Episode 12: Leadership AND... Becoming Who You Want to Be with Jared Davis

What if becoming a better leader starts with changing the way you see yourself? After 16 years as a construction superintendent, Jared Davis never imagined he'd be teaching mindfulness, embracing tenderness as a superpower, or helping others become more intentional leaders. But his journey from construction to executive coaching has taught him that growth often begins in the moments we'd rather avoid. In this episode of Leadership AND, Josh Donovan and Patrick Ibarra welcome Lighthouse's newest facilitator, Jared Davis, for a conversation about identity, resilience, connection, and the work of becoming who you want to be. Jared shares the parenting moment that forced him to confront his own reactions, why he believes children need opportunities to navigate difficulty, and how a career in construction shaped his approach to leadership. He also opens up about a season of professional disconnection, the people who helped him find his way, and the surprising discovery that tenderness, not toughness, might be one of his greatest strengths. Along the way, they explore the power of mindfulness, the importance of creating environments where people feel seen, and the limiting beliefs that can quietly shape our lives. It's a conversation about learning to pause, choosing connection over control, and discovering that greatness isn't about getting everything right. It's about continuing to grow. In This Episode - Jared's journey from construction superintendent to Lighthouse executive coach and facilitator. - The Mindful Minute and learning to respond rather than react. - A parenting mistake that changed how Jared thinks about the father he wants to be. - Why connection and feeling seen can change someone's trajectory. - How a difficult college experience, and a teacher who cared, reshaped Jared's relationship with learning. - Raising resilient kids by helping them navigate challenges rather than shielding them from every difficulty. - Why failure and psychological safety are essential to growth. - Lessons from construction about safety, accountability, and creating environments where people can speak up. - The loneliness of feeling invisible at work and the importance of leaders noticing when someone is struggling. - Discovering tenderness as a superpower in a culture that often celebrates toughness. - Understanding the difference between good intentions and the impact we have on others. - How mindset, identity, and self-talk influence the habits we build. - Finding connection and healing in family relationships. - Choosing discipline, embracing imperfection, and continuing to become the person you want to be. Resources Mentioned - Find Your Why by Simon Sinek, David Mead, and Peter Docker - https://simonsinek.com/product/find-your-why - The Second Mountain by David Brooks - https://a.co/d/003g97ds - Limitless by Jim Kwik - https://start.kwikbrain.com/limitless-expanded - Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits - CliftonStrengths - https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx - Courtney Dauwalter's “pain cave” approach to endurance and growth - https://thepursuitcounseling.com/the-pain-cave-why-the-cracks-are-where-growth-begins/ Timestamps 01:13 – Meet Jared Davis, Lighthouse's newest facilitator 02:14 – The Mindful Minute: responding instead of reacting 04:00 – .b and creating space between stimulus and response 10:00 – Why mindfulness isn't just “woo-woo” 13:53 – Jared's first experience with the Lighthouse Leadership Series 21:38 – Academic struggles, connection, and the teacher who changed everything 36:43 – Raising resilient kids through real-world challenges 42:19 – Why failure is one of our greatest teachers 57:38 – Lessons in safety, accountability, and leadership from construction 1:05:21 – A difficult career transition and the need to feel seen 1:10:33 – Discovering tenderness as a superpower 1:13:42 – When our impact doesn't match our intentions 1:22:47 – Developing leaders in the construction industry 1:49:56 – Rewriting limiting beliefs and embracing a learner's identity 1:58:16 – Rebuilding a relationship with his father 2:06:04 – The pain cave, discipline, and doing hard things 2:19:05 – Embracing imperfection while continuing to grow About Lighthouse Institute At Lighthouse Institute, we believe better leadership starts with becoming a better human. Through leadership development, executive coaching, and transformational experiences, we help individuals and organizations build the self-awareness, skills, and relationships that create meaningful, lasting change. The Leadership, AND... podcast explores leadership through the lens of real life: work, parenting, marriage, conflict, purpose, growth, and everything in between. 👉 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations about leadership, parenting, relationships, conflict, growth, and the human side of leadership. 👉 SHARE this episode with someone who's doing the work of becoming a better human and a better leader. Let's Go Shine Bright ✨