Today’s guest can be found at the intersection of impact and collaboration. He is a consultant that works with institutions of higher education and their partners in communities, government, and business to achieve economic and social impact goals. He’s worked with institutions like The Ohio State University, Indiana University, University of Oregon and others to develop strategies for collaborative community and regional transformation.

He is the founder of Venn Collaborative, a professional development, networking, and services organization that offers online courses and other opportunities to higher education leaders and to community, economic, and workforce development professionals.

Most recently he launched his podcast, The Collaborative Effect, to speak with people from all walks of life and work about how they want to leave an impact in the world. Please join me in welcoming Jim Woodell.

In this episode we discuss:

• his thoughts on leadership: “Leadership listening more than telling and guiding more than directing. Leadership is being in service to others.”
• how moving a lot as a child helped him learn how to adjust quickly.
• when Jim found out while in college that he had skills that could be leveraged and how the roles he played gave him so much satisfaction.
• his initial plans to work in Hollywood but deciding not to be in it after experiencing shallow behavior from people in the industry.
• reaching his goal of working at PBS right after college and then deciding to go to Harvard for his Masters in education.
• Jim’s commitment to K-12 teachers and their lives in their careers.
• what led him to Penn State to get a PhD in higher education.
• how he learned how much impact universities impact their communities through talent, innovation, and place.
• how he adapted the way his systems were working as a “great observer” and how that helped him create more impact.
• where his business is going and his strategy of finding the smart people and building a network he can tap into to grow.
• the great opportunities that people can take advantage of to leave an impact.
• the importance of listening and why that is important for outreach.
• how Jim nurtures and sustains his network.

Listen, subscribe and read show notes at www.OnTheSchmooze.com.