The Leadership Spotlight continues this week with Jim King. Jim is the VP of School Curriculum at Dave Ramsey’s Office.  Jim has been in this role since coming on board in July of 2006.

Prior to his current position, Jim worked in educational leadership for over 13 years in both the K-12 market and college market. Jim was born and raised in Connecticut, but lives in Thompsons Station, TN with his wife Debbie (married 15 years) and son Dylan (11) and daughter Maggie (8).  Jim enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with his family.

CLo: What is your role in leadership?

JK: VP of department. Setting direction for product development, sales processes, marketing, and overall growth of specific area.

CLo: What is the best advice you’ve ever received about leadership?

JK: Leadership is about relating with people.  In all my years of leading teams, programs, etc., it all boils down to having the skills to relate with various types of team members.  Not everyone responds the same to things.  People have different motivating factors, respond to accountability in different ways, and you have to lead in a way to meet these needs.

 CLo: What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?

JK: Many times leaders think they need to be all things to all people.  Leaders need to understand their strengths and work in those strengths.  Surrounding themselves with strong team members that thrive in areas that compliment the leader leads to success.

CLo: How do you continue to improve yourself as a leader?

JK: Reading is one thing.  Open conversations with team members helps gain feedback.  Constantly assessing/self-evaluating how I handle situations is another.  Telling team members when you handled a situation poorly is very valuable.  It shows your team that you are human, you own up to things, and that you are a strong leader willing to admit mistakes.  This process improves you as a leader.

CLo: How do you invest in others?

JK: Putting books in their hand is a big one.  Another is providing honest feedback, even when they might not want to hear it.  I am working hard in this area because sometimes I don’t do it enough.  In addition, recognizing positive results in a timely fashion.  The extra “pat on the back” goes along way.

CLo: What was the last book you read?

JK: Daniel Pink’s book “Drive”