Donnie Hayes thought was going to be a dentist, but his friends knew better.
Instead Donnie went on to become a Parks Director, now the Director of Parks and Recreation for Missouri City, Texas, and his whole world changed for the better.
In this conversation we explore what leadership looks like when joy and service are at its core.
Donnie shares how a single criticism from his childhood shaped his belief that every person deserves to feel seen and capable, and how that purpose drives his work creating spaces where communities thrive.
We talk about the danger of control, the courage to trust, and how his “Why and Where” meetings help staff connect to their purpose and to one another.
Donnie’s blend of heart, humor, and humility will remind you why leadership is really about creating safety, building trust, and seeing potential in others long before they see it in themselves.
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