Fostering the Next Generation: Leadership Lessons with Jeff Williamson and Jacob Knox Artwork

Leadership LevelUp

Being a boss and a leader are very different. A boss tells you what to do and a leader partners with you in the process. Our hosts, Brian Prairie and Dr. Jeff Williamson, explore leadership from different ends of the spectrum. Jeff has been exploring leadership and guiding leaders for 30 years. Brian, new to leadership, keeps asking himself what makes a good leader, as his role continually evolves at the marketing firm, Pathfinder. He and Jeff talk to leaders about their guiding principles and inspirations in a quest to look at leadership in all its forms.

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Leadership LevelUp

Fostering the Next Generation: Leadership Lessons with Jeff Williamson and Jacob Knox

February 26, 2025 • Dr. Jeff Williamson • Season 9 • Episode 62

Welcome back to another engaging episode of Leadership Level Up. I'm your host, Jeff Williamson, and today, I've got the pleasure of welcoming back Jakob Knox, CEO of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce, for another insightful discussion on leadership and community building!

In this episode, Jakob shares his journey from high school kid working for the park district to his current role as CEO. We discuss the importance of connectedness and the power of collaboration in leadership. Jakob reflects on the pivotal role of listening and building deeper relationships, emphasizing that his leadership style is marked by empowering others to "bring that thing to reality."

Jacob and I explore the future of leadership, discussing his aspirations to foster the next generation of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Mantino. "There's opportunity. There's so much opportunity," Jakob notes, as he envisions creating spaces for diverse communities to have a voice and a seat at the table.

Join us as Jakob shares valuable insights on nurturing a supportive environment for growth and innovation, demonstrating how leaders can impact their communities positively. Remember to subscribe for more conversations on leadership, authenticity, and community empowerment.