Creating Space - a recasting of my view of leadership and the impact we can make in the work and lives of others.

1. Creating Space -
The Fine Art of Leadership, Management & Life
THOMAS L. WILLIS, PCAM
ASSOCIATION BRIDGE, LLC
VIRGINIA LEADERSHIP RETREAT 2022

2. Well that’s
different…
2 0 X X C o n f e r e n c e p r e s e n t a t i o n 2

3. 2 0 X X C o n f e r e n c e p r e s e n t a t i o n 3

4. Word of the Day: metanoia
NOUN me-tə-ˈnȯi-ə
2 0 X X 4

5. Here we go again
No.
1 Context
No.
2 Trust
No.
3 Culture
2 0 X X C O N F E R E N C E P R E S E N T A T I O N 5

6. Here we go again
No.
4 Fundamentals
No.
5 Communications
No.
6 Creating Space!
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 6

7. 2 0 2 2 V I R G I N I A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 7
Background
Story #1 – The
morphing of a
Concept:
Creating
Space

8. (Not Outer) Space!
Create it
8
Grow it
(or) Shrink it

9. CONTEXT
The bigger your picture
The broader your context
The clearer & wiser your choices
The wider your space for success
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 9

10. Space Creation
Superpower: Teach!
WHY
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 10
Principle vs. ego
It’s a time investment

11. Lables suck. But
you don’t have to.
Created space for metanoia
over 200 times and still
counting…
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 11
Meet Mr. Daryl Davis

12. Create a Space
for Elevation
2 0 V I R G I N I A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 12
DECISION
HEIRARCHY
Values
Vision
Mission
Strategy
Tactics

13. CULTURE
Three Types
Meet people where they are
Accidental Cognitive Dissonance
Culture = Values + Behavior (Simon Sinek)
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 13

14. TRUST
At the core of everyting
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 14

15. Creating space for trust
• Show your
work.
• Don’t wing it.
• Again, let the
data drive the
discussion.
2 0 X X C o n f e r e n c e p r e s e n t a t i o n 15
• Listen to the
wisdom or Mr.
Will Rogers.
• Be humble.
• Listen!
Really.
• Meet them
where THEY
are.
• Again –
elevate to
principle.

16. COMMUNICATIONS
“The single biggest problem in communication is the
illusion that it has taken place”
George Bernard Shaw
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 16

17. Creating space with our
communication
No.
1
Ask more
questions!
No.
2
You are the mean
nun more than you
realize
No.
3
Check your
language gage
2 0 X X C O N F E R E N C E P R E S E N T A T I O N 17

18. Metanoia is really cool
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N I A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 18

19. Thank you for coming along
for the ride.
Go forth and create some space!
2 0 2 2 V I R G I N A L E A D E R S H I P R E T R E A T 19