David Carr on Leaders LIVING Their Values

What does it really mean for a leader to live their values every day? In this episode, global credibility expert Mitchell Levy sits down with David Carr, founder of Steward Your Business and a veteran in environmental consulting. David discusses his passion for nature, his journey from zoology to helping organizations comply with environmental laws, and the importance of uniting diverse stakeholders. With decades of experience, he shares personal stories about balancing family, business, and purpose. Join us as David explores how integrity and a collaborative mindset can make a difference in both business and life.Summary David Carr, a Southern California native and founder of Steward Your Business, discussed his career transition from environmental consulting to business stewardship. He emphasized the importance of understanding and aligning with stakeholders’ objectives, using a collaborative approach rather than a confrontational one. David shared personal insights on balancing work and family life, highlighting the need to prioritize family time and manage commitments. He also reflected on the significance of self-awareness and the journey of personal growth, particularly in leadership roles. David’s mission is to bring people together and create spaces for community and connection, especially for professionals in the AEC industry.Quotes* People don’t just comply with the law because it’s there; you have to connect with their hearts first.* You can be right and still lose at the end of the day, so teamwork and understanding matter more than being correct.* Kids are amazing mirrors—they show you when you overpromise and underdeliver, holding you accountable to your words.* Saying yes to something often means saying no to something else, so learning to set boundaries is essential.* True leadership is about abundance, coming from a place of giving rather than taking, whether in business or at home.Takeaways* Leadership means uniting people with diverse interests toward a common goal.* Environmental consulting bridges the gap between regulations and responsible business.* Inspiring others is more effective than enforcing rules through authority alone.* Personal fulfillment comes from aligning work with passion and values.* Life transitions—both professional and personal—bring valuable perspective to leadership.Timeline0:00:04 Introduction and Background0:02:01 Path to Environmental Consulting0:04:25 Stakeholder Management: Stick vs. Carrot0:08:12 Building Teams and the Power of “We”0:09:43 Learning from Mistakes and Team Feedback0:11:26 Lessons from Family and Kids0:13:26 Setting Boundaries and Saying No0:16:56 Prioritizing Family and Making Time0:20:31 Understanding Differences in Marriage0:24:07 Leadership Mission and Group Coaching0:25:35 Connecting with Audience and Contact Info0:26:58 Reflections on Identity and Final ThoughtsConclusionDavid Carr’s journey is a testament to the power of leading with both passion and purpose. Through blending his love for nature with expertise in environmental consulting, he has brought together people from all walks of life to achieve shared goals. His story reminds us that true leadership is about inspiration, collaboration, and consistently living one’s values. Whether in the office or outdoors, David exemplifies integrity and adaptability. This episode leaves us reflecting on how we, too, can live our values every day.If you like what you’re hearing and want to dive deeper into credibility, clarity, and how to show up as your best self, visit MitchellLevy.com. You can also book time directly on the calendar at https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-us to start your journey toward greater credibility today!Links/Resources:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwcarr/Book “Executive Abundance: Changing the Rules of the Game for Lasting Success and Impact”: https://a.co/d/dKbbvn7 Website: https://stewardyourbusiness.com/ Learn more about Mitchell Levy: https://MitchellLevy.comBook time directly with Mitchell: https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-usCredibility Nation:Website: https://MitchellLevy.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CredibilityNationFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CredibilityNationCommunity: https://aha.pub/Superheroes Get full access to Mitchell Levy Presents at mitchelllevy.substack.com/subscribe