Leadership Lessons from a Loving Father

Last month I watched the movie, King Richard.?It is the story of Richard Williams, the father of the world-famous tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.?Richard Williams is a man many did not understand. Some people found him to be controversial and confusing.?Nevertheless, it is clear from this wonderful film there are several leadership lessons to learn from him, a loving father who worked hard to help his daughters achieve remarkable success.

Lesson 1: Have a vision and a plan.

The man many viewed as “crazy” and “maniacal” was a wise man with a vision.?He had a vision for his daughters and a detailed plan—which he often talked about and doggedly stuck to.?Many people could not see or understand his vision.?Yet, he did not let that dissuade him or cause him to waver.?He instilled strong beliefs in his daughters.?Long before they became celebrated household names, he told Venus she would become the #1 tennis player in the world, and he told Serena she would be called the greatest of all time!?Think about the extraordinary prescience of those words!?It takes absolute confidence to say what he said.?But he was not just all talk.?He also backed it up with hard work and persistence.

The lesson for leaders everywhere is evident.?Do you have a plan??Do you have it down in writing??What gets written often gets done because there is something to look at and hold oneself accountable for.?Rather than a series of nebulous undocumented thoughts, writing out a detailed plan provides guidance and clarity.

Lesson 2: Believe in yourself even when others don’t.

Another lesson to take away from Richard Williams is the importance of believing in ourselves even when others don’t.?Leaders have to create a vision then rally others to it.?Leaders inspire others through their words and example.?Once people start to see the vision come into focus, they are often amazed at what they could not see but that only the leader could see with their leadership lens.?

I coined the phrase “I turn ‘Why’ into ‘How’!”? as a result of my work as a leader creating strategies and executing when others did not believe in what I envisioned and often vociferously questioned WHY I was doing what I was doing.?After my strategy proved successful, the very people questioning me would ask HOW I did it and HOW can they do it.?

Lesson 3: Leadership starts at home.

This movie resonated with me as a leader from more than an organizational level.?Richard Williams was a loving father who fought for his family's survival and their future.?As a new father of a daughter, I saw areas where I should take notes.?

Richard set goals for his daughters very early.?He had a disciplined regimen for them and made time to do things as a family that was fun and refreshing.?He made sure they paid attention to their religious life and their education.?In fact, if they were not making straight A’s, he would not let them play tennis.?This led to Venus and Serena being able to think for themselves and make good decisions on their own, which would serve them well on the tennis court and in life.?Truly a fine example in setting priorities as a family head. ?

This area of leadership Richard Williams demonstrated served as a fine reminder to me that leadership starts at home.?One must be a leader in the family and take care of the most important people in life first.?This involves setting priorities and clear boundaries.?Being a good leader at home can translate to other areas of life where one is called on to lead.?Our children must see a good example and feel loved if they are going to follow our lead and develop as mature, independent adults.

Yes, more than just an entertaining and enlightening movie, "King Richard" truly provides "Leadership Lessons from a Loving Father." May you, dear reader and leader, remember the value of creating a vision and a plan, believe in yourself even when others don't, and remember that leadership starts at home!?

Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2022

I am excited to share I've been recognized as #32 on the list of "The Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2022" by leadersHum!

It is truly an honor to be named among many peers I love and respect, along with industry luminaries like Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and Marshall Goldsmith, along with MANY of my fellow 100 Coaches! The full list is available here: https://bit.ly/3rveQBj

Forefront—Powered by 100 Coaches

Three years ago, Marshall Goldsmith, the World’s #1 Executive Coach and Leadership Thought Leader, launched 100 Coaches to bring together top coaches and leaders as part of his mission to “pay it forward” by supporting and teaching everything he knows to this elite group in imitation of the qualities of his heroes who had freely shared their knowledge with him to develop his career. I’m proud to be one of the 100 Coaches Marshall is pouring himself into.?I’m all the better as a result.

He just announced in his newsletter he is expanding his mission by launching Forefront, an annual cohort of next-generation coaches and leadership development professionals. Learn more about this wonderful initiative in Marshall’s own words by visiting https://bit.ly/3KA5kpe. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity!?Apply by visiting https://www.100coaches.com/forefront/. Tell Marshall, Eddie sent you!

Book of the Month Recommendations

Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company

My friend and fellow Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches member, Whitney Johnson released Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company on January 11, 2022.

??Get your copy on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3rDHCzJ

?? Listen to my interview with Whitney about her podcast and her last book on the Keep Leading!? podcast! https://bit.ly/31U1j8x ?

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion For Dummies

My friend and fellow National Speakers Association colleague Dr. Shirley Davis released her hew book Diversity, Equity & Inclusion For Dummies on January 12, 2022.

??Get your copy on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3AnfC7p

The Success Factor: Developing the Mindset and Skillset for Peak Business Performance

My friend and fellow Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches member, Dr. Ruth Gotian releases her new book on January 25, 2022.

??Get your copy on Amazon! https://amzn.to/31AhFIk

?? 60 Second Preview of my interview with Dr. Ruth Gotian about her new book! ??

Visit https://bit.ly/3wLxYx7 for the entire episode!

Podcast of the Month Recommendation

My good friend Dr. Patrick Leddin is the host of the “Leadership Lab” podcast. It is one of the top-rated Leadership podcasts available.?Visit https://leddingroup.com/podcast/

I recommend this podcast because of its quality and the amazing guests.?I also had the honor of being a guest on this incredible podcast.?My episode is available at: https://leddingroup.com/episode-122-discover-the-perfect-coach-with-eddie-turner/

How Motivational Speakers Stay Motivated

The "Thrive!" Podcast

Dr. Soliman, MD interviewed me on his podcast in early 2021. He released it this month for the first time for all to hear.

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Eddie Turner 2021 Year In Review

About Eddie Turner

Top 10 Ranked Motivational Speaker in the World—Global Gurus | Preeminent Authority on Emerging Leaders—Forbes | Certified Executive Coach | International Best-Selling Author | Master Facilitator | Former C-Suite Radio Host of the Keep Leading!? Podcast | Member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches | #ICFCoachoftheWeek | Top 25 Thought Leader—Thinkers360 | Top 30 Biggest Voice in Leadership to Watch for 2022 —leadersHum | Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Alum: Public Leadership

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