Leadovation

Tim Whitmire: Purpose Under Pressure: Transforming Leadership in High-Pressure Companies

Feb 11, 2025

36:18

About Tim Whitmire:

Tim Whitmire is the co-founder of F3 Nation, a global network of free, peer-led workout groups for men that has expanded to tens of thousands of participants worldwide. In 2018, he founded CXN Advisory, a consultancy focused on helping CEOs and leaders align on strategic objectives, drawing from his experience as a college rower and his role as an organizational “coxswain.” After suffering a serious stroke during heart surgery in 2022, Whitmire’s recovery deepened his commitment to prioritizing relational over transactional approaches in life and leadership. A Harvard graduate and California native, he is the co-author of Freed to Lead: F3 and the Unshackling of the Modern-day Warrior and is working on a new book, The 91 Percent Solution.

In this episode, Dean Newlund and Tim Whitmire discuss:

Growth through transformative life events
Community as a remedy for isolation
The power of relational leadership practices
Sustainable effort as a path to success
Transforming workplace culture to foster connection

Key Takeaways:

Physical fitness and strong, authentic relationships provide vital support during recovery from life-changing challenges, fostering resilience and growth.
Structured communities address loneliness by creating opportunities for meaningful relationships, shared purpose, and mutual support.
Leadership that focuses on relational connections rather than transactional interactions builds trust, engagement, and stronger teams.
Prioritizing sustainable effort through approaches like the “91% Solution” promotes balanced achievement, long-term productivity, and personal well-being.

"I feel like that 91 percent expectation is a reasonable standard. If you're hitting things with 91 percent consistency and expect that of other people, I think that's acceptable.” — Tim Whitmire

Connect with Tim Whitmire:

Website: https://www.cxnadvisory.com/

Email: tim@cxnadvisory.com

X (Twitter): https://x.com/trwhitmire_obt & https://x.com/advisorycxn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cxn_advisory

See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I

Connect with Dean:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw

Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/

The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund