What does it truly mean to surrender in leadership, marriage, and personal growth? In this episode of Seek Go Create, Benita Williams, author of "The Sustainable CEO," joins hosts Tim Winders and A.M. Williams for a vulnerable conversation about moving from burnout to overflow, the power of aligning with your divine design, and how couples can thrive together in life and business. Discover practical habits for sustainable growth, hear honest stories about overcoming adversity, and learn why surrender might be the key you're missing. If you want to lead with purpose and partnership, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

"Surrender is the starting point for change." - Benita Williams

Access all show and episode resources HERE

About Our Guest:

Benita Williams is the author of "The Sustainable CEO: Equipping Leaders to Move from Burnout to Overflow through Rest, Clarity and Stewardship." She specializes in helping leaders achieve sustainable growth by aligning leadership with stewardship principles, and is recognized for her expertise in strategy, consulting, and leadership development.

A.M. Williams is a renowned coach for founders and executives, known for his Leverage Leader approach, which focuses on identity architecture, governance, and expansion. Despite overcoming the challenges of paraplegia, he has built his coaching and training business from a bedbound condition and has inspired leaders globally to grow in governance and fulfill their divine design. Together, Benita and A.M. provide a powerful and complementary perspective on leadership, marriage, and legacy.

Reasons to Listen:

1. Discover how Benita Williams and A.M. Williams have built a thriving marriage while navigating leadership challenges together, even in the face of disability and life-changing adversity.
2. Uncover powerful insights on shifting from ambition-driven leadership to alignment and stewardship—learn what it really means to operate from your "divine design" for lasting success.
3. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the unique ways these leaders collaborate, resolve conflict, and blend complementary strengths in business and life—with practical takeaways you won't find in traditional leadership books.

Episode Resources & Action Steps:

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

1. The Sustainable CEO: Unlocking the Divine Overflow Sequence for Leadership, Alignment and Legacy: Book by Benita Williams that outlines a faith-driven, sustainable approach to leadership and stewardship. (Referenced throughout, especially around [00:48:28], and recommended by A.M. Williams at [00:50:55].)
2. Coach A.M. Williams Website: Website for A.M. Williams containing resources on leadership, governance, and coaching (shared by Tim Winders at [00:30:17]).
3. (Bonus) Seek Go Create Podcast – Benita Williams Episode: Previous episode featuring Benita Williams, referenced by Tim Winders at [00:01:51]. Listeners are encouraged to check out that episode for deeper insight into her journey.

1. Practice Surrender and Stewardship: As Benita Williams emphasized ([00:00:00], [00:53:54]), start by surrendering old patterns, identities, and ways of operating. Open yourself up to what God is calling you to next, and focus on stewarding your skills, relationships, and assignments well.
2. Clarify and Align Your Divine Design: Reflect on what gifts and callings are unique to you and your spouse or colleagues. Discuss these openly to ensure you’re leading and serving from your area of strength and alignment, as modeled in the episode ([00:31:18], [00:39:47]).
3. Invest in Personal & Team Development: Consider reading The Sustainable CEO for practical frameworks on overflow and sustainable leadership, or engage with coaching resources (such as those from A.M. Williams) to move from solo effort and hustle to governance, sustainability, and margin ([00:49:30], [00:51:19]).

Key Lessons:

1. Surrender is Foundational to Growth: Both Benita Williams and A.M. Williams emphasize that true transformation and progress in leadership start with surrender—letting go of old identities, unhealthy control, and outdated governing methods to step into what God is truly calling you to.
2. Stewardship Over Ownership: The episode explores the idea that leaders are called to steward the gifts, skills, relationships, and resources given to them, rather than trying to own or control everything. This perspective shift enables more sustainable and impactful leadership.
3. Embracing Divine Design and Identity: Understanding and operating within your “divine design” is crucial—not just for personal fulfillment, but for effective leadership, marriage, and legacy. Both guests advocate for discovering your unique calling and aligning your actions accordingly.
4. Healthy Leadership Requires Partnership: Benita Williams and A.M. Williams share openly about how their strengths complement one another, especially as spouses who lead together. Recognizing and respecting each other’s unique gifts helps resolve conflict and enhance collaboration.
5. Sustainable Success Begins with Overflow, Not Burnout: Drawing from Benita Williams’s book “The Sustainable CEO,” the conversation highlights that lasting growth comes from a foundation of rest, alignment, and stewardship—not from relentless striving or burnout.

Episode Highlights:

00:30 Introducing Our Guests: Bonita and AM Williams

00:53 Leadership and Marriage: Thriving Together

03:57 AM Williams' Journey: From Adversity to Inspiration

07:27 The Role of Caregiving in Leadership

12:56 Pre-2000 Life and Identity

24:37 Merging Leadership Journeys

29:56 Complementary Leadership Styles

31:18 Roles and Responsibilities in Leadership

34:03 Handling Conflict in Leadership

34:50 The Importance of Governance

48:21 Introducing the Sustainable CEO

53:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Resources for Leaders from Tim Winders & SGC:

🎙 Unlock Leadership Excellence with Tim

• Transform your leadership and align your career with your deepest values. Schedule your Free Discovery Call now to explore how you can reach new heights in personal and professional growth. Limited slots available each month – Book your session today!

• Challenge your perceptions and embark on a journey toward true fulfillment. Dive into transformative insights with "Coach: A Story of Success Redefined." This book will help you rethink what success means and how to achieve it on your terms. Don't miss out on this essential read—order your copy today!

Thank you for listening to Seek Go Create!

Our podcast is dedicated to empowering Christian leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals looking to redefine success in their personal and professional lives. Through in-depth interviews, personal anecdotes, and expert advice, we offer valuable insights and actionable strategies for achieving your goals and living a life of purpose and fulfillment.

If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, we encourage you to subscribe to or follow Seek Go Create on your favorite podcast platform, including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. By subscribing, you'll never miss an episode and can stay up-to-date on the latest insights and strategies for success.

Additionally, please share this episode or what you’ve learned today with your friends, family, and colleagues on your favorite social media platform. By sharing our podcast, you can help us reach more people who are looking to align their faith with their work and lead with purpose.

For more updates and episodes, visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok and YouTube. We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you achieve your goals and create a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Now, you can tip us, buy us a coffee, or offer financial support. Contributions start at just $1, and if you leave a comment, you could be featured in a future episode!

Visit our Support page for more details.

Mentioned in this episode:

Redefine Success with Coach – A Novel That Transforms

Feeling the pressure to chase more, yet still wondering, “Is this it?” You're not alone—and you're not without hope. In this brief pause, Tim Winders introduces Coach: A Story of Success Redefined, a transformational novel that challenges the world’s definition of success and offers something deeper. Ready for a wake-up call that inspires faith, purpose, and lasting change? Grab your copy now at TimWinders.com and start the journey today.

Get More Info About Coach

A Final Challenge: Redefine Success with Coach

Before you sign off, here’s a powerful invitation from Tim: If you’ve been inspired by the stories on Seek Go Create, take the next step with his novel, Coach: A Story of Success Redefined. It’s a transformative journey that invites leaders to rethink success and align their lives with faith, purpose, and peace. Get your copy today at TimWinders.com.

Get More Info About Coach