Today’s guest is Gretchen Nicholas! Gretchen is the Program Manager for the FIA Program at the U.S. Forest Service. With over 30 years of experience, Gretchen has seen the industry change and grow from an all-male-dominated field to a diverse set of people with different backgrounds and cultures. Gretchen is now in her 60s, but says that she is so glad she chose her passion for the outdoors over anything else, especially when higher-paying opportunities arose.
Welcome to Season 2 of the Leadership Nature podcast! Season 2 will be focusing on and featuring women in forestry and natural resources.
Key Takeaways:
[3:00] How did Gretchen get started in this industry?
[6:40] Although Gretchen had other options, she chose to follow her passion and work outdoors.
[8:00] What was it like transitioning into a leadership position?
[10:20] Don’t assume you have to be right all the time.
[13:15] As a leader, it’s important you respect your team, but it’s also important to set high standards. This may mean you won’t always be liked.
[18:55] What were Gretchen’s first 20 years in the business like?
[19:40] Men are not the enemy!
[22:45] What advice does Gretchen have for those who may experience discrimination or harassment in the workforce?
[29:10] Pay attention to what your team is good at. Pay attention to their strengths and play to those strengths.
[31:45] What can men do to help their fellow female co-workers?
[40:10] Be more aware and compassionate towards other cultures, and people of different backgrounds.
[44:00] Where is natural resources headed? What does the future hold for it?
[47:25] Gretchen asks that you watch Invictus.
[51:35] Are leaders born or made?
[54:10] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Welcome to Season 2 of the Leadership Nature podcast! Season 2 will be focusing on and featuring women in forestry and natural resources. Our very first guest is Naomi Markcus! Naomi is the Forest Stewardship Program Coordinator for Colorado State Forest Service. She has over 13 years of experience with state government. On this week’s show, she shares what has kept her passionate throughout the years, and offers wisdom to other aspiring women forestry leaders.
Key Takeaways:
[3:10] How did Naomi get started in forestry?
[4:55] Naomi talks about some of the important mentors in her life.
[8:20] How do you find a good mentor?
[12:05] How does the Colorado/Wyoming Society of American Foresters mentoring program work?
[16:00] Teachers/mentors end up learning more than their students do.
[16:55] What was Naomi’s first leadership position like?
[19:05] What advice does Naomi have for other young female professionals entering into a very male-dominated field?
[19:40] No one can stop you from serving the community!
[21:50] What kind of qualities makes for a good leader?
[23:20] How can we become more effective leaders?
[26:10] What is Naomi most proud of?
[28:00] The CSFS program is not just serving foresters, but it’s also serving families.
[29:10] How do you form strong partnerships with other organizations?
[33:20] What can young professionals do to help our fellow female co-workers?
[37:55] Are leaders born or made? They’re made!
[40:25] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Dick Porterfield graduated from Ohio State University in Forestry and Business Administration. Graduate school included North Carolina State University (M.S.) and Yale University in Economics and Forestry (Ph.D.). Dick has over 21 years of forestry experience, and shares an important leadership lesson that he almost got fired for! There’s a big difference between management and leadership, and an organization will be able to benefit the most when its people are personally driven to the cause; not just organizationally.
Key Takeaways:
[2:50] How did Dick get started in forestry?
[3:40] What was Dick’s first leadership position?
[5:10] What does Dick mean by ‘Sideboards’?
[10:20] How do we discover what the sideboards in an organization are?
[17:35] Understanding ‘why,’ plays a big part in your success, and the success of others.
[19:15] Contributors are indispensable.
[20:50] You don’t have to be a leader, in order to be invaluable. We always NEED experts!
[21:15] What’s the most fun job Dick has ever had in forestry?
[21:55] Dick has been fired twice in his career.
[26:55] What is Dick most proud of in his career?
[27:45] Be respectful towards everyone. You might be working for them one day!
[28:55] What’s the big difference between frontline positions vs, the more senior ones?
[35:35] Where does Dick see forestry going in the future?
[40:35] What piece of advice did Dick wish he got a little sooner?
[44:20] Dick recommends some of his favorite books.
[47:35] Good employees are too hard on themselves.
[51:15] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox
