Podcast Summary: "Dr Adriane Johnson-Williams: Why Every Leader Needs a Brushstroke Strategy"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Mick Unplugged
• Host: Mick Hunt
• Episode: Dr Adriane Johnson-Williams: Why Every Leader Needs a Brushstroke Strategy
• Release Date: June 28, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of "Mick Unplugged," host Mick Hunt welcomes Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams, a distinguished scholar, strategist, and advocate dedicated to transforming conversations around racial equality, education, and leadership. Dr. Adrienne brings a wealth of experience from classrooms to boardrooms, emphasizing the profound impact of modern leadership principles.

Uncovering the 'Because' Behind Leadership

Mick Hunt begins the conversation by probing into Dr. Adrienne's core motivation, asking, "What's your 'Because'—that thing that's deeper than your why, like your core purpose that's fueling all the work that you're doing?" (01:16)

Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams responds thoughtfully, stating:

"I really fundamentally believe that every single human being has something beautiful and wonderful to offer... we actually diminish our collective power... because we don't value human beings." (01:50)

She elaborates that her driving force is the conviction that eliminating systemic barriers allows individuals to reach their full potential, thereby benefiting society as a whole.

The Catalyst for Change

Mick delves into the pivotal moment that steered Dr. Adrienne toward her mission. He asks, "When did you know that this was the work you were destined to be doing?" (02:50)

Dr. Adrienne recounts her transformative experience attending a boarding school at age 14 in Memphis, Tennessee. She observed the disparity between her privileged educational environment and the limited resources available to her friends back home. This realization ignited her passion to address and eliminate such gaps, leading her to focus on education and economics instead of her initial interest in mechanical engineering and physics.

From Conversations to Action

Transitioning to the theme of actionable leadership, Mick inquires about Dr. Adrienne's approach to moving organizations and individuals from dialogue to meaningful action (04:47).

Dr. Adrienne emphasizes the importance of commitment and readiness, asserting:

"I'm not going to work with you if I don't believe that you are ready to do the work." (05:10)

She explains her selective approach to client engagement, ensuring that those she works with are prepared to make necessary sacrifices and tackle challenges head-on. Furthermore, she highlights the concept of making a "brushstroke" on a larger canvas—a metaphor introduced by her professor, Gloria Ladson Billings (07:40). This philosophy underscores the significance of individual contributions to solving big problems, ensuring that each action is purposeful and impactful.

Reflective Practice and Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Mick steers the discussion toward the role of self-reflection in effective leadership, noting its increasing importance in the modern leadership landscape (08:56).

Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams asserts:

"Reflective practice is important for everybody, every profession, if you want to get better." (09:15)

She elaborates on how taking time to assess what works and what doesn't fosters emotional intelligence and enhances interactions with others. This introspection is crucial for personal growth and for leaders to genuinely understand and address the needs of their teams.

Navigating Leadership in the Information Era

The conversation shifts to the challenges and changes in leadership dynamics brought about by the information age. Mick discusses the shift from authoritative leadership models to ones that value transparency and emotional intelligence (10:00).

Dr. Adrienne critiques traditional leadership models where leaders claim to have all the answers, emphasizing the loss of collaborative problem-solving and the importance of humility and openness:

"What we lost with that leadership model... people who were in that room who had better answers and the person didn't have enough ego... to say, I don't know, what do you think?" (10:40)

She advocates for a leadership approach that embraces uncertainty, encourages dialogue, and values diverse perspectives.

Facilitating Tough Conversations on Equity

Mick praises Dr. Adrienne for her efforts in leading difficult conversations about equity and probes into her methodologies (12:53).

Dr. Adrienne shares her strategy of initiating discussions with white identity, particularly when addressing predominantly white groups. By confronting whiteness directly, she fosters an environment where individuals can honestly assess their roles within systemic structures. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining dignity, kindness, and honesty, ensuring that conversations remain respectful and constructive.

"That's really. I think my special sauce is starting with people... who the people are who are in power in these systems." (13:16)

Actionable Steps for Addressing Inequity

When asked for practical advice for listeners facing equity challenges in their environments, Dr. Adrienne offers two key steps (15:17):

1. Clarify Your Vision: Define what equity looks like in your specific context to avoid aimless efforts.

2. Understand the Root Causes: Analyze why things are the way they are to identify actionable areas where you can effect change.

She believes that clarity and understanding pave the way for effective and sustainable progress.

Mentorship vs. Sponsorship

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship in leadership development (16:09).

Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams explains:

"I've benefited more from sponsorship than I have from mentorship in my life." (16:33)

While mentorship provides guidance, frameworks, and emotional support, sponsorship actively facilitates advancement by opening doors and advocating for the mentee in influential circles. She underscores that sponsorship requires proactive participation and readiness to seize opportunities, contrasting it with the more passive nature of mentorship.

Mick echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of sponsorship in bringing mentees into decision-making spaces and supporting their ascent.

Personal Insights: Quick Five

The episode wraps up with the "Quick Five" segment, offering personal glimpses into Dr. Adrienne's life:

1. Favorite Memphis Meal: Vinegary collard greens with pulled pork, complemented by hominy and cornbread (23:16).

2. Self-Care Ritual: Listening to audiobooks while enjoying nature from her porch in an arboretum (24:07).

3. Recent Book Impact: Although primarily reading Romantasy novels, Dr. Adrienne finds leadership lessons in the series "The Fourth Wing," particularly appreciating its portrayal of disability advocacy and the resilience of its characters (24:37).

4. Most Inspiring Person: Marianne Orquilla, founder of the Center for Community Investment, whose mentorship profoundly influenced Dr. Adrienne's approach to impactful work (25:44).

5. One Word that Captures Her Mission: Humanity (26:54).

Conclusion and Call to Action

In closing, Dr. Adrienne shares her ongoing projects, including supporting white men in business leadership roles focused on racial equity and launching a consumer research project to better understand their challenges (27:13). She can be followed on LinkedIn and Instagram under Adrian Johnson-Williams or Dr. A.J.W.

Mick thanks Dr. Adrienne for her invaluable insights and encourages listeners to "remember your because is your superpower" and to take actionable steps toward their next level of leadership and personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams (01:50):

  "Every single human being has something beautiful and wonderful to offer... we actually diminish our collective power... because we don't value human beings."

• Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams (05:10):

  "I'm not going to work with you if I don't believe that you are ready to do the work."

• Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams (09:15):

  "Reflective practice is important for everybody, every profession, if you want to get better."

• Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams (10:40):

  "What we lost with that leadership model... people who were in that room who had better answers and the person didn't have enough ego... to say, I don't know, what do you think?"

• Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams (16:33):

  "I've benefited more from sponsorship than I have from mentorship in my life."

Final Thoughts:

This episode of "Mick Unplugged" offers a deep dive into the essence of impactful leadership through the lens of Dr. Adrienne Johnson Williams. Her emphasis on understanding one's core motivations, the importance of both mentorship and sponsorship, and the necessity of reflective practice provide valuable lessons for leaders aiming to foster equity and drive meaningful change.