Lessons in Leadership: Insights from Dr. Mimi Singer Lee and Herb Tyler
In today’s fast-paced world, effective leadership is more important than ever. Recently, the participants in our Management Incubator class had the privilege of learning from two outstanding executives, Dr. Mimi Singer Lee, Chief People and Inclusion Officer at EFCU Financial and Herb Tyler, Vice President at MAPP, LLC. These seasoned leaders offered invaluable advice on topics ranging from team motivation to personal development.
Adaptability and Leadership Growth
Mimi Singer Lee’s career journey reflects her ability to transition across industries, from higher education to banking. Rather than feeling out of place, she emphasized the value of transferable leadership skills. “What I’ve learned is that leadership is about understanding people, regardless of the industry,” she shared. “Whether you're working in banking or higher education, the principles of leadership—such as empathy, communication, and integrity—remain constant.”
She also highlighted the importance of ongoing learning and adaptability in leadership roles. "You don’t have to have all the technical expertise from day one," she said. "What matters most is being open to learning and understanding how your strengths can enhance the organization. You’re there to contribute in a way that complements the team."
Herb echoed her sentiments, sharing how he transitioned from being a successful LSU quarterback to working in construction management. “I didn’t know everything about construction when I started, but I knew people. I learned that my strength was in building teams, not just buildings,” he said. Both leaders agreed that overcoming imposter syndrome starts with self-belief and understanding the unique contributions you bring to your organization.
Building and Motivating Strong Teams
One of the most powerful lessons from the session was the importance of team motivation. Herb emphasized that great leadership comes from understanding your team on a personal level. “It’s not about getting everyone to conform to your style,” he said. “You have to understand what makes each individual tick. When you know what motivates them, you can lead them in a way that brings out their best.”
Mimi added that motivating teams often starts with aligning their personal values with organizational goals. “When your team believes in the same values you do, that’s where the magic happens,” she explained. Mimi shared a story about implementing flexibility policies to help parents balance work and family life. “Allowing parents more time with their newborns isn’t just good policy—it aligns with our core values of supporting our people. And when employees feel supported, they are more committed and motivated.”
Communicating Vision Consistently
Both leaders stressed the need for consistent communication about vision and values. Herb shared how his company holds weekly meetings where team members are asked to give examples of how they’ve lived the organization’s core values. “It’s not enough to have values on paper,” Herb said. “If you’re not talking about them and living them every day, they start to fade.”
Mimi agreed, recalling how at EFCU Financial they display the company’s core values in multiple places, including on team members’ mousepads, to keep them front-of-mind. “Referencing our core values in our daily work and in making key decisions, no matter how large or how small, helps us all to stay true to our culture and what makes us unique” she said.
Takeaways for Aspiring Leaders
At the heart of their discussion was a message of resilience and authenticity. Mimi encouraged leaders to stay true to their values, even when navigating challenging transitions. Herb highlighted the importance of building a legacy by helping others succeed. "I get more satisfaction seeing someone on my team succeed than in my own achievements," Herb shared. “My greatness comes from helping others realize their greatness.”
As we continue to develop the next generation of leaders through our Management Incubator class, these insights serve as a reminder that leadership is about both personal and professional growth. Whether you’re navigating imposter syndrome, building a motivated team, or communicating vision, the key is to lead with empathy, transparency, and consistency.
Success Labs is a leadership development and management consulting firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For 40 years, our expert team of consultants has worked with hundreds of companies to grow leaders, build teams and drive results through great people strategy. Contact us to get proactive about expanding your company’s potential and stay up-to-date with our latest news and leadership development updates here.