The Leadership Canvas

What happens when you veer from the expected career path and embrace the unexpected turns life offers? Lela Davidson, Chief Operating Officer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, joins Ken and Patti Leith to share her refreshingly honest journey through the professional landscape.

Davidson describes her career as "squiggly" rather than linear—starting as a CPA before moving through media, e-commerce, retail, and advertising before landing at one of America's premier art institutions. Far from seeing these transitions as setbacks, she frames them as opportunities that have culminated in meaningful community impact. Her story challenges us to reconsider how we view career progression and professional identity.

The conversation delves into a crucial leadership evolution that many professionals experience but few articulate so clearly. Davidson shares how she transformed from "being in the bush with a machete, hacking down whatever was in our path" to building sustainable infrastructure for others to succeed. This metaphor brilliantly captures the shift from individual contributor to truly strategic leader.

Throughout the discussion, Davidson offers wisdom on creating genuine feedback cultures, the power of community connections in Northwest Arkansas, and embracing failure as an inevitable part of growth. Her candid advice—"make your plans but don't worry about them too much"—serves as both permission and encouragement for those navigating their own career uncertainties.

Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, stepping into leadership, or simply seeking to build meaningful connections in your community, this conversation offers practical insights delivered with warmth and authenticity. As Davidson reminds us, "The only way you fail is if you stop trying."

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