The Leader's Edge: July 2025

🎉 The Book Is Almost Here! Watch Bob Goff & Tim Talk Leadership

Hey friends,

Big news: Everybody Leads officially launches this month!

To celebrate, my friend and bestselling author Bob Goff joined me for a heartfelt (and hilarious) conversation about what it really means to lead with purpose, no title required.

This book is the culmination of three decades of leadership lessons, many learned the hard way, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Let’s kick off July with inspiration, celebration, and a little behind-the-scenes joy.

Leadership Insight of the Month

Beware the Barred Owls

Ever been blindsided by something completely out of your control?

You’re making progress, cruising through the day, when, BAM!, a metaphorical owl divebombs your momentum.

That happened to me, literally.

I was on a peaceful early morning run when a barred owl silently swooped in and smacked me in the head. (Yes, there was blood. Yes, I kept running.) Turns out these owls are wildly territorial during nesting season, and I had unknowingly trespassed on their turf.

That experience stuck with me, not just because of the puncture wounds, but because of what it revealed about leadership.

Barred owls show up in our work too:

  • A surprise crisis

  • A derailed project

  • A blindsiding email or missed opportunity

These “mini crises” knock us off stride. But they don’t have to take us out of the race. Here’s the playbook:

  1. Get the facts. Don’t react to shadows, respond to reality.

  2. Regroup. Breathe. Reset your footing.

  3. Take action on what you can control.

  4. Refocus on your vital priorities.

  5. Press on with your mission.

Barred owls are real. So are bad days.

But they don’t define your leadership, your response does.

Quote from Everybody Leads

“No matter your title, past mistakes, or where you are in your journey, Everybody Leads provides practical, actionable, and genuine ways you can grow your influence and impact on others.”

🎧 Podcast Highlights: The Everybody Leads Series

Mark your calendars, these inspiring conversations are part of our official Everybody Leads podcast series:

  • July 9 – Pam Mims, Deputy General Counsel, Amwins Group, Inc.

  • July 23 – Launch Episode featuring Bob Goff & Daniel Pink

  • August 6 – Misty Miller, SVP, Org Development, Boys & Girls Club of America

  • August 20 – Lara Nichols, SVP, State & Federal Regulatory Legal Support, Duke Energy

💬 Real talk. Real leaders. Real impact.

📍 Upcoming Events

Here’s where I’ll be speaking and celebrating this month:

  • July 8 – Virtual Summit – “Be You and Boss Up”

  • July 21 – University of Montevallo Board of Trustees Retreat, AL

  • July 22 – 🚨 Launch Day Celebration @ Alabama Booksmith, 4 PM CST

  • July 24 – 💻 Virtual Book Launch, 6 PM CST

Don’t miss this last one!

Join us online for an exclusive evening with fellow Everybody Leads readers.

You’ll get behind-the-scenes insight into the writing journey, hear directly from me about the heart behind the book, and walk away with a free electronic copy of a Bob Goff book, just for registering and attending.

It’s going to be a special night of leadership, laughter, and learning.

📸 Summer Road Trip Highlights

This summer, we’ve been hitting the road to connect with our Baker Donelson family, and the journey’s not over yet!

Upcoming Stops:

  • July 16 – Knoxville, Tennessee

  • July 17 – Nashville, Tennessee

  • July 29 – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

  • July 30 – Orlando, Florida

  • August 4 – Houston, Texas

  • August 5 – Jackson, Mississippi

From Memphis to Macon and now across the Southeast, these visits have been packed with meaningful conversations, lots of laughter, and powerful reminders that Everybody Leads, and that leadership starts with showing up.

Check out these two awesome photos during our road trip in New Jersey!

📘 Everybody Leaders: Pre-Order Is Open

The book officially launches on July 22.

Reserve your copy today and get 15% off with code TIMLEADS.

If you are local in Alabama, or nearby, we are gathering at Alabama Booksmith at 4PM CST for a special in-person event.

Can’t make it in person? No problem.

We’ll be streaming the event live on the Alabama Booksmith Facebook page so you can join from wherever you are.

LinkedIn Post of the Month 

Leadership isn’t a title. It’s a choice.

For years, we’ve rewarded the loudest voice in the room.

The one with the title, the corner office, the impressive resume.

But here’s what I’ve seen time and again inside a 100s-strong organization and beyond:

The real leaders?

They’re the ones who step up when the cameras are off.

They don’t wait for permission to make an impact.

They bring hope into hard conversations and clarity into chaos.

Leadership isn’t a job you get.

It’s a posture you adopt.

And often, it’s the receptionist, the intern, the quiet voice in the room who carries the greatest influence because they show up with consistency, character, and courage.

So here’s a challenge for today:

Instead of asking “Who’s in charge?”

Ask “Who’s making a difference?”

You might be surprised by what you see.

And even more inspired by who you become.

Thanks for Reading!

Here’s your reminder this month:

Don’t wait to feel “ready.” Leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about action.

Let’s keep showing up and leading boldly, together.

With gratitude,

Tim