Lessons from Father-Daughter Leaders Dr. David Spong and Dr. Cathy Spong
Seasons leadership podcast
The women in leadership podcast

Lessons from Father-Daughter Leaders Dr. David Spong and Dr. Cathy Spong

Season
3
| Episode
4
4/20/2022
Apple podcast iconSpotify icon

Learn from Dr. David Spong and Dr. Cathy Spong – a father and daughter duo – who each have a demonstrated history of leadership success applying the Baldrige criteria. Be inspired by their support of each other’s leadership success across different disciplines – aerospace and medicine. Join Seasons Leadership Co-Founders and podcast hosts Debbie Collard and Susan Ireland as they talk to Cathy and David about leading with values, shaping the culture and the importance of mentorship.
 
 Show notes
1:51 The show starts off with a discussion about how leadership – despite being practiced in different fields – is really the same (1:51). David talks about how the higher up you get in an organization the difference between leadership gets less and less (2:26). Cathy talks about bouncing ideas off each other (3:18) despite their organizations having completely different goals. Susan asks what they have learned from each other through this unique relationship (3:55) and of course the conversation turns back to Baldrige but also a more personal note when David shares a proud dad moment (5:00).

Cathy inspires by talking about the importance of living your values (5:41) and never expecting someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Then both David (6:33) and Cathy (8:02) share a story about a time they were proud of the other. 

The conversation takes a familiar turn when Susan asks about the challenge of having a “bad boss” (9:15) an issue that both David and Cathy can relate to. David reinforces that you can’t let a bad boss change what you do (9:50) and Cathy agrees (11:09) and adds that a leader should still work to change the culture if they can. 

Debbie asks what advice they have for a leader early in the journey (12:38) – the leaders talk about mentorship and setting expectations without emotion. Susan observes that the relationship Cathy and David have is a mentor relationship (13:23) and how that takes away the loneliness that leaders can sometimes be susceptible to. David shares how not having a coach early on was a determent (15:50) and shares advice to create a “kitchen cabinet” and choose carefully. Cathy advocates (17:14) for leaders to establish the culture and lift people up.

The discussion concludes with David sharing (17:37) how reaching “retirement age” changed him and imploring leaders to have the courage of your convictions – if you think it is the right decision, make it and move on.

(20:00) Debbie and Susan share key takeaways – shaping the culture, leadership is leadership across different industries and the importance of having a mentor or coach. They share resources to get you started now. This is part 3 of a 3-episode series featuring Dr. David Spong and Dr. Catherine Spong.
 
 Related episodes
 Part 1: Inside the Baldrige Leadership Journey with Dr. David Spong - Seasons Leadership Podcast
Part 2: Improving the health of pregnant women through leadership with Dr. Cathy Spong 

Visit Seasons Leadership Podcast show page to subscribe: Seasons Leadership Podcast

Most Recent episodes

See All
Season
5
| Episode
74

Practicing gratitude in leadership with Kimberly Adams

11.21.24

|

15

Join me, Susan Ireland, as I talk with Seasoned Leader and previous podcast guest Kimberly Adams about gratitude, positivity and communit...

Read More
Season
5
| Episode
73

Daily leadership practices and navigating transitions with Beth Schryer

10.30.24

|

46

Join me, Susan Ireland, as I catch up again with Beth Schryer, global corporate business leader, who has been a featured guest on both ou...

Read More
Season
5
| Episode
72

Know yourself as a leader with Kristen Bruner

10.16.24

|

38

Join us as we talk to Kristen Bruner a chief human resources officer with more than 25 years of experience. We talk about executive prese...

Read More

Most Recent Episodes

See All

Fall reflections are running through my mind

Fall means running Cross Country. This sport has shaped so many of my fall seasons of life. First as a student athlete and now as a coach. This sport, which is all about racing across varied terrain, takes on an almost mythical quality for me and I suspect many other runners that are drawn to this open-air competition.

Read More

Strong leaders assert agency

This summer, I've been reflecting on the concept of agency because my coaching clients have been talking about it. People say things like, “I could never do that!” or “I’m burning out, my boss doesn’t see all that I do!”

Read More

Reboot your recharge routine

Debbie's previous blog "recharge your leadership batteries" offers some timely insights to help you reboot your own practice of "me time." She shares this important reminder that inspires me to take time for myself, "by taking time off not only was I benefiting, but I was giving someone else the opportunity to stretch and grow and show themselves and others what they could do."

Read More