1499: Make Tough Decisions: Strengthen Leadership and Drive Board Success  with Author and Leadership Expert Rick Williams

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Rick Williams is a seasoned keynote speaker, board member, author, management consultant, company founder, and podcast host recognized for his ability to teach leaders how to make difficult decisions that shape the future. Drawing on his extensive experience serving on boards of technology companies and leading organizations, Rick combines real-world lessons in leadership, decision-making, and board governance with a passion for mentorship and growth. He is known for making complex business topics relatable, whether addressing Harvard Business School alumni, writing for CEO World Magazine, or sharing lessons from the sailboat races he loves.

In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Rick Williams returns to host Robert Plank in a conversation that dives deep into high-stakes leadership, the critical role of board members, and the lasting impact of teaching by example. Rick discusses promoting his book “Create the Future,” launching his new podcast, and distilling lessons from headline-making events such as the Tesla board’s decision on Elon Musk’s compensation. Through stories of business, sailboat racing, and personal experiences, Rick shares actionable strategies for building effective boards, making tough calls, and fostering a mindset that empowers teams and organizations to thrive.

Quotes:

“Your job as a leader is to make decisions, and those decisions create the future.”

“A board should be a value accelerator, not just a group of your friends.”

“The most important job of a board is to hire the right CEO at the right time for the company.”

Resources:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:40 — 43.5MB) | Embed

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Filed in: Interview • Podcast

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