#29 Leadership Insights from my Conversation with Dr. Matt Willmington

Host Mark Cundiff shares five takeaways for growth-minded leaders from a prior Learning to Lead Show episode with Dr. Matt Wilmington (Episode 28), a longtime mentor known for asking probing questions.

The episode theme is “Leading Inside Out,” emphasizing that leading from external pressures and performance leads to burnout, especially mid-career, while the real mission flows from the inside out.

Cundiff highlights lessons from leading volunteers at Thomas Road Baptist Church: in volunteer environments, you must motivate rather than manipulate and focus on the currency of mission, meaning, belonging, and clarity (and in corporate settings, respect, growth, purpose, flexibility, recognition, and trust).

He reinforces that leaders never outgrow the fundamentals—mission, values, strategy, and role clarity—and that “vision leaks,” so repeating the vision is necessary.

Wilmington also stresses recruiting as critical: slow down hiring or pay later, using The 6 Cs

1. Christ Life
2. Character
3. Creed
4. Calling
5. Competence
6. Chemistry

He uses a red/yellow/green interview debrief tool; desperation hires become expensive organizational debt.

Finally, Cundiff shares Wilmington’s onboarding insight: new hires should be trained not only on tasks but also on the leader’s communication style, rhythms, expectations, and what success looks like, to avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Cundiff encourages listeners to download the episode and leader notes, subscribe, share, and leave a five-star rating.

00:00 Welcome + Why Dr. Matt Wilmington’s Questions Matter
01:16 Takeaway #1: Lead Inside-Out (Avoid Mid-Career Burnout)
02:27 Takeaway #2: What Volunteers Teach—Motivate, Don’t Manipulate
03:24 Takeaway #3: The Basics Never Graduate (Mission, Values, Strategy, Clarity)
04:32 Takeaway #4: Recruiting Is the Game—Slow Down Now or Pay Later
06:42 Takeaway #5: Onboarding That Works—Train Them to the Leader
08:25 Wrap-Up: Episode 28 Resources + Subscribe/Share

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🔎 About LeaderNotes

LeaderNotes is a quick-hit companion to each episode of The Learning to Lead Show. In just 5–10 minutes, Mark Cundiff recaps the top leadership insights, frameworks, and action steps from each interview, designed for busy, growth-minded leaders who want to review and apply the episode’s biggest takeaways on the go. It’s like the highlight reel + playbook—all in one.

Contact Mark at: [e-mail]