If you’ve ever wondered what it really feels like to lead a company when everything’s out of your hands, this episode will resonate. Bill Derrick shares his journey helming a family construction business through the 2008 recession, then battling incurable cancer—all while reexamining what leadership and control really mean.

You’ll pick up how Bill balanced company vision with people-first leadership, learn about letting go when life throws the unthinkable at you, and explore the practical ways he found support amid uncertainty. We also get into reframing loss, living "in between," and advice he'd give his younger self. Tune in for a raw look at leadership under pressure.

Connect With Bill Derrick
Website: https://www.billderrick.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billderrick/

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Chapters
00:00 Becoming a Leader of People
00:38 Breaking Down Real Leadership Pressure
01:21 Facing the Unexpected: Cancer and Recession
02:00 Illusions of Control in Business
02:32 Where Control Really Comes From
03:11 First Signs the Recession Was Different
04:26 When Selling Wasn’t an Option
04:36 The Realization It Could Get Worse
05:38 Leading Without Certain Answers
06:05 Projecting Calm Amid Unknowns
07:19 Facing a New Storm: Health Crisis
08:00 Questioning the Link Between Stress and Illness
08:20 From Business Storms to Personal Storms
08:43 Releasing Control and Trusting Others
09:01 Shifting From Outcomes to People
09:42 Why Bill’s Leadership Evolved
10:17 The Two Things You Can Control
10:42 Making Decisions During Unpredictable Times
11:26 Seeking Advice and Humility in Leadership
12:22 Leaders Don’t Have All the Answers
13:05 Living “In Between” Storms
13:51 Embracing a New Normal
15:07 The Difference Between Failing and Quitting
15:51 Turning Loss Into an Advantage
16:12 Health’s Unexpected Blessings
17:58 What Truly Matters After Losses
18:23 Advice to a Younger Self
20:06 Being Ready to Pivot When Plans Fail
21:33 The Power of Asking for Help
22:10 Where to Find Bill and His Work