Leadership Greater Topeka: TJ McDonald

TK: What is the best advice you have been given? 

When I was in car sales, I was told this “Take care of the customer and the money will follow; if you go chasing the money you will never get it.” I use that every day in my job. The other one I go was from Brandon Aldridge (my boss) he said “W.A.I.T” as in “why am I talking” this showed me that it is better at times to just sit back and listen and take in the information rather than controlling the conversation.

TK: What is the most important characteristic that every leader should possess? Why? 

Humility. Not everything a leader says will be the right answer. It shows great strength to admit you are wrong and go with another idea even if it is not yours.

TK: What motivates or inspires you? 

Seeing people succeed after helping them, whether it be through personal development or coaching.

TK: How has the current situation impacted your thoughts on leadership?

The pandemic has really robbed us of the full experience but I feel our class is coming together with what we have learned so far and trying to continue to push forward as much as possible, I feel it’s almost rallying us around each other.

TK: What will you do differently after the pandemic?

I have learned to delegate more and trust in other people’s abilities and opinions, so that is something I will do differently after all of this.