Why is networking important for professional development?

Networking connects professionals with opportunities, ideas, and people who can accelerate their growth. Strong networks provide support, accountability, and access to mentors and collaborators. Building these relationships intentionally creates a foundation for long-term career success.

How do you find a good mentor?

Finding a mentor starts with identifying people whose experience and values align with your goals. Approaching potential mentors with clarity about what you hope to learn and showing genuine respect for their time increases the likelihood of a meaningful relationship. Communities and professional organizations are common places to make those initial connections.

What is servant leadership and how does it apply to career growth?

Servant leadership is a philosophy that prioritizes the needs and development of others over personal gain or authority. In a career context, it means investing in colleagues, sharing knowledge, and creating environments where others can thrive. Practicing servant leadership builds trust, deepens relationships, and often elevates the leader's own influence and impact over time.

Owning Your Development by Building Network...

Owning Your Development by Building Networks, Finding Mentors, and Embracing Servant Leadership

Jason Winningham explores how intentional career development is shaped by building meaningful networks, seeking mentors, and adopting a servant leadership mindset. He argues that growth extends beyond technical skills to encompass purpose, relationships, and community. Each deliberate choice contributes to a larger professional journey with broader impact.

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By Jason Winningham · October 14, 2025, 11:00 AM UTCCareer DevelopmentEdward JonesProfessional GrowthProfessional Quotient

Key takeaways

Owning your career development requires intentional relationship-building and networking.

Mentorship plays a critical role in guiding professional growth and expanding perspective.

Servant leadership—prioritizing the growth of others—amplifies personal and organizational impact.

At the heart of every career journey is the question of how we grow—not just in skills, but in purpose, relationships, and impact. That kind of growth takes shape through everyday choices, the mentors who guide us, and the communities that stretch us to become more. Each step forward becomes part of a larger story of leadership, professional development, and ultimately, servant leadership.

In this episode of Professional Quotient, Jason Winningham sits down with Tim Winningham, department leader at Edward Jones, for a powerful conversation about how to intentionally grow your career, build meaningful connections, and lead with purpose.

From answering phones to leading a department of over 100 associates, Tim shares how his journey was built on intentional development, courageous community-building, and a deep belief in servant leadership.

Together, they explore:

– How professional equity compounds through skill-building, networking, and service.

– Why culture isn’t top-down—it’s all around.

– How informal mentorship and community can accelerate your career.

– The role of sports, coaching, and family in shaping leadership.

– What it really means to own your development.

Tim Winningham is a department leader at Edward Jones with over 12 years of experience driving operational excellence, leadership development, and large-scale team growth. He has led major transformations, including doubling the size of his department, onboarding over 80 associates and multiple team leaders, and creating structured learning journeys to advance talent development. With a background spanning service operations, training, and client-focused solutions, Tim is recognized for innovative problem-solving, mentorship, and building resilient, high-performing teams.

Whether you’re just starting your career or leading a large team, this episode will challenge you to take ownership of your growth, build authentic connections, and embrace servant leadership as the foundation for lasting impact.