In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Quintin Shepherd. Quintin has18 years’ experience as a superintendent and currently holds that leadership role at Victoria Independent School District in Victoria, Texas. He has a demonstrated history of improving school districts in both rural and urban areas in multiple states by being committed to transformational and collaborative leadership focus on doing what is best for the children in each district. Quintin is the co-author of the book “The Secret To Transformational Leadership,” together with Sarah Williamson.

Some Questions I Ask:

• Please share your journey in education and how you became a superintendent (1:38)
• What are some high-level projects you initiated in your school district? (4:25) 
• Why did you feel compelled to write the book and what do you hope people will achieve when they read it? (7:50)
• You offered specific examples where you said there is a change that needs to happen. What are some of those examples? (10:05)
• What is your philosophy about competence versus compassion, and how has it transformed your personal approach? (13:14)
• Describe what you call this new language of leadership and explain its potential to ignite a spark in leaders and their teams? (15:56)
• What does “leading from the middle” mean to you, and how can others apply it? (21:11)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Quintin’s journey in education and leadership (1:47)
• Projects Quintin supported in his school district (4:37)
• His journey into writing “The Secret to Transformational Leadership” (8:16)
• The differences between transactional and transformational leadership (10:22)
• Competent and compassionate philosophies of leadership (13:21)
• What Quintin means by calling for a new language of leadership (16:21)
• How to lead from the middle (21:17)

Quotes:

“Everybody has a unique and personal genius, and I think we should find their genius and let their genius shine.”

“My goal was to make this topic as approachable as possible for people. there's a theoretical underpinning. You're basically trying to learn a different language when you're working toward transformational leadership.”

“Compassion creates ownership. It seems so easy as I'm saying it! But it requires the leader to step back and just be honest about one thing: that you're vulnerable. You don't choose to be vulnerable. You don't pick a time to be vulnerable. You're just vulnerable, accepted. And when you recognize a situation as complex and unknowable, you have no choice but to be compassionate. Because if you decide to be competent, whatever it is that you do, you will be judged—and you will be judged harshly.”

“My personal definition of leadership: iIt's an influence relationship. That's it. So anybody can be a leader.”

Connect with Quintin Shepherd:
Quintin Shepherd's LinkedIn
Quintin Shepherd’s Twitter

Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook