Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of "Standing Tall: Voices in Leadership!" To kick things off, Randy sits down with Dr. Chris Timmis, the innovative superintendent of Dexter Community Schools. Dr. Timmis shares his incredible journey from being an "accidental superintendent" to leading a district that serves as a true hub for the community, complete with a fitness center, senior center, and even a "baby house" for staff members' children.
In this conversation, you'll learn Dr. Timmis's core philosophies on leadership, including his powerful hiring question, "Do you love to win, or do you hate to lose?", and why he gives his staff the "absolute freedom to fail forward".
Key Takeaways
Hire competitors who hate to lose. Dr. Timmis only hires administrators who hate to lose because they learn from setbacks and are driven to improve and try again.
Create a safety net for innovation. Give your team explicit permission to fail. When staff know you have their back, they feel empowered to try new things that can transform student learning.
Be a true community hub. Dr. Timmis’s district runs the local rec department, a fitness center, and the senior center, making the school system the undeniable heart of the community.
Listen to your community directly. If you sense a problem is "rumbling," call an open forum. It builds trust and reminds everyone that you're neighbors working toward a common goal.
Build a diverse network for advice. Dr. Timmis intentionally calls three types of colleagues for advice: one who will agree with his most aggressive stance, one who will suggest a passive approach, and one who is in the middle. This gives him a full spectrum of perspectives.
Lead authentically. The best advice for aspiring leaders is to ground yourself in your core beliefs and be yourself. Find what fuels your creativity and dedicate time to it every day.