Name: William C Golston Jr

Title: Academic Career Advisor

Organisation: Midlands Technical College

A life long academic, I strive to help people to the best of my ability. I love learning and understanding individuals, and that has been my passion for years. I am always striving to be and do better, and I am an avid proponent of mental health and physical health.

Click here to read William's first written interview: 7 Questions on Leadership

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

We’ve gone through the interviews and asked the best of the best to come back and answer 7 MORE Questions on Leadership.

I hope William's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. As a leader, how do you build trust with employees, customers and other stakeholders?

The best way to build trust is to be authentic. People can tell when your trying to cater to them, and when you are being straightforward. It is better to let people know what the situation is and how you plan on dealing with it going forward. It builds confidence and trust in you as a leader, and they are willing to listen to what input you give.

2. What do 'VISION' and 'MISSION' mean to you? And what does it actually look like to use them in real-world business?

Vision is where you see yourself going. Mission is how you get there. You have to know what you're planning and be driven to accomplish it. If you don't really have a thing that you are trying to achieve, then what are you shooting for? You have to really want something bad enough that your desire for it motivates you to go after it with a laser focus.

3. How can a leader empower the people they're leading?

Give credence to their ideas. Don't just hear them out, but actually work with them to bring those that can be to life. It is such a good feeling when you are given a challenge or you have an idea and your leader cultivates and even uses your idea to help the entire team. That is real leadership!

4. Who are some of the coaches or mentors in your life who have had a positive influence on your leadership? Can you please tell a meaningful story about one of them?

I have had terrific mentors and leaders in my life. One of the most impactful was my assistant pastor, the Late Melvin E. Wallace. He took me fishing, taught me how to drive, and constantly imparted so many life lessons. He called me "professor" and always mentioned how proud he was of me and how he believed that I would accomplish great things. Though he is no longer here physically, I still hope to honor him in the way I live and treat others.

5. Leadership is often more about what you DON'T do. How do you maintain focus in your role?

I try not to be overwhelmed by the amount of information that I sometimes have to deal with.

I focus on what I can do right now; in other words, I eat the elephant one bite at a time.

I know that I am only human, so sometimes it is necessary to take care of myself before taking care of others. That will allow you to be effective when you do.

6. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Everyone plans differently. How do you plan for the week, month and years ahead in your role?

The current role I am in is not one that I plan to have forever. I have a strong desire to grow and change and move into roles that require more responsibility as well as accountability. To do that, however, I have to maintain consistency and dedication in what I am doing now. I have to strive to be better every day, and pursue every goal that will help me to accomplish that.

7. What advice would you give to a young leader who is struggling to delegate effectively?

Stop. Stop trying to take on every task and complete every mission yourself. You aren't an army; you are an individual. Every great leader who became greater did so because they relied on others. Make sure that you rely on the people that you have trained, that you have hired, and that you have worked with. They are capable because you have helped them become that. Allow them now to help you.