You don’t become a leader overnight, and this is exactly why Denise Coleman is the perfect guest for today’s show. Denise is a State Conservationist at the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Pennsylvania. Denise has been involved in this fantastic industry since 1992, and has overseen how the industry has changed over the years — especially for women. Find out more on this week’s episode!
Key Takeaways:
[3:45] How did Denise get started?
[6:15] When Denise took her first leadership position, what was it like?
[10:15] Were there many women in the natural resources field when Denise got started?
[11:50] Over the years, more women have entered into this industry; what has changed?
[13:50] Denise discusses how she found good mentors throughout her career.
[16:50] What’s it like being a mentor?
[19:05] What does Denise look for in a natural resource professional?
[21:50] What was the transition like for Denise, to go from a contributor to a leader?
[24:35] What lessons has Denise learned as a leader?
[25:15] At the end of the day, people will question your decisions, and you should always have strong reasons why you did what you did.
[27:55] What types of trends should young foresters be aware of?
[31:05] Denise discusses the types of skills people in this field will need, when it comes to leadership.
[34:15] You have to be flexible and be open to change.
[35:00] What’s different about leading on an executive level?
[38:05] What’s one piece of advice Denise would give to up-and-coming leaders?
[40:05] Denise recommends reading John Wooden’s books.
[41:25] Are leaders born or made?
[42:50] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
R. Scott Wallinger, Sr. is a retired forester and advisor in forest sustainability. Throughout his career, he has worked in a number of impressive positions from an international leadership perspective. Scott graduated from Yale University with a masters in forestry in 1960, which means he has seen a lot of evolution in the industry over the decades. Get ready to learn from Scott’s extensive leadership wisdom on today’s episode.
Key Takeaways:
[3:20] What got Scott interested in forestry?
[7:35] What did Scott learn from being on committees where he wasn't the leader?
[11:50] Scott discusses his time as Senior Vice President at the Westvaco corporation.
[14:00] What’s Scott’s global view of leadership, after working on such an international level?
[20:00] Scott has seen the forestry profession evolve in a number of ways over the years. The public is much more concerned about how corporations are destroying the environment in today’s modern time.
[24:10] When Scott finished forestry school in the 1960’s, the text books at the time focused on a very small aspect of the forest.
[27:45] There’s universal agreement that graduate foresters today need more managerial and social skills to meet the needs of their job.
[34:15] Are we leading towards a more utilitarian or holistic method of forestry? Is there a balance?
[39:05] What does leadership mean to Scott?
[42:50] When it comes to leadership, Scott recommends everyone read about T. E. Lawrence.
[45:25] You can learn a lot about leadership from reading about other leaders.
[47:55] Are leaders born or made?
[53:15] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Sam Cook is the Executive Director of Forest Assets at North Carolina State College of Natural Resources. Sam first began studying forestry in 1979, at Tuskegee University. At the time, there were very few African Americans in the industry, and Sam knew he had to be part of his own success, if he wanted to make it in forestry. Now, the industry has expanded, and more people of color have joined the forestry ranks. Sam discusses how diversity has increased over the years, what young leaders need to know today, and some of the common mistakes leaders tend to make.
Key Takeaways:
[2:30] How did Sam get involved in forestry?
[8:40] Sam understood early on that he had to be part of his own success.
[9:45] How does Sam define what a mentor is?
[11:30] When Sam first joined the forestry industry in the 90’s, not a lot of people in his field were African American.
[12:15] Fast forward today, how has the forestry business changed for people of color?
[13:10] Sam attended Tuskegee University in 1979. How has it changed over the years? What forestry programs do they offer today?
[21:30] What kind of leadership lessons has Sam learned throughout his extensive career?
[24:45] How can people, young and old, learn to be better leaders?
[25:15] What are some of the common mistakes leaders tend to make?
[30:30] A lot of foresters don’t know how much work is really involved until they’re in the trenches. Some things can’t be taught in school.
[31:50] Why are foresters bad communicators?
[36:00] What kind of challenges will foresters face in the years ahead?
[38:40] Sam’s favorite movie is The Hunt for Red October.
[42:20] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Joann Cox was one of the first women to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Texas A&M University. In addition, Joann has 40 years of research experience, in the field of forestry across the United States. On this week’s episode, Joann discusses what makes leaders great, the importance of mentors in our lives, and why stepping up and volunteering can be one of the best options for you at the beginning of your career.
Key Takeaways:
[2:20] Who is Joann?
[3:55] How did Joann end up at Texas A&M for her Bachelor's degree?
[5:20] How was the transition from New Jersey to Texas?
[8:15] What was it like to be in a supervisor role for the first time?
[10:15] What’s the difference between leadership and management?
[12:10] How can people learn to inspire others?
[14:15] What is Joann most proud of, looking back?
[17:15] Joann talks about the importance of mentors throughout her career.
[19:30] How does a mentor differ from being a role model or a coach?
[21:55] What should young foresters learn early on in their career?
[26:15] Be persistent at volunteering, and put yourself out there.
[27:15] What kind of challenges will leaders face in the years ahead?
[29:22] Joann encourages young students to step forward and take on a leadership role. It is not as scary as you might think!
[34:15] Leadership isn’t always about the spotlight. It’s about finding out what’s best for your people.
[36:40] Are leaders born or made?
[38:25] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode: