Episode 494 Leading with Pride in Turbulent Times with Jim Fielding

Welcome to the latest episode of Build a Better Agency! In this engaging discussion, host Drew McLellan is joined by veteran leader Jim Fielding to explore what it takes to be an authentic and effective leader in today’s ever-changing landscape. With a wealth of experience garnered from his impressive career in retail and media, including at Disney and DreamWorks, Jim sheds light on being true to oneself while navigating the complexities of leadership.

Throughout the episode, Jim shares his personal journey, including the motivations behind his book "All Pride, No Ego: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically." He highlights the internal challenges and triumphs he's faced in embracing authenticity as a leader from a marginalized community. Jim offers universal advice on overcoming self-imposed barriers and being vulnerable in leadership—core themes that resonate across industries and identities.

Drew and Jim delve deep into the critical aspects of managing during tumultuous times, focusing on controlling what you can, communicating transparently with your team, and maintaining flexibility to adapt to uncertainty. Jim also emphasizes the importance of building diverse, high-performing teams and the business case for diversity and inclusion, especially in client-facing industries like agencies. 

Don't miss this enlightening conversation filled with actionable insights on how to foster a culture of trust, respect, and exceptional leadership. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this episode promises a wealth of knowledge to enhance your leadership journey. 

A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

• • Embracing vulnerability as a leader during uncertain times 
  • Importance of over-communication with team members and clients
  • Creating a diverse team to reflect and understand the client base
  • Listening to team feedback to mitigate blind spots
  • Balancing pride and ego for effective leadership
  • Finding and utilizing your personal board of advisors for guidance
  • Encouraging innovation and diverse perspectives within your team