EP 302 – The Choice of Leadership with Chris Thomson (Part 2 of 2)

Chris Thomson - Paper Napkin Wisdom - Cancer is a journey.

In this second half of our powerful conversation with Chris Thomson, we dive deeper into the mindset, discipline, and leadership lessons that have guided him through decades of transforming students into high-performing entrepreneurs. Chris is the Head Coach of the Student Works Management Program, a business that has trained thousands of young leaders across Canada. His story is one of building people, systems, and a culture that thrives on ownership and accountability. 

His wife, Helen Thomson, is his business partner and CEO of the Student Works Management Program and together they are among the most dynamic pairs of entrepreneurs in the country. Their program has likely help forge more Canadian entrepreneurs than any other program.  

He is also the host of the very popular Leaders of Tomorrow podcast where he features young and dedicated entrepreneurs on their journey to forge their own path in the world. 

Chris’ napkin for this episode reminds us that leadership is not about the title or the authority someone gives you—it’s about the intentional choice you make every day. This distinction is simple yet transformative. It forces us to confront whether we are showing up with the courage, responsibility, and consistency that leadership truly demands. 

Choosing Growth Over Comfort 

Chris points out that most people are wired to choose comfort—it’s the path of least resistance. But leadership requires choosing growth, even when it feels uncomfortable. Growth demands risk, vulnerability, and a willingness to fail forward. His message is clear: every great leader has to wrestle with the temptation of comfort, and the best ones consistently choose growth. 

Take Action: Next time you’re faced with a difficult decision, pause and ask yourself: Am I choosing growth, or am I defaulting to comfort? Write it down and commit to the growth path. 

Building a Culture of Accountability 

One of the strongest threads in Chris’ work is accountability. At Student Works, young leaders are taught not just to deliver results but to own their commitments fully. Chris emphasizes that accountability is the backbone of trust and performance. Without it, teams drift. With it, they thrive. 

Take Action: Introduce a simple accountability rhythm in your team this week. It could be a weekly check-in where everyone reports on one promise made and one promise kept. 

The Discipline of Consistency 

Chris makes it clear that success isn’t built on flashes of brilliance but on disciplined, consistent effort. Leaders set the tone by showing up every day, prepared, focused, and ready to do the hard things. That consistency compounds over time and creates the culture others can rely on. 

Take Action: Identify one leadership behavior you want to model consistently for your team (e.g., starting meetings on time, always closing the loop on commitments). Practice it relentlessly for the next 30 days. 

Mentorship as Multiplication 

A powerful insight Chris shares is the multiplier effect of mentorship. When a leader invests deeply in someone else’s growth, that impact ripples outward exponentially. The students Chris has mentored are now leaders who are mentoring others—creating a legacy of growth and excellence. 

Take Action: Identify one person in your world who has potential but needs encouragement. Reach out, invest time, and open a door for them. 

Owning Your Leadership Journey 

At the core of Chris’ message is ownership. Leaders don’t wait for permission to step up—they own their journey, their choices, and their impact. Leadership is not a someday aspiration. It’s a today decision. 

Take Action: Write down your personal leadership commitment on a napkin. What is the one sentence that captures the leader you want to be? Post it where you’ll see it daily. 

About Chris Thomson 

Chris Thomson is the Head Coach and Leader of the Student Works Management Program, an organization dedicated to building the next generation of entrepreneurs through hands-on business experience. Over decades, Chris has coached thousands of university students to run their own businesses, building a legacy of leaders across Canada. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow the Student Works Management Program for more insights. Follow the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast as well.

At Paper Napkin Wisdom, we believe small ideas can spark big change. What’s your biggest takeaway from Chris’ wisdom? Grab a napkin, write it down, and share it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom. Your next big shift might just start with one small choice.