The Collage Podcast: Episode Summary Title: The Essence of Leadership: A Community Perspective
Host: Feed My Sheep
Release Date: May 11, 2025

Introduction and Context

In this heartfelt episode of The Collage Podcast, produced by Feed My Sheep in Temple, Texas, host Jeff engages in a profound conversation with three esteemed guests—Bryn Myers, Heather Bates, and Natalie McAdams—to explore the multifaceted nature of leadership within the community. The discussion is anchored in the belief that every individual matters, highlighting the intrinsic worth and dignity of each person.

Guest Introductions

Bryn Myers (00:02:37): Bryn, the City Manager of Temple, shares her journey from Killeen to Temple, emphasizing her long-term commitment and fulfillment in her role. She reflects on the importance of leadership in public service and her dedication to her community.

Heather Bates (00:05:26): Heather, the Director of Communications, Tourism, and Events, introduces herself and highlights her recent contributions, including organizing over 40 lunch boxes for the community. Her role underscores the significance of effective communication in leadership.

Natalie McAdams (00:06:50): Natalie, the Director of Libraries and Museums, announces her departure from Temple to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Her contributions to the Temple Public Library and the Railroad Heritage Museum are lauded by her peers, illustrating the impact of dedicated leadership.

Defining Leadership

The conversation delves into the essence of leadership, with each guest providing their unique perspectives:

Natalie McAdams (09:37): "Leadership is a role that you typically are forced to fulfill because you are seeing that no one else is doing it. So it's a calling that people have to not only pave a way for others to be able to do something, but also to pull them through that, knowing that they have that capability."

Bryn Myers (10:31): "Leadership is casting a vision. So folks want to go with you where you're going and then helping to make that journey possible. So clearing hurdles, making sure that resources are available to accomplish, you know, get to the vision."

Heather Bates (05:45): Highlights the importance of communication in leadership, emphasizing her role in managing communications, tourism, and events to support the community effectively.

Requirements of Leadership

The discussion transitions to the essential qualities every leader should possess:

Jeff (13:23): Proposes that "good communication skills" are fundamental for leadership.

Bryn Myers (13:48): "If you don't have people following you, you're just going on a nice long walk by yourself. It is about being able to influence people and take people with you."

Natalie McAdams (15:05): "To be a good leader, you need to have empathy because you need to be able to understand that we are not at work in, in this microcosm, that there are things going on in our lives all the time that could affect where we are mentally, physically."

Heather Bates (13:30): Underscores the necessity of effective communication and people skills in leadership roles.

Good vs. Bad Leadership

Exploring the dichotomy between effective and ineffective leadership, the guests share their insights and personal experiences:

Bryn Myers (31:59): "When somebody cares way more about getting credit for something than that's a good one, than just doing than seeing the good thing get done, then you start having some really poor decisions being made in leadership."

Heather Bates (32:22): "Someone who can't communicate clearly and get people on board with them... it's not going to be fun."

Natalie McAdams (34:57): Reflects on a personal mistake where she prioritized tasks over her team's growth, emphasizing the importance of not being overly self-focused as a leader.

Personal Experiences and Anecdotes

The guests share poignant stories that illustrate the challenges and responsibilities inherent in leadership:

Jeff (19:16 - 21:55): Recounts a conversation with a General from Fort Hood, discussing the heavy burdens leaders bear, especially in high-stakes environments like the military. The General emphasizes the moral weight of decisions that can result in loss of life, highlighting the profound responsibility leaders hold.

Bryn Myers (27:57 - 29:51): Describes attending shift change briefings at the police department following a tragic event, witnessing the unwavering dedication of first responders. This experience underscores the selfless nature of true leadership.

Natalie McAdams (46:11 - 48:31): Shares her struggle in identifying great leaders due to their inherent flaws, ultimately highlighting the importance of grace and self-compassion in leadership roles.

Nature of Leadership: Born vs. Made

The conversation shifts to the debate on whether leaders are inherently born or developed through experience:

Bryn Myers (39:07): "It's a combination... you're born with some innate characteristics... but anyone is not born ready to lead with all the necessary skills. It has to be developed throughout life."

Heather Bates (40:39): Supports the idea of a combination, noting that personality traits are innate but leadership skills require continuous nurturing and growth.

Bryn Myers (42:35): "We are all leaders... it depends on the extent... sometimes I'm a leader in one area and not in another."

Jeff (43:19): Emphasizes that everyone leads in some capacity, regardless of their position, reinforcing the notion that leadership is a universal trait.

Sphere of Influence and Responsibility

The discussion highlights how leadership impacts various scales within the community and beyond:

Bryn Myers (43:47): "The more senior you get, the more responsibility you have for others. You don't really get to do what you just want to do."

Jeff (43:21): "Sphere of influence may be slightly different... but decisions in smaller spheres are just as important as those in larger ones."

Bryn Myers (44:10): Illustrates how small decisions can have far-reaching effects, akin to the butterfly effect, impacting individuals' lives in significant ways.

Concluding Insights

The episode wraps up with a reflection on the universal nature of leadership and its foundational principle:

Bryn Myers (54:31): Shares a metaphor about leading people to build a ship for an ocean journey, emphasizing the importance of casting a compelling vision rather than micromanaging the process.

Jeff (62:37): Concludes with a powerful statement: "If you are listening to this, you are a person. And then you must make the logical step to say you matter as well. It's that simple. And that is how a community changes."

Final Message: The episode reinforces the central belief that every individual plays a role in leading and shaping their community. By recognizing the inherent worth of each person and embracing the responsibilities of leadership, Temple continues to thrive and evolve.

Notable Quotes

• Bryn Myers (00:10:31): "Leadership is casting a vision. So folks want to go with you where you're going and then helping to make that journey possible."

• Natalie McAdams (00:09:37): "Leadership is a role that you typically are forced to fulfill because you are seeing that no one else is doing it."

• Jeff (19:16) [00:19:16]: "They must believe that I would never ask them to do something that I wouldn't do myself. And that the mission is bigger than them."

• Bryn Myers (31:59) [00:31:59]: "When somebody cares way more about getting credit for something than just doing and seeing the good thing get done, then you start having some really poor decisions being made in leadership."

• Jeff (62:37) [00:62:37]: "If you are listening to this, you are a person. And then you must make the logical step to say you matter as well. It's that simple. And that is how a community changes."

This episode of The Collage Podcast offers a deep and nuanced exploration of leadership, emphasizing empathy, vision, and the profound impact leaders have on their communities. Through personal stories and thoughtful discourse, Jeff and his guests illuminate the true essence of what it means to lead with integrity and purpose.