3. Gia Truong - Leading through Proximity, Equity and Sharing Power

What do you do when you get the report on the brutal truth and know you can’t solve it alone? How do you lead by staying close to the problem you are leading to solve? When do you know it is the right time NOT to seek that next larger, high position, but to focus on joy? In this episode, Ryan interviews Gia Truong, a leading figure in education and social equity, who shares her journey from being a high school teacher in San Francisco to becoming the managing partner at Equity & Proximity New Profit, a national venture philanthropy organization. Gia reflects on her career transitions, her experiences with systemic racism, and her commitment to leading with community. She emphasizes the importance of being vulnerable, leveraging positional power to uplift marginalized voices, and finding joy and balance in one's career. Gia's leadership style, characterized by high standards and an unwavering belief in potential, has significantly influenced students' success and the broader educational community. 00:00 Introduction to Gia Truong 03:38 Gia's Early Leadership Journey 04:56 Transition to Formal Leadership 07:29 Facing Challenges and Imposter Syndrome 10:03 Navigating Complex Leadership Situations 13:40 Embracing Vulnerability and Collective Wisdom 24:36 The Power of Transparency and Inclusion 33:55 Embracing Intergenerational Wisdom 35:27 Navigating Generational Differences in Leadership 38:22 The Importance of Internal Work for Leaders 39:28 Career Trajectory and Redefining Leadership 41:15 Finding Joy and Purpose in Leadership 47:23 The Role of Proximity in Social Entrepreneurship 54:55 Challenges and Obstacles in Leadership 01:02:06 Final Reflections and Call to Action “Part of what communities have learned is what sustains. Educators sustain educational leaders sustain social justice activists, right? It's being a part of a community. You never feel like you're alone. You never feel like you have to have the answers, but together – and through joy too, right? Not just through hardship, but through joy and play that you can stay in the work and that you can create a better world.” Links: Gia joins New Profit https://newprofit.org/impact-story/gia-truong-joins-new-profit-as-managing-partner-of-equity-and-proximity/ Envision Public Schools - where Gia was CEO https://envisionschools.org/ Urban Promise Academy - where Gia and Ryan worked together https://urbanpromise.ousd.org/ National Equity Project - where Ryan first met Gia https://www.nationalequityproject.org/ Lead Liberated https://www.leadliberated.org/about-lead-liberated/ - - - Follow us: @e.g.exceptionallygood https://www.instagram.com/p/DCk8pcourAOm81qleR5vtwQRvSY7emrC0ZARNY0/?igsh=MW0wOWZkNHM3M2Rldg== Recommend a leader to be a guest: https://forms.gle/GzHAYmzueE3UnarY6 Feedback - Help us improve: https://forms.gle/aXempCSq2rvdfrCz9 Help us cover costs - give $5, $10, $25, $50 or $?? at our Donorbox: https://donorbox.org/support-leaders-striving-for-exceptional-good-in-the-world Producer, editor and host: Ryan Maxwell Theme music: Ryan Raddatz Guitar music: Adeline’s Guitar The views shared on this podcast are those of my guests and the host(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of any employer.