Bonafide Leaders

Tim G Williams

In the Bonafide Leaders podcast, host Tim G Williams shares his leadership journey through life and work, from individual contributor to Vice President and Special Adviser to the CEO, working for 22 years in a Fortune 200 corporate environment in finance, operations, and strategy, to founding Bonafide Leaders. While helping run and operate billion-dollar businesses, he discovered a deep passion for organizational health, and in leading and developing people and teams. He shares his passion for partnering and working with leaders, particularly in business, technology and the non-profit spaces, aiming to augment their leadership in authentic and inspirational ways. See more at bonafideleaders.com.

  1. 15H AGO

    Leaders Back from the Brink - Navigating Dreams and Disappointment

    Tim kicks off season 4 alongside co-host Erin Gregor, focusing on the valuable lessons that setbacks, failures, and challenges can teach leaders at every stage of their journey. Tim opens up about his personal experiences, taking listeners through a difficult four-year stretch in his late teens and early twenties when his dream of becoming a professional basketball player unraveled despite his hard work and ambition. He describes the disappointment and emotional toll of missed opportunities and false promises, highlighting how these valleys in his life ultimately led to deeper resilience, self-awareness, and a new direction in business and leadership. They also discuss how leaders can benefit from reframing their perspective during hard times. Instead of asking "why me," Tim encourages people to ask, "what can I learn from this?" This shift in mindset, he explains, helped him process setbacks and eventually led to breakthroughs in his career and personal growth. Key Topics Discussed: The importance of authentic leadership and focusing on real impact, not just titlesTim's personal story of pursuing a basketball dream, facing repeated setbacks, and learning from disappointmentThe transition from athletics to a business career, and how those lessons shaped his approach to leadershipThe value of reframing how we process setbacks—asking what instead of whyInsights into resilience, emotional growth, and owning your path, even when it strays from your original planThe intention for season 4: to share candid stories of failure and resilience in leadership

    1h 5m
  2. 06/30/2025

    Sports, Discipline, and Entrepreneurship: The Leadership Playbook of Dr. Ashley Spector

    Tim sits down with Dr. Ashley Spector, a chiropractor with a diverse background in sports and science, to discuss her journey from being a Navy brat who moved frequently as a child, to a Division 1 collegiate rower, and ultimately to running her own chiropractic practice. Dr. Ashley shares how her early experiences with various sports shaped her understanding of teamwork, resilience, and leadership, and how those lessons have been influential in her business and personal life. She also opens up about the challenges of starting a business, the importance of mentorship, and the skills learned through sports that translate directly into professional and leadership success. The conversation covers Dr. Ashley’s passion for movement, her holistic approach to health, and her insight on leadership—especially when it comes to empowering and trusting staff. Dr. Ashley discusses how sports taught her discipline, prioritization, the value of "enjoying the suck" in tough times, and the skills she applies daily as a business owner and leader. To find out more about Dr. Ashley's practice, visit: https://spectorchiropracticdfw.com/index.html Key Topics Discussed: Dr. Ashley’s upbringing as a Navy brat and frequent movesEarly exposure to a wide variety of sports (gymnastics, figure skating, martial arts, volleyball, rowing)Transition into team sports later in childhoodExperiences and lessons from playing team and individual sportsRowing at the Division 1 college level and the discipline it requiredThe connection between athletic experiences and her career in chiropracticAcademic and career pivot from chemistry to chiropracticStarting and running her own chiropractic practiceThe business, leadership, and personal challenges of entrepreneurshipThe importance of mentorship in businessApplying lessons from sports to leadership and managing a teamAdapting leadership communication styles for different generationsThe role of movement and self-care for business owners and mental wellbeingAdvice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, especially without a business background

    1h 11m
  3. 06/16/2025

    Overcoming Adversity and Shaping Vision: Dr. Michael J. Sorrell's Leadership Journey

    Tim welcomes Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, longtime president of Paul Quinn College, for a powerful conversation about leadership, upbringing, and how sports helped shape his leadership style. Dr. Sorrell discusses his formative years growing up on the south side of Chicago, describing a childhood surrounded by hardworking entrepreneurs, a loving family, and rich community traditions. He highlights the unique blend of street smarts and formal education shaped by his parents' entrepreneurial success, especially his father's lessons in both business and life. Dr. Sorrell shares how experiences in competitive sports and challenging academic environments molded his outlook. He talks about having to navigate environments where he was misunderstood or underestimated, particularly as a student-athlete. The episode explores his transition from sports and law to a surprising career in higher education, including pivotal life moments that led him to leadership at Paul Quinn, and how faith and a sense of calling guided his decision-making. To find out more and connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com Key Topics Discussed: Dr. Sorrell’s upbringing in Chicago and family background in entrepreneurshipHow exposure to different environments and cultures influenced his worldviewThe importance of community investment and supporting broader communities, not just personal circlesLessons learned from both street smarts and formal educationHis journey through sports: from baseball to basketball, and the impact of coaching (positive and negative)The experience of being a student-athlete and the challenges and benefits it broughtEarly professional experiences in law, sports management, and businessOpportunity with the NBA, decision making, and ultimately choosing to lead Paul Quinn CollegeThe role of faith, calling, and resilience in leadership and personal growthThe transformation and mission of Paul Quinn College under his presidency

    1h 9m
  4. 06/02/2025

    From the Soccer Field to C-Suite: Charles Bryce on Leadership, Family, and Daily Discipline

    In this episode, Tim welcomes Charles Bryce, the dynamic CEO of Charlin Health Services and a former Division I soccer athlete. Charles brings a unique perspective from his journey, having moved from the discipline of sports to the demands of business leadership, all while navigating the complexities of running a family-owned, faith-based healthcare organization. Charles shares his honest struggles with leadership and overwhelm, the lessons learned from years as both an athlete and a clinician, and how coaching helped him develop the habits and mindset to serve both his family and his company more effectively. They talk about the parallels between sports and business, the importance of self-care for leaders, and the power of daily routines—and you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how discipline, teamwork, and even a little bit of soccer strategy can transform your approach to leadership. To learn more about Charles, you can find him at: https://charlinhealthservices.com/ And his YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@charlinhealthservices/videos You can also connect with Tim at www.BonafideLeaders.com Key Topics Discussed: The transition from sports discipline to business leadershipCharles’ background: soccer career, health care, and family businessThe impact of executive coaching on self-awareness and leadership effectivenessBuilding daily habits and routines (“the daily eights”) for self-care and productivityOvercoming overwhelm and building confidence as a young leaderParallels between playing striker in soccer and solving business challengesNavigating the challenges of family-owned businesses and working with loved onesWisdom shared by mentors and the power of learning from othersUse of AI in healthcare to improve efficiencyThe importance of giving back through coaching and community involvement

    58 min
  5. 05/19/2025

    A Leader's Formation: Dr. Conway Edwards on Sports, Faith, and Community

    In this episode, Tim sits down with Dr. Conway Edwards, the lead pastor of One Community Church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They begin by reminiscing about how they first met and the strong emphasis both place on authentic leadership. Dr. Conway shares personal stories from his upbringing in Jamaica, highlighting the impact sports—especially track and field and soccer—had on developing his mindset around competition, teamwork, and leadership. As the conversation continues, Dr. Conway opens up about the pivotal role of community throughout his life, discussing how lessons from sports translated into leadership, business, and ministry. He explains how his desire for education was born from both necessity and inspiration and breaks down advice for aspiring leaders, stressing the importance of ongoing learning, character development, and community involvement. To learn more about One Community Church, visit: https://visitonecc.com/ To get more information about Bonafide Leaders, visit: BonafideLeaders.com Key Topics Discussed: The importance of community and collaboration over individual achievementDr. Conway’s childhood and sports experiences growing up in JamaicaThe culture of competition in Jamaican schools and its long-term impactDr. Conway’s role models in sports (track and field, soccer) and outside of sportsDr. Conway’s journey to the United States for college through sports scholarshipsLessons learned from setbacks and doors closing (e.g., missed athletic opportunities)Why One Community Church prioritizes community and what that means in practiceDr. Conway’s educational journey and passion for lifelong learningThe connection between faith, leadership, and business within the churchHow to cultivate leadership skills over time (learning, mentoring, immersion)Honest discussion about the church as both a spiritual and operational organization

    56 min
  6. 05/05/2025

    Leadership Frameworks: From Sports Coaching and Executive Coaching

    In this episode of the Bonafide Leaders podcast, Tim continues to explore the intersection of sports, business, and leadership by drawing parallels between experiences on the basketball court and in the workplace. Tim shares insights from his journey as a student athlete, focusing on the valuable, transferable skills he developed through sports, such as load management, resilience after losing or failing, perseverance, work ethic, and understanding the nuances of human relationships. He discusses how these skills have shaped his professional and personal life, providing examples from his college years balancing academics, athletics, and relationships, as well as early lessons learned about winning, losing, and maintaining perspective. The conversation then moves to Tim’s transition into coaching, highlighting the importance of understanding various roles—player, coach, spectator, and official—and how knowing one's current role can be vital for success and growth. Tim recounts his early coaching experiences, from youth camps to running an AAU boys’ basketball team, and details the responsibilities involved in coaching, such as recruiting, practice planning, motivating players, team budgeting, and managing parents expectations. To learn more or connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com References from the Episode: Book references: First Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni Movie Reference: King Richard (Venus and Serena) Key Topics Discussed: The four key roles in sports and how they relate to business teamsFive essential transferable skills Tim learned as a player:Tim’s transition from player to coach and early coaching experiencesRecruiting and developing talent in both sports and businessThe importance of effective communication and giving feedbackHandling conflict, negotiation, and adaptability in leadershipCreating structure and value in meetingsContinuous reflection and analysis for growthEncouragement for listeners to get involved in coaching and leadership opportunities

    1h 10m
  7. 04/21/2025

    Beating the Impossible: From a Cancer Diagnosis to Race Across America

    In this episode of Bonafide Leaders, Tim welcomes Dan Rembold, Vice President at Texas Instruments, accomplished cyclist, devoted family man, and leukemia survivor. Dan shares his remarkable journey—from his early days as a multi-sport athlete and his passion for technology, to the unexpected life-altering cancer diagnosis that changed everything. Dan then shares that while he living his dream life with an incredible career at Texas Instruments, raising a family of five children, and building his dream home, his world was changed forever with a leukemia diagnosis. He talks about how his competitive spirit and resilience that was honed through years of athletic and professional challenges, became vital tools in his fight for survival. Dan opens up about navigating a devastating diagnosis, the support systems that carried him through, and how he used goal-setting and a coaching mindset to persevere in the face of seemingly impossible odds. From taking on a 100-mile bike race to conquering Race Across America as the first bone marrow transplant leukemia survivor, Dan’s story is a testament to the power of grit, mindset, and faith. Books Mentioned In this Episode: Living Medicine: Don Thomas, Marrow Transplantation, and the Cell Therapy Revolution by Frederick Appelbaum Grit by Angela Duckworth 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Covey To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com Key Topics Discussed: Early memories and the role of sports (soccer, swimming, cross country) in his upbringingHow the competitive spirit shaped Dan’s approach to work and leadershipThe sudden leukemia diagnosis and the emotional/mental impactNavigating treatment, including chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and recoveryThe importance of mindset, resilience, and coaching oneself through adversityReturning to work and the workplace community’s supportSetting and achieving new goals after recovery—specifically, the Race Across AmericaHow lessons from sports apply to business, team leadership, and family lifeAdvice for those facing serious illness and for their caretakers/loved ones

    1h 2m
  8. 04/07/2025

    Exploring leadership through football: A Father and Son’s Journey

    In this episode, Tim sits down with Kevin Chadwick again, but this time, he also welcomes his son, Kevin Junior (KJ), to explore the intersection of leadership, parenting, and a child's pursuit of their own greatness. Kevin discusses his journey of coaching his son from a young age in Texas to now playing Division 1 college football, highlighting the challenges and joys of balancing career and fatherhood. He shares insights on the importance of being present in his children's lives and how sports have served as a valuable platform for instilling leadership qualities. KJ provides his perspective as a student-athlete, detailing the rigors of balancing a mechanical engineering major with football commitments. He expresses gratitude for the guidance and lessons learned from both his father and coaches. He also discusses how he can't settle for where he's at and must be focused on continual improvement, how he had to overcome difficult times during the pandemic to fulfill his dream, and how he focuses on building relationships with his teammates. To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com Key Topics Discussed: Balancing career and family presence in children's sportsFather-son dynamics in coaching and mentorshipThe path from youth sports to Division 1 footballThe impact of COVID on college recruitmentWork-life balance and prioritization for athletesLeadership lessons from sports and how they are applicable in businessThe significance of relationships in teamworkConstructive feedback and continuous improvementLearning to meet people where they areSports performance may be objective, but data and video don't lie

    1h 17m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In the Bonafide Leaders podcast, host Tim G Williams shares his leadership journey through life and work, from individual contributor to Vice President and Special Adviser to the CEO, working for 22 years in a Fortune 200 corporate environment in finance, operations, and strategy, to founding Bonafide Leaders. While helping run and operate billion-dollar businesses, he discovered a deep passion for organizational health, and in leading and developing people and teams. He shares his passion for partnering and working with leaders, particularly in business, technology and the non-profit spaces, aiming to augment their leadership in authentic and inspirational ways. See more at bonafideleaders.com.