Brent D. Williams’ Post

Last week, our Leadership Lessons Learned class had the privilege of hosting Brad Eichler, Chief Operating Officer of Stephens, whose journey from a researcher to executive leader offers invaluable lessons for the aspiring professionals in our class. Here are our students’ key takeaways: Active Listening: Brad emphasized the importance of truly listening rather than simply waiting to respond. Engaging in meaningful dialogue fosters collaboration and respect within a team. Ownership and Responsibility: Effective leaders must take full ownership of their decisions and their team's outcomes, remaining accountable and allowing for growth from mistakes. Calculated Risk-Taking: Brad illustrated that good leaders embrace taking calculated risks. Building Trust: Trust is the foundation of successful leadership. Your reputation is your most valuable asset, built through integrity and consistent, honorable behavior. Forging Strong Connections and Growth: A successful leader often possesses a mix of aggressiveness and empathy, fostering strong connections while driving their teams toward goals. Brad's insights reinforced that leadership is a journey of character, accountability, and relationship-building. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, Brad!

For the latest edition of our Quick Walk video series, I am excited to share a conversation with Dr. Kate Mamiseisvili, Dean of the University of Arkansas - College of Education & Health Professions. She joined me for a quick walk around Old Main lawn to talk about the initiatives and programs that our colleges have been able to collaborate on, like the Robert L. Shoptaw Master of Healthcare Business Analytics program, to advance the workforce and the healthcare industry in the state of Arkansas and beyond. Kate has been a wonderful campus partner for me and our college, and I hope that you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

The Walton College's strong performance in the U.S. News & World Report rankings highlights our continued commitment to cultivating future business leaders both in Arkansas and beyond. This acknowledgment not only speaks to our focus on academic innovation and the significant research conducted by our faculty, but also emphasizes our dedication to preparing students through hands-on learning experiences. By leveraging experiential learning initiatives and partnerships with many industry partners for internships, we aim to empower our graduates to create meaningful impact from the moment they step off that stage at graduation.

This week on A Quick Walk with Brent Williams, I was joined by Luke Ezell. Luke is a junior pursuing a degree in marketing with a concentration in sales and a minor in Business Analytics. Luke co-founded the SALES (Students Achieving Leadership Excellence in Sales) registered student organization on campus. Luke joined me for a quick walk on campus to discuss the launch of SALES (that they developed in just 3 weeks!) and how they have grown to 125 members in just 5 months since launching. I hope that you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. 

Thank you to the ArcBest team for joining us on campus at University of Arkansas ­- Sam M. Walton College of Business this past week as our Company of the Day. Representatives from the company joined us for a few hours in the Walton College atrium to engage with students between classes and share about the company and their current job opportunities. These personal interactions with employers are critical for our students as they look for full-time and internship opportunities, so thank you to ArcBest for taking the time to join us!

On Monday, my Leadership Lessons Learned class had the honor of hearing from Shelley Simpson, President and CEO of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. As a first-generation college graduate with 30 years of service at J.B. Hunt, Shelley exemplifies dedication, resilience, and a people-first mindset—key qualities of effective leadership. Here are a few key takeaways from my students’ journal entries: The Value of Hustle: Shelley emphasized, “You can’t always control circumstances, but you can control your effort.” This highlights the significance of hard work in differentiating ourselves both personally and professionally. People-Centric Leadership: Shelley’s philosophy is deeply rooted in service, demonstrating that J.B. Hunt’s commitment to prioritizing people fosters loyalty and cultivates a strong organizational culture. The Role of Mentors and Sponsors: She underscored the importance of connection and support in our careers, reminding us of the impact mentors and sponsors can have on our professional journeys. Thank you, Shelley, for inspiring my students to lead with heart and to prioritize meaningful relationships in their careers!

The Northwest Arkansas Council and Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation have teamed up to launch a new resource, the StartupNWA Hub, that seamlessly connects entrepreneurs to accelerators, business associations and investors in one comprehensive, searchable, up-to-date package. The StartupNWA Hub is built in partnership with EcoMap Technologies, Inc., a category-defining ecosystem intelligence AI software company. Learn more about the hub and this exciting new partnership: https://loom.ly/LFDQGjE

Earlier this week, we had the incredible opportunity to welcome Ed Wilson, a prominent figure in the media industry and a fellow Razorback, to our Leadership Lessons Learned course. Ed’s journey from Rison, a small town in Arkansas, to leading media enterprises is nothing short of inspiring! Ed shared invaluable insights about leadership that resonated deeply with our students. Based on the students’ journal entries this week, here are two of their takeaways. One key lesson was the importance of taking risks. As he emphasized, “If you aren’t willing to fail, you may not be pushing yourself hard enough.” This mindset encourages us to embrace challenges and see failures as steppingstones rather than setbacks. Another significant takeaway was the emphasis on building genuine connections. Ed’s approach of making personal connections is a powerful reminder that leadership is not just about authority; it’s about understanding and supporting those around us. Whether it's on the first day of work, where he makes it a point to meet as many people as possible, or maintaining relationships with past colleagues, his philosophy is clear: relationships matter. Thank you Ed for sharing your remarkable insights and inspiring our next generation of leaders, showing them that with hard work, passion, and connections, they can lead in whatever area they choose.