Host Suzanne Reed joins Stuart C. McWhorter, Tennessee’s Commissioner of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), to share invaluable lessons from his career journey, which spans decades covering entrepreneurship, public service, and venture capital.
The Power of Succession Planning and Team Building
Commissioner McWhorter believes in the importance of proper succession planning for all businesses, whether in the public or private sectors. For him, effective leadership is not just about personal success but ensuring the continuity of an organization.
“Part of succession planning is around your strategy,” he says. “Whether that next leader or management team wants to adopt your playbook, I do think having one in place just in case is always a good thing to do and it just keeps continuity with your team.”
McWhorter’s strong support of solid leadership transition is rooted in his personal experience. He credits having access to prior plans when he became Commissioner himself gave him a proper head start.
“I think the other component that is really important is that people are better off with what you left them with,” he shares. “Not just because of me in this case, but because of us and the things that we did together. I think those are really important things that you want to leave behind.”
McWhorter’s insights also highlight the necessity for leaders to empower teams. From his early days in venture capital with Clayton Associates, he recognized that success stems from collaboration and valuing the contributions of others.
“Our philosophy was always to invest in the people. It’s never really the business itself, it’s not the plan and how they’re going to execute,” he says, “It’s the people itself.”
“The ones that always exceeded expectations,” he recalls, “were the ones that understood how to navigate all those challenges, bring in the right people, basically give them the keys…and be okay with decisions they may not agree with all the time.”
Leadership, according to McWhorter, is learning how to move from being the star player to becoming the team coach. “Entrepreneurship,” he explains, “starts as an individual sport but eventually must transition to a team sport.”
“If you’re growing out a management team and you’ve got lots of employees, you have to have that ability to convert, the ability to hand it off to somebody that knows how to run the business so you can be the expert in the room on the product or service,” he shares. “You’ve got to recognize the value of the team.”
Master the Art of Listening
McWhorter challenges the traditional view that leaders should always be the loudest voice in the room. Instead, he identifies listening as a powerful and often overlooked superpower.
“Listening can be somewhat confused [with not] having anything to say,” he explains. “But for me, I’m taking everything in.”
Early in his career, McWhorter’s ability to keenly observe and process conversations earned him recognition for offering unique insights. This skill, he said, became a cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. Through the act of listening, leaders can make better, more informed decisions while also building trust with their teams.
“What tends to happen is that people get talking, and they start thinking this is the way it’s going to be,” he says. “They may be listening to what somebody is saying, but they’re not hearing it and they’re not taking it to heart to think for just a minute, if their ego would allow it, that they might be wrong.”
McWhorter admits not knowing everything is also a part of becoming a better leader. Reflecting on the humility required to approach discussions with an open mind, the Commissioner acknowledges, “As we get older, we tend to have stronger opinions about things.”
“In most cases I may not be completely wrong and they may not be completely right, but the answer might be somewhere in the middle. And I’ve been able to lead and manage work in that way.”
This thoughtful approach to leadership acknowledges the complexity of modern challenges, encouraging leaders to view differing perspectives as opportunities for growth.
Serve Others and Create Tangible Impact
As Commissioner McWhorter describes it, leadership is ultimately about serving others. Inspired by his parents’ commitment to giving back, McWhorter strives to leave behind a legacy of service. As Commissioner, he has seen firsthand how economic development can transform communities, especially in Tennessee’s distressed counties.
“The best part of my job is its tangible results,” he says. “You see the direct impact it has on those families. Now a family has an opportunity for a real good job, high quality paying job, getting access to training to be prepared for those jobs of the future.”
McWhorter recounts stories of families whose lives were changed through job opportunities, demonstrating how government initiatives can deliver meaningful results. “It’s the family that’ll tell you why [our work] is important for them and their children.”
“We’re all called to make an impact,” he shares. “Serving is what gives me a lot of joy, and that’s what I’m so grateful to be able to do now.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Commissioner McWhorter views his role as a father of five as central to his legacy. He takes pride in teaching his children the value of hard work and finding joy in their professional and personal endeavors.
“Life’s hard and no one’s handing out trophies every day,” he says. “You’ve got to get into it and work. The key is to find joy in that.”
Commissioner McWhorter’s leadership philosophy is a testament to the power of listening, building teamwork, and providing services that matter. He inspires not only his colleagues but also the broader communities he serves by focusing on the long-term impact he’s making, listening to others, and embracing the joys of hard work.
McWhorter’s provides easy-to-follow advice for any leader on their path to success:
- Plan for the future by investing in your team.
- Listen more than you speak to discover new and varied perspectives.
- Prioritize service and leave the world better than you found it.
Our conversation is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about achieving one’s goals but empowering others to thrive and do the same. Whether in public service, business, or everyday life, Commissioner McWhorter’s lessons should challenge us to lead with intention, integrity, and heart.
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