What 2025 Taught Us About Leadership Growth (Part 2)
In part 2 of this final edition of Leadership Sovereignty for 2025, Ralph Owens and Terry Baylor reflect on the past year, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in career advancement. They discuss the need to build relationships and advocate for oneself in the corporate world, highlighting that hard work alone is not enough for success. The conversation shifts to the concept of trading time for money and the importance of understanding leverage in one's career. They conclude by exploring the deeper question of identity and purpose in leadership, setting the stage for future discussions in 2026.
Takeaways
- Identify your mentors and sponsors for career growth.
- Advocacy is crucial for advancement in the corporate world.
- Career momentum is built on relationships, not just performance.
- Hard work without advocacy leads to stagnation.
- Your work is an example of who you are, but not the whole story.
- Understand that jobs are often designed to keep the system moving, not to build wealth.
- Leverage is key to scaling your career and creating value.
- Working harder does not equate to working strategically.
- Value creation is more important than effort visibility.
- Questioning how you use your time leads to deeper self-reflection.
Chapters
- (00:08) - Welcome to Leadership Sovereignty Podcast
- (00:56) - Mentors vs. Sponsors
- (02:17) - Career Momentum and Relationships
- (05:50) - Importance of Advocacy
- (08:30) - Trading Time for Money
- (11:01) - Reframing Success and Freedom
- (13:51) - Understanding the System
- (15:18) - Effort vs. Strategy
- (17:37) - Value Creation vs. Effort
- (19:37) - Identity Beyond the Role
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00:08 - Welcome to Leadership Sovereignty Podcast
00:56 - Mentors vs. Sponsors
02:17 - Career Momentum and Relationships
05:50 - Importance of Advocacy
08:30 - Trading Time for Money
11:01 - Reframing Success and Freedom
13:51 - Understanding the System
15:18 - Effort vs. Strategy
17:37 - Value Creation vs. Effort
19:37 - Identity Beyond the Role
CIO | Podcaster | 2x Houston CIO Of The Year Finalist | US Navy Veteran
Ralph Owens is an accomplished technology executive with a proven record of driving digital transformation and business growth in high-stakes environments. Fueled by a deep passion for technology and innovation, Ralph excels at developing and executing IT strategies that deliver measurable results and lasting competitive advantage. As a strategic leader, Ralph brings a sharp focus on cybersecurity, operational excellence, and building strong partnerships across the business. His experience spans diverse industries, including financial services and energy generation, where he has successfully secured critical infrastructure and navigated complex regulatory landscapes. Recognized for his ability to build high-performing teams and lead complex IT initiatives, Ralph consistently aligns technology with business goals to create innovative solutions that accelerate growth, enhance customer experience, and achieve revenue targets. Driven to empower organizations to harness technology for sustainable value, Ralph is passionate about collaborating with forward-thinking leaders to shape the future of digital transformation.
Strategic IT & Digital Transformation Leader, Entrepreneur, Mentor, Public Speaker, and Podcaster
Terry Baylor is a transformative Strategic IT & Digital Transformation Leader, entrepreneur, mentor, public speaker, and podcaster based in Houston. He’s on a mission to humanize technology, believing that the most powerful connections still happen in person. Terry leads with empathy and action, guiding teams and organizations to harness Agile practices, embrace innovation, and thrive in complex digital landscapes. At Lift Life Technology, Terry champions the mantra "Old‑fashioned isn’t outdated," emphasizing face‑to‑face interactions in a virtual world. His recent LinkedIn reflections underscore his passion:
“When you show up, listen, and connect from the heart, you’re not just selling a service — you’re building trust, community, and lasting relationships.”
Whether he’s delivering key insights at events like Cisco Live or coaching high-performing teams, Terry empowers others to lead with authenticity, agility, and impact.
