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