options uh to find a coach. 00:13:20.129 --> 00:13:26.450 A lot of people nowadays, especially that are successful, uh, they have a coach, right? 00:13:26.450 --> 00:13:37.490 Somebody that's different from a mentor, where a mentor kind of tells you what to do or what they would do, while a coach kind of brings those things out of you because it's already inside of you. 00:13:37.490 --> 00:13:46.370 So they can help you find those answers, and then you become the owner of the strategy to get back on track. 00:13:47.250 --> 00:13:47.810 That's great. 00:13:47.810 --> 00:13:49.330 I love that with the three R's. 00:13:49.330 --> 00:13:49.730 I agree. 00:13:49.730 --> 00:13:51.889 It's it's easy to remember things in threes. 00:13:51.889 --> 00:13:52.769 I love that. 00:13:52.769 --> 00:14:06.850 You know, and one thing, Jerl, I offer to my students is I always give them that opportunity to stay connected with me beyond the class because it's so important because so many times students will think, oh, I'm just gonna go class to class, instructor to instructor, right? 00:14:06.850 --> 00:14:10.210 And um, and but they don't form those meaningful connections. 00:14:10.210 --> 00:14:16.850 And I think it's so important with their fellow students and with their instructors, as long as the instructor's willing to do it, right? 00:14:16.850 --> 00:14:19.970 Um, I think it's really great to take advantage of that. 00:14:19.970 --> 00:14:21.410 So it's really great. 00:14:21.410 --> 00:14:26.690 I even offer like weekly Zoom meetings with my students if they want it, and some of them don't come. 00:14:26.690 --> 00:14:35.570 And I just think to myself, gosh, if I had that opportunity when I was in my master's going to school online, I would have, I would have taken advantage of it as often as possible. 00:14:35.570 --> 00:14:52.769 So yeah, so it's it's like look at those little gems,

right, of opportunity and see where you can really tap into those because, like you said, it it really helps you to uh to be able to excel faster and to be able to go go to that higher level, right? 00:14:52.769 --> 00:14:56.370 And then you can turn around and pay it, pay it forward to someone else as well. 00:14:56.610 --> 00:15:01.009 No, and you bring up a good point, Jackie, because I do a lot of military transition coaching. 00:15:01.009 --> 00:15:08.050 And when I talk to those veterans, and we start looking at, you know, building their network, reconnecting with the network. 00:15:08.050 --> 00:15:10.290 Okay, what do you want to do outside of military? 00:15:10.290 --> 00:15:18.290 And then once they kind of figure out what that is, then I start going back to let's not even worry about jobs. 00:15:18.290 --> 00:15:19.889 Who can you talk to? 00:15:19.889 --> 00:15:20.450 Right? 00:15:20.450 --> 00:15:28.769 And they'll list maybe a former supervisor or they'll mention this person and that, and I say, Well, tell me a resume, you have a degree. 00:15:28.769 --> 00:15:31.410 It's like, oh yeah, I went to Grand Canyon University. 00:15:31.410 --> 00:15:34.850 I'm like, who in Grand Canyon University can you speak to? 00:15:34.850 --> 00:15:49.170 And it's like peeling back the layers until they finally realize, oh, you know, I did have a professor who offered to stay in contact, and we actually connected on LinkedIn, but I've never exhausted that uh relationship. 00:15:49.170 --> 00:15:50.690 Like, why not? 00:15:50.690 --> 00:15:58.610 Like they are there, they're professionals, they offered it to you, and some of them they look at the degree. 00:15:58.610 --> 00:16:01.410 Well, that was just um ends to a means. 00:16:01.410 --> 00:16:02.850 I'm like, no, no, no, no. 00:16:02.850 --> 00:16:09.810 Getting your degree is part of the journey of building the relationships for a lifetime. 00:16:09.810 --> 00:16:16.930 And if a professor wants you to stay connected, you owe it to yourself uh to keep that relationship growing. 00:16:17.250 --> 00:16:17.649 Right. 00:16:17.649 --> 00:16:19.410 Doesn't happen every time. 00:16:19.410 --> 00:16:26.450 So yes, I would say, yeah, from it for those that are listening that are in the military or getting ready to transition out. 00:16:26.450 --> 00:16:27.970 Yes, yeah, definitely. 00:16:27.970 --> 00:16:38.530 You're you're uh giving them wise counsel because uh yeah, go back to those contacts and those professors and just say, Do you remember me when I was in this class? 00:16:38.530 --> 00:16:48.129 Yeah, keep keep records of them, you know, and and you know, because I have some students that will say, Do you remember when I had when you were my instructor in this class and this class? 00:16:48.129 --> 00:16:53.490 And I'm like, Yes, I do remember that, but you have to recall their memory because they're not always going to remember. 00:16:53.490 --> 00:16:59.889 I've taught, you know, 60 something classes, so it's gonna be hard to remember that many students. 00:16:59.889 --> 00:17:04.690 So yeah, so it's good to be able to recall their memory on that. 00:17:04.690 --> 00:17:17.250 So um, so I would, yeah, it's always good to keep records of things and just kind of know, you know, what you did where and and all of that, because it really helps to go back to that at some point as well. 00:17:17.250 --> 00:17:18.529 Yeah, that's great. 00:17:18.529 --> 00:17:19.410 I love that. 00:17:19.410 --> 00:17:28.930 Yeah, and I love how you how you are connecting with those that um and giving them coaching, you know, when they're coming out of a military career, because that can be challenging, right? 00:17:28.930 --> 00:17:35.009 To to come out of that military career and then go into civilian career and make that transition. 00:17:35.009 --> 00:17:38.930 So that's great that you're helping them to make that a little bit easier. 00:17:38.930 --> 00:17:41.490 So it's not as much of a bumpy ride for them. 00:17:41.490 --> 00:17:45.169 Yes, yeah, that's great. 00:17:45.169 --> 00:17:49.889 So I wanted to do a quick bonus question, and we can spend some time on this one. 00:17:49.889 --> 00:17:52.689 This one's really great too, because I love these bonus questions. 00:17:52.689 --> 00:18:03.569 Um, given your experience leading in high-pressure environments like in the military, right, and in government, what is one leadership lesson you learned under pressure that still shapes how you coach others today? 00:18:04.129 --> 00:18:05.809 Hmm, very good question. 00:18:06.449 --> 00:18:07.089 Yes. 00:18:07.970 --> 00:18:22.769 So I'm looking at this one earlier, uh, I would say, I kind of narrow it down, that one leadership lesson that I learned, wow, especially under pressure, that shapes how I coach others and helping them. 00:18:22.769 --> 00:18:35.649 Uh I would definitely say it's the fact of them realizing that uh everything that they need, uh they already have it inside of them. 00:18:35.649 --> 00:18:41.250 Uh they just need to match that skill with the current situation. 00:18:41.250 --> 00:19:01.490 I was on so many trips, uh, especially supporting a president or vice president, where this didn't work well, or this equipment went bad, or this situation changed on us in a minute, or this phone line got cut accidentally at the airport before the plane showed up. 00:19:01.490 --> 00:19:10.129 And I always reminded everybody when I get enough more equipment, when I get more bodies, and we're not gonna get more time, right? 00:19:10.129 --> 00:19:13.009 Everything we have to figure this out is right in the circle. 00:19:13.009 --> 00:19:16.369 So let's start thinking outside of the box. 00:19:16.369 --> 00:19:17.089 Right? 00:19:17.089 --> 00:19:21.569 And I challenge those individuals, you know, what what are you really good at? 00:19:21.569 --> 00:19:25.250 And then somebody may say, you know, I I love reading. 00:19:25.250 --> 00:19:31.329 I'm

like, okay, so where did you read about if a phone line got snapped or cut? 00:19:31.329 --> 00:19:33.009 Like, what are some other options? 00:19:33.009 --> 00:19:40.049 Like, and instead of being pressured um toward people, Jackie, like, hurry up, figure this out. 00:19:40.049 --> 00:19:42.209 We only got 30 minutes, right? 00:19:42.209 --> 00:19:48.609 All that does is make people feel even more uncomfortable, they're unsettled, they can't think. 00:19:48.609 --> 00:19:54.449 Um, but when you remain calm and they're like, Daryl, the phone line just got cut. 00:19:54.449 --> 00:19:56.769 Like, oh, that's unfortunate. 00:19:56.769 --> 00:19:59.889 Okay, so now that it's cut, what are our options? 00:19:59.889 --> 00:20:09.970 And what I found, it's almost like when you have children, Jackie, the first time they fall down, they look at you, and if you're hysterical, they're gonna get hysterical. 00:20:09.970 --> 00:20:13.569 But if you're calm, then they're gonna stay calm. 00:20:13.569 --> 00:20:21.329 And that was the leadership style that I used a lot when something crazy happened, like a phone line getting cut accidentally before the plane arrived. 00:20:21.329 --> 00:20:23.569 It's like, okay, it's cut, right? 00:20:23.569 --> 00:20:26.209 We still have about 30 minutes. 00:20:26.209 --> 00:20:28.209 Whatever, what are our options? 00:20:28.209 --> 00:20:39.970 And what I found is when you do that with people, instead of making them nervous, you're basically empowering them to, hey, let's figure this out together. 00:20:39.970 --> 00:20:49.809 I don't know the answer, you don't know the answer, but I'm almost positive together we can come up with some option that's gonna at least get us to a plan B. 00:20:49.809 --> 00:20:54.449 And every time, I can tell you, Jackie, they never let me down. 00:20:54.449 --> 00:20:59.889 They always came through and said, Well, you know, we could try this or we could do that. 00:20:59.889 --> 00:21:05.730 And then once they come up with that answer, I would say, Okay, what's your part in this solution? 00:21:05.730 --> 00:21:10.289 And then what do you need me to do to help you be successful? 00:21:10.289 --> 00:21:20.689 And they'll say something like, Well, we probably need to call the next trip site or the next uh location where he's gonna go after he leaves the airport. 00:21:20.689 --> 00:21:24.449 And I'll say, Okay, I'll make that call, but you take care of the other part. 00:21:24.449 --> 00:21:27.409 And we always figured it out together. 00:21:27.409 --> 00:21:32.929 And I would always remind them, like, hey, that was a crazy situation that we went through, right? 00:21:32.929 --> 00:21:36.609 Let's make sure we pass that on when we do our trip report. 00:21:36.609 --> 00:21:40.769 Like, if this happens, here's some options you can do to fix it. 00:21:40.769 --> 00:21:44.529 But Jackie, I would always remind those individuals when the trip was over. 00:21:44.529 --> 00:21:48.529 It's like, hey, you

help be a part of that solution. 00:21:48.529 --> 00:21:53.009 It wasn't me as a trip lead or the trip officer, right? 00:21:53.009 --> 00:21:57.009 It was all of us working together as a team. 00:21:57.009 --> 00:22:09.009 So I may not be with you on your next trip, but if something happens that's crazy, you can still use those same techniques that we use, and that's how we get better as an organization. 00:22:09.009 --> 00:22:15.649 That's how our culture grows, and we all become troubleshooters instead of Darrell keeping all the answers to himself. 00:22:15.649 --> 00:22:18.609 Like that doesn't do anything for the organization. 00:22:18.609 --> 00:22:23.970 I want to duplicate that process and then let everybody know you don't have to be Daryl to do that. 00:22:24.289 --> 00:22:24.689 Right. 00:22:24.689 --> 00:22:25.490 I love that. 00:22:25.490 --> 00:22:27.970 That's a great story, too, that you shared. 00:22:27.970 --> 00:22:34.209 Uh yeah, it's I think you know, it's great because people learn through storytelling and and examples. 00:22:34.209 --> 00:22:36.849 So being able to imagine that and oh my goodness. 00:22:36.849 --> 00:22:42.769 Yeah, I can imagine being in the air and all of a sudden that happens and people want to panic right away, right? 00:22:42.769 --> 00:22:46.769 It's but keeping your nervous system regulated, I think, is so important. 00:22:46.769 --> 00:22:53.730 You probably learned that, I'm sure you learned that in the military, the importance of keeping yourself calm and giving yourself those deep breaths. 00:22:53.730 --> 00:23:01.169 And and so you were able to help people come back to that center and say, okay, let's just stay calm. 00:23:01.169 --> 00:23:02.689 What's the next best thing? 00:23:02.689 --> 00:23:15.250 Because it's true when when you're under pressure and you're you can't think you can't think as straight as you would, you know, if you're calm and regulated and able to think through those ideas and solutions better. 00:23:15.250 --> 00:23:15.649 Yeah. 00:23:15.970 --> 00:23:16.209 Yeah. 00:23:16.209 --> 00:23:25.809 And then sometimes um leaders make the mistake when they're talking to people and they'll say, Well, everybody's gonna get butterflies, you just need to get rid of them. 00:23:25.809 --> 00:23:31.569 The reality in my life that I've learned is butterflies don't go away. 00:23:31.569 --> 00:23:35.970 It's just a part of that nervous system that causes a reaction. 00:23:35.970 --> 00:23:41.009 So instead, what I tell people, Jackie, is hey, the butterflies aren't going anywhere. 00:23:41.009 --> 00:23:47.809 So how about just for that next hour or that next 45 minutes that you have to do, what it is you need to do? 00:23:47.809 --> 00:23:55.569 Just work out a compromise with the butterflies and ask them, hey guys, just for this next 45 minutes, can we just walk in the same direction? 00:23:55.569 --> 00:23:57.649 Can we just stay in formation? 00:23:57.649 --> 00:24:02.129 And then after those 45 minutes, you can go to whatever direction you want to go in. 00:24:02.129 --> 00:24:06.929 But for this time, let's walk together, let's go in the same formation. 00:24:07.250 --> 00:24:08.049 I love that. 00:24:08.049 --> 00:24:10.049 Wow, I'll have to try that now. 00:24:10.049 --> 00:24:13.730 Because yeah, you do no matter how many times you speak, right? 00:24:13.730 --> 00:24:19.490 You still get the little butterflies in your stomach, that little nervousness, like, oh, can I do this? 00:24:19.490 --> 00:24:21.730 And can I do it in front of 80 people? 00:24:21.730 --> 00:24:22.049 Right. 00:24:22.049 --> 00:24:24.049 So yeah, exactly. 00:24:24.049 --> 00:24:29.409 So I I find that the the breaths, uh, the breathing techniques really helps, you know. 00:24:29.409 --> 00:24:34.449 Uh is it four breaths in and then hold for two and out six, I think is what it is. 00:24:34.449 --> 00:24:36.049 And they teach it in the military too. 00:24:36.049 --> 00:24:37.730 So yeah, yeah. 00:24:37.730 --> 00:24:44.209 Because you have to be able to be able to keep yourself regulated under those high pressure situations, right? 00:24:44.209 --> 00:24:45.569 So that's important. 00:24:45.569 --> 00:24:46.529 Absolutely. 00:24:46.529 --> 00:24:47.889 Yes, I love that. 00:24:47.889 --> 00:25:00.369 So, Gerald, as we close, what's one final piece of encouragement or advice you would leave with educators and instructional designers like myself who want to lead with greater purpose, confidence, and impact in their lives? 00:25:01.569 --> 00:25:02.769 Very good question. 00:25:02.769 --> 00:25:06.289 And again, this can go across industries. 00:25:06.289 --> 00:25:14.209 Um, people that have come back and talked to me about things that they've overcome and they actually testify that this does work. 00:25:14.209 --> 00:25:17.730 It's not easy, but I'm telling you it works. 00:25:17.730 --> 00:25:22.529 And that is get comfortable, being uncomfortable. 00:25:22.529 --> 00:25:26.929 Again, get comfortable, being uncomfortable. 00:25:26.929 --> 00:25:34.929 Um, most leadership growth happens um when we are challenged or pushed out of our comfort zone. 00:25:34.929 --> 00:25:54.049 If you even look back over the years and look at all the areas where you really grew and those moments that you grew, I'm almost sure 90% of those times were situations where you did not want to be involved, you did not want to be a part of it, you didn't ask for it, it was thrown upon you. 00:25:54.049 --> 00:25:55.409 But guess what? 00:25:55.409 --> 00:25:58.929 Being uncomfortable, you figured it out. 00:25:58.929 --> 00:26:06.849 I don't care how long it took you, I don't care how many people you had to go talk to, um, you found a way to get through that uncomfortableness. 00:26:06.849 --> 00:26:19.730 And what's good about that process is it forces you to utilize gifts and talents um that are inside of you, but a lot of time they're just dormant, right, until they are

truly needed. 00:26:19.730 --> 00:26:25.250 And most of the time those skills come up during high pressure situations. 00:26:25.250 --> 00:26:31.329 Um a lot of people look back over to the military and say, No, why did they call them in for this natural disaster? 00:26:31.329 --> 00:26:33.329 Or why did they call them in to do this? 00:26:33.329 --> 00:26:35.569 Are they really trained to do that? 00:26:35.569 --> 00:26:41.329 Sometimes they're not, but they trust their training, right? 00:26:41.329 --> 00:26:47.329 They trust their team and they trust the fact that we're here to take care of others. 00:26:47.329 --> 00:26:57.569 So as long as that's our true north, it's gotta be a better way of doing it, so we're gonna figure that out because you know we're serving others instead of ourselves. 00:26:57.569 --> 00:27:04.929 And so a lot of times in the military, again, we get very comfortable being uncomfortable. 00:27:04.929 --> 00:27:08.129 Uh a lot of people say, Oh, that's easy for you, you're in the military. 00:27:08.129 --> 00:27:09.169 I don't care. 00:27:09.169 --> 00:27:11.649 Every time I have to speak, I still get uncomfortable. 00:27:11.649 --> 00:27:14.689 It's not an easy thing to do. 00:27:14.689 --> 00:27:24.129 But when you realize, hey, what I have to say is gonna help this audience, then again, I take the reflection off of me and put it back on someone else. 00:27:24.449 --> 00:27:25.730 Hmm, that's great. 00:27:25.730 --> 00:27:26.689 I love that. 00:27:26.689 --> 00:27:29.250 Yeah, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 00:27:29.250 --> 00:27:29.970 I love that. 00:27:29.970 --> 00:27:40.529 Yeah, because so many of us today, and I I think I used to think it this way too, Darrell, is that I thought, I don't want to get myself into a weird situation or uncomfortable situation. 00:27:40.529 --> 00:27:41.409 But it's true. 00:27:41.409 --> 00:27:47.490 You if you're just comfortable all the time, that's not where you learn and grow, stretch and stretch yourself, right? 00:27:47.490 --> 00:27:58.369 So I think you learn through those hard situations or those uncomfortable situations where you're like, hmm, this was not the best feeling to have, but uh but it passes, right? 00:27:58.369 --> 00:28:00.529 It's not something that is there forever. 00:28:00.529 --> 00:28:03.649 It's you you get over that and get past that. 00:28:03.649 --> 00:28:08.929 So, and then you can look back on it and learn from it at the very end of that, right? 00:28:09.089 --> 00:28:13.089 So absolutely no, and you think about it, those are the best stories that we tell. 00:28:13.089 --> 00:28:24.849 Because I don't care what conference you go to, what um alumni gathering you go to, one of the first things you say is, remember that time when we had to come up with that new curriculum and they didn't give us a lot of time. 00:28:24.849 --> 00:28:26.849 How in the world did we do that? 00:28:26.849 --> 00:28:30.049 Like those are the stories that come up

immediately. 00:28:30.449 --> 00:28:31.649 Right, exactly. 00:28:31.649 --> 00:28:32.609 I love that. 00:28:32.609 --> 00:28:50.369 Yes, I you know, and even earlier this summer, I was really busy working on a bunch of curriculum and some programs, and we went all the way through, worked on the program, and then the college was like, nope, we got to put this on hold for a little bit because it was a new type of program that we hadn't worked on before. 00:28:50.369 --> 00:28:54.929 And the Department of Education, we knew it was going to take time for them to approve it. 00:28:54.929 --> 00:28:57.089 So we had to halt it, put it on hold. 00:28:57.089 --> 00:28:59.970 And uh at first I was like, that's a setback. 00:28:59.970 --> 00:29:00.449 Oh no. 00:29:00.449 --> 00:29:03.730 But then I thought, no, it'll it'll work out in good time. 00:29:03.730 --> 00:29:09.490 And what's funny is that I just heard from the assistant dean earlier today in a meeting, and she's like, guess what? 00:29:09.490 --> 00:29:15.889 Since we don't have to have approval for department through department of education anymore, we can now get that program through. 00:29:15.889 --> 00:29:17.169 I'm like, great. 00:29:17.169 --> 00:29:21.649 So all that work that we did now it's you know, it's come to fruition. 00:29:21.649 --> 00:29:23.089 So you just never know. 00:29:23.089 --> 00:29:29.329 Sometimes you can be in a really tough spot where you're like, oh, did that is that work gonna really mean anything? 00:29:29.329 --> 00:29:31.730 But yeah, it ended up, you know, helping us. 00:29:31.730 --> 00:29:36.049 Now we don't have to go and do that program and we can just put it right through. 00:29:36.049 --> 00:29:37.009 So it's great. 00:29:38.049 --> 00:29:38.289 That's all. 00:29:38.689 --> 00:29:43.649 Yeah, that's neat when you when you have those situations and you're like, okay, the work wasn't all in vain. 00:29:43.649 --> 00:29:45.089 It was well worth it. 00:29:45.089 --> 00:29:46.209 For sure. 00:29:46.209 --> 00:29:47.329 Definitely. 00:29:47.329 --> 00:29:48.129 Great. 00:29:48.129 --> 00:29:57.250 Well, thank you so much, uh, Jarell, for your time and for coming into the podcast today and sharing your uh thoughtful and encouraging insight with my listeners. 00:29:57.250 --> 00:30:02.129 I know they'll take away a lot from your perspective on leadership purpose and personal growth. 00:30:02.129 --> 00:30:08.529 For anyone that wants to keep learning from you and and keep in touch with you, what's the best way to follow you or connect? 00:30:09.409 --> 00:30:09.809 Sure. 00:30:09.809 --> 00:30:14.369 Um, they can uh look me up through Alliance Seminars Coaching. 00:30:14.369 --> 00:30:16.689 Um though they're still on Facebook, right? 00:30:16.689 --> 00:30:18.129 You can find me there. 00:30:18.129 --> 00:30:22.689 Um, but obviously most people are on Instagram, so you can find me there as well. 00:30:22.689 --> 00:30:27.730 And then our website is alliance seminarscoaching.org. 00:30:27.730 --> 00:30:32.849 Um again, just trying to make myself a resource for others. 00:30:32.849 --> 00:30:39.889 Uh, I just feel like you know, it'd be a shame to have all these different ideas and experience and not share with others. 00:30:39.889 --> 00:30:48.449 So everybody that knows me, know me as a connector, someone that tries to put you in the room with the right people that can at least help you or guide you. 00:30:48.769 --> 00:30:49.409 I love that. 00:30:49.409 --> 00:30:49.970 That's great. 00:30:49.970 --> 00:30:51.970 Networking is so important today. 00:30:51.970 --> 00:30:53.809 Yeah, so that's that's wonderful. 00:30:53.809 --> 00:30:57.169 And I when I checked out your website, I was like, wow, this is great. 00:30:57.169 --> 00:31:00.689 I love it because you you really do help people connect. 00:31:00.689 --> 00:31:06.129 And and like you said earlier, no matter what industry it's in, they can they can have that connection. 00:31:06.129 --> 00:31:13.169 And it doesn't have to just be uh a certain certain discipline or certain area, but it can be all all across the board. 00:31:13.169 --> 00:31:14.209 So that's great. 00:31:14.209 --> 00:31:15.329 I love that. 00:31:15.329 --> 00:31:15.889 Great. 00:31:15.889 --> 00:31:17.649 Well, thank you, Daryl, uh, Darrell. 00:31:17.649 --> 00:31:20.289 I look forward to having you back on the show anytime. 00:31:20.289 --> 00:31:21.970 And I know we'll stay connected. 00:31:21.970 --> 00:31:24.369 We're on LinkedIn together, uh, connected that way. 00:31:24.369 --> 00:31:30.289 So I look forward to keeping the connection going and um and and having you back on the show anytime. 00:31:30.289 --> 00:31:36.529 If there's anything that you wanted to touch more on with leadership and coaching, uh feel free to come back on. 00:31:36.529 --> 00:31:37.649 You're welcome anytime. 00:31:38.049 --> 00:31:38.769 No, thank you. 00:31:38.769 --> 00:31:50.369 And feel free to reach out to me if you come across any type of topics or trends that you feel that I can be assistance to instructional designers or those educational leaders. 00:31:50.369 --> 00:31:53.009 Um, please don't hesitate to contact me. 00:31:53.409 --> 00:31:53.649 Great. 00:31:53.649 --> 00:31:54.689 Thank you, Geral. 00:31:54.689 --> 00:31:55.490 I appreciate it. 00:31:55.490 --> 00:31:56.609 Or appreciate your time. 00:31:56.609 --> 00:31:58.689 Thank you. 00:31:58.689 --> 00:32:04.129 Thank you for taking some time to listen to this podcast episode today. 00:32:04.129 --> 00:32:06.369 Your support means the world to me. 00:32:06.369 --> 00:32:15.169 If you'd like to help keep the podcast going, you can share it with a friend or colleague, leave a heartfelt review, or offer a monetary contribution. 00:32:15.169 --> 00:32:20.929 Every act of support, big or small, makes a difference, and I'm truly thankful for you.