Greatest Hits: Cress Williams — From Reluctant Leader to Black Lightning

We’re excited to share a new chapter of Beyond High Performance. As we transition from our MPS Moments series into a new Greatest Hits collection, we’ll be revisiting some of the most powerful and timeless conversations from past episodes.

In this Greatest Hits episode of Beyond High Performance, we revisit Jason Jaggard’s conversation with American  actor and producer Cress Williams — best known for his roles in The West Wing, Friday Night Lights, Hart of Dixie, and as the first Black superhero on network television in Black Lightning.

From navigating rejection to embracing leadership, Cress shares how his career evolved from supporting roles to carrying the mantle of a cultural icon. He opens up about lessons learned from Drew Barrymore, the responsibility of representation, and how forgiveness transformed his personal life.

Whether you’re in film, business, or leading a team, Cress’s story is a masterclass in humility, resilience, and authentic leadership.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

🎬 From reluctant leader to role model — how Cress grew into leadership on and off set
🌟 Lessons from Drew Barrymore — why compassion and presence make great leaders
🤝 Supporting roles done well — why thriving as “second” builds stronger teams
⚡ Rejection to opportunity — how losing Luke Cage paved the way for Black Lightning
👨‍👧 Family and integrity — why Cress refused to sacrifice fatherhood for fame
💡Forgiveness and redemption — the powerful story of reconciling with his father

Listen to the full episode here on Spotify and here on Apple Podcasts.

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