Michael Timms: Accountability in Leadership

Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast

The Role of Accountability in Leadership

Bio:
Michael Timms is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and best-selling author who helps leaders inspire greatness in their teams. He wrote How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability, praised by leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith, and his first book, Succession Planning That Works, was highly regarded for its insights on developing talent in organizations. Timms leads Avail Leadership, helping organizations build high-performance cultures, and enjoys spending time with family and exploring the wilderness.

Links:

• Michael’s TED Talk: TED Link
• YouTube: YouTube Channel
• LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
• Website: Michael Timms Website

Quotes:

• “You can be an awesome leader in many different respects, but if you fear conflict, you're going to create chaos.”
• “The best leaders care for the people who report to them as much as they care about results.”

Episode Highlights:
Michael Timms shares leadership lessons from his childhood, early encounters with leadership, and his professional journey. He discusses the key role of accountability in leadership and provides insights into how personal experiences shaped his leadership philosophy.

Childhood Incidents:
Michael learned emotional control from a childhood skiing incident when his mother challenged him to stay calm after a bad crash. During a two-year mission with his church, Michael gained leadership experience, making mistakes but learning valuable lessons in the process.

Influential Groups:
Michael credits his parents for shaping his values. His entrepreneurial father was driven and accountable, while his mother, strong-willed and intelligent, instilled in him a love for writing. Both parents pushed him to excel, influencing his approach to leadership.

Groups that Michael Chose to Belong To:
Michael’s leadership skills were developed as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where servant leadership, without power dynamics, is practiced. This experience has deeply influenced his leadership style, focusing on voluntary collaboration.

Temperament and Personality:
Michael describes himself as having a Type A personality but has developed empathy over time. He believes that leaders must balance their drive for results with genuine care for their people.

Cultural Epiphanies:
Michael was surprised to find some leaders who did not hold one-on-one meetings with their teams, a practice he values highly. He emphasizes the importance of hearing every voice and considering all opinions in leadership.

Soapbox Moment:
Michael encourages listeners to watch his TED Talk on leadership accountability, How to Claim Your Leadership Power, and to explore further through his book and his company, Avail Leadership.

What Brings Out the Best in Michael?
Michael thrives when working with organizations that are committed to advancing their leadership skills. He enjoys helping leaders stand out by improving their ability to inspire and lead effectively.

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