Trust in Crisis: Lessons in Leadership with Tami Heim

In this inspiring episode of the WiLD Leaders podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Tami Heim, CEO of Christian Leadership Alliance and former President of Borders Inc., to explore the unshakable importance of trust in leadership—especially during moments of crisis. Tami reflects on her leadership journey through disruptive times, offering insights into building trust, embracing collaboration, and navigating the highs and lows of achievement.

Listeners will hear how she turned challenges into opportunities, including managing through the rise of e-commerce giants, leading under pressure, and creating systems that drove lasting change. Tami shares her commitment to lifelong learning, the value of mentoring relationships, and why pausing to reflect on the "why" behind decisions often leads to the best outcomes.

Key Leadership Takeaways

1. Trust is Tested in Crisis: Trust is cultivated over time but is truly revealed and refined when challenges arise.
2. Fail Forward: Embrace mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, and reflect on both successes and failures for continued improvement.
3. Collaborative Leadership: Empowering others to contribute, innovate, and adapt often leads to greater outcomes than working alone.
4. Focus and Flexibility: Knowing when to pivot and prioritize can be the difference between surviving and thriving in turbulent times.
5. The Power of Reflection: Leaders must take time to think critically and deeply about their decisions to ensure they align with long-term goals.