Tim talks to Ellen Barker, a seasoned professional and retired senior VP and CIO of Texas Instruments in this episode of Bonafide Leaders. Ellen shares her journey, highlighting her experiences with coaching, mentoring, and major career decisions post-retirement. She discusses the value of both internal and external mentors, focusing on how each provides unique insights crucial to professional growth. Ellen also reflects on her post-retirement transition, weighing personal commitments like family roles before deciding to join a publicly listed company board, driven by her desire for intellectual stimulation and impact.

Ellen and Tim also talk about pioneering her efforts in advocating for flexible work arrangements, particularly during a time when such practices were uncommon. She successfully negotiated a business plan for telecommuting to balance her professional and personal life, breaking conventional corporate norms. The episode also touches on Ellen's involvement in STEM initiatives, her unique career path, and her approach to managing stress and work-life integration.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Ellen Barker's experience with coaching
• Importance of internal and external mentors
• Career decisions post-retirement and joining a board
• Promoting flexible work arrangements
• Ellen's impact as Tim’s only female boss
• STEM initiatives and gender biases
• Career awareness and education for girls in STEM
• Ellen's approach to managing stress and work-life balance
• Overcoming career challenges and unexpected opportunities
• Relocation challenges and professional growth

In this episode, Tim welcomes Art L. George Jr., a celebrated leader with an illustrious career at Texas Instruments (TI). Art shares his unique journey from an early engineering role in Sherman, Texas, to becoming a pivotal figure in TI's analog and high-performance linear businesses. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including a divorce and experiences with racial prejudice, Art's story is one of resilience and determination.

They discuss his strategic career moves, from managing smaller teams to overseeing central business units and eventually joining corporate boards. Art emphasizes the importance of asking for what you want, mentoring others, and the critical role of strong professional relationships. He also discusses scaling management techniques, maintaining work-life balance, and the influence of mentors in shaping his leadership path. He also gives powerful insights on navigating career challenges, fostering authentic leadership, and the power of mentorship.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Key Topics Discussed:

• Managing Precision Analog and Amplifiers and Interface (PAI) and its evolution
• The significance of taking lateral or backward steps for long-term career growth
• Personal challenges including navigating a divorce and the professional implications
• Strategies for handling personal crises in leadership roles
• Transition to a post-TI career with aspirations in public for-profit board service
• Why it is important to ask for what you want in life and get mentorship
• Managing complexity and scaling teams from smaller to larger business units
• The role of mentorship in Art’s Career
• Personal anecdotes about overcoming racial challenges in his career

Tim welcomes Derick Miller, Irving's Chief of Police to explore the important relationship between leadership, trust, and innovation in policing. They discuss the importance of aligning words with actions to build community trust and emphasize the need for innovation, discussing advances like AI in dispatch. Derick also shares a personal story illustrating the impact of effective emergency response, reinforcing his respect for emergency services.

The episode also tackles career transitions, focusing on maintaining motivation and effectiveness through different career stages. They offer insights into avoiding complacency and embracing challenges, emphasizing the importance of perspective, continuous learning, and compassion when faced with difficult decisions. They also discuss leadership development, the role of middle managers, and the strategic use of emerging technologies like drones and AI to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement.

To connect with Tim, visit: www.BonafideLeaders.com

Resources Mentioned:

- Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes by William Bridges

- The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins

- The Curve by Simon Sinek

Key Topics Discussed

• Leadership and Trust in Policing
• Innovation and Opportunities in Policing
• Career Transitions and Challenges
• Importance of Determination
• Self-Reflection and Improvement
• Middle Management Insights
• Community Engagement and Trust-Building
• Use of Technology in Policing
• Financial Management in Police Departments
• Balancing Professional and Personal Life in High-Profile Roles