How to Build Trust as a Leader

The People-Forward Leadership™ Podcast Episode 44: It's Not About You: Building a Brain Trust That Leads from 40,000 Feet with Dawn Distler “Leadership is never about you." ~Dawn Distler Episode Summary Could your organization run well without you in the room? Dawn Distler built her entire leadership on making the answer yes. The CEO of Akron's METRO RTA started as a bus operator 39 years ago and rose to become the national Transit CEO of the Year, leading two different agencies to top system honors along the way. Her secret has nothing to do with being the smartest person in the room. She surrounds herself with people who are, builds a brain trust she trusts more than her own solo judgment, and pulls her leaders up to the 40,000-foot view so the whole system sees what she sees. If you've ever wrestled with how to develop your people when you can't always win on pay, how to let go without losing the big picture, or how to build a team that performs beyond your own reach, Dawn's conversation with me is your blueprint. This is leadership stripped of ego and backed by results. Key Takeaways Surround yourself with the smartest people in the room, then actually listen to them. When you can't win on pay, win on development, even if you're growing people for their next opportunity. Pull your leaders up to the 40,000-foot view and teach them to delegate so the organization thrives without you. Take responsibility publicly, coach privately, and give credit always. Technology should speed up the system, never replace the human care that people depend on. About Dawn Distler Dawn Distler is a 39-year veteran of the public transportation industry. She began her career as a bus operator at METRO before being promoted to SCAT Operations Manager, and later, Assistant Director of Customer Services. After serving 17 years at METRO, Dawn headed south to join the leadership team at Davidson Transit Organization in Nashville, TN. She later became the Director of Transit for the City of Knoxville, TN, where she led the organization to win the 2017 American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) Outstanding Transit System Award. Dawn returned to METRO to serve as CEO in 2018 and continues to champion equitable transportation as an essential service. Dawn also serves on the leadership team for the Ohio Public Transit Association (OPTA) and is a member of APTA’s Board of Directors. In 2024, Dawn was named the Transit CEO of the Year for the entire country, and in 2025, led her team at METRO to victory as the Outstanding Public Transportation System of the Year. Resources & Links Learn more about Dawn Distler: linkedin.com/in/dawn-distler-00455a11 Learn more about Metro RTA: https://www.yourmetrobus.org/ Learn more about the People-Forward Leadership™ framework: www.thriveaxisgroup.com Connect with us for behind-the-scenes content and leadership tips: LinkedIn:   / parkerwalsh   Instagram:   / drcarolparkerwalsh   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...