David Smith was born and raised in Hawaii and began his career as a biologist in 1983. Today, he is the State Forester and the Forestry and Wildlife Administrator for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hawaii. On today’s show, David talks about the diverse ecosystem of Hawaii, how good leaders talk it out — not shout it out — and to not beat yourself up too much if you get passed up for a promotion.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about David’s background.
[2:40] How did David become interested in forestry?
[3:50] What types of jobs have been the most memorable for David?
[6:10] What was David’s first leadership position?
[7:45] David discusses what kinds of things began to change during the leadership position.
[10:05] What is Hawaii’s ecosystem like?
[18:35] What’s David the proudest of?
[27:00] Don’t raise your voice. Talk it out. Most of us have 95% in common.
[31:00] Designing an effective process is crucial. David shares an example of what he means by a ‘good’ process.
[33:35] What advice does David have for younger professionals wanting to get started?
[41:05] How does David attract and retain talent?
[45:25] Don’t get too upset if you’re not moving up quick enough.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect, by Bob Rotella and Robert Cullen
A Pattern Language: Towns, Building, Construction, by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, and Murray Silverstein
Gerry Day is the State Forester and Deputy Supervisor for Wildfire for the state of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, a position he’s held since 2017. Gerry is responsible for forest health and wildland fire programs in the department as well as preparing and suppressing wildfires, fire training, and firefighting aviation operations. Gerry has over 40 years of experience and discusses some of the fantastic leadership opportunities you can have while in firefighting.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Gerry’s background.
[3:00] How did Gerry become interested in forestry?
[5:10] What kind of leadership lessons did Gerry learn about while being a firefighter?
[7:10] What’s the best way for a young professional to become part of the fire community?
[10:05] How did Gerry transition from being a firefighter to where he is today?
[16:35] What was Gerry’s first leadership position like?
[19:40] What does Gerry mean when ‘followship is part of leadership’?
[21:45] Has Gerry noticed a difference in leadership the more senior he has become in his positions and roles?
[26:15] Take a close look at your own biases.
[29:05] Everything is a learning opportunity.
[34:20] When Gerry stepped into a new leadership role in 1996, it took him around 8-10 months before he could fully understand the business. You have to understand the business first before you start shaking things up.
[36:35] What is Gerry most proud of in his current position?
[39:45] Really take a moment and listen to the younger generation or even the newer guys coming in. They have a completely unique perspective.
[43:05] What advice does Gerry have for young professionals?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Gerry Day is the State Forester and Deputy Supervisor for Wildfire for the state of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources, a position he’s held since 2017. Gerry is responsible for forest health and wildland fire programs in the department as well as preparing and suppressing wildfires, fire training, and firefighting aviation operations. Gerry has over 40 years of experience and discusses some of the fantastic leadership opportunities you can have while in firefighting.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Gerry’s background.
[3:00] How did Gerry become interested in forestry?
[5:10] What kind of leadership lessons did Gerry learn about while being a firefighter?
[7:10] What’s the best way for a young professional to become part of the fire community?
[10:05] How did Gerry transition from being a firefighter to where he is today?
[16:35] What was Gerry’s first leadership position like?
[19:40] What does Gerry mean when ‘followship is part of leadership’?
[21:45] Has Gerry noticed a difference in leadership the more senior he has become in his positions and roles?
[26:15] Take a close look at your own biases.
[29:05] Everything is a learning opportunity.
[34:20] When Gerry stepped into a new leadership role in 1996, it took him around 8-10 months before he could fully understand the business. You have to understand the business first before you start shaking things up.
[36:35] What is Gerry most proud of in his current position?
[39:45] Really take a moment and listen to the younger generation or even the newer guys coming in. They have a completely unique perspective.
[43:05] What advice does Gerry have for young professionals?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Joe Fox is the Arkansas State Forester and oversees the Arkansas Forestry Commission, a position he has held since 2012. Joe is a native of Arkansas and worked a family-owned lumber business for over 20 years. He is also the former President of the Arkansas Forestry Association and former Chair of the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Joe is a third-generation forester and on the show, he discusses some of the leadership differences from being a family-owned business to running the Arkansas Forestry Commission, why you can never have too many friends, and so much more!
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:35] A quick intro about Joe’s background.
[3:20] How did Joe become interested in forestry?
[6:45] Does Joe recommend that young foresters also get a business education as well?
[8:25] What was Joe’s first job out of forestry school?
[11:00] Joe discusses some of the mentors he has had throughout his career.
[14:45] Why did Joe leave his family’s forestry business and set out on his own?
[19:15] You can never have too many friends! Relationships are still the number one reason people join churches or become foresters.
[25:55] What has Joe learned about leadership while being the CEO of an agency?
[28:55] Plan your work and work your plan.
[29:50] What does Joe wish he learned sooner about leadership?
[30:00] Joe never learned anything while he was talking!
[32:00] What kind of leadership principles would Joe like to convey to the new leaders out there?
[35:10] Remember, words mean things.
[36:45] Joe discusses what he likes about working with the younger generation.
[38:45] What are some of the ways we can attract and retain our young talent?
[41:35] Respect all the different types of people that you come across in your work.
[44:05] Joe recommends reading the book Masters of the Air.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany,
by Donald L. Miller
Rick Oates was appointed the State Forester of Alabama in 2017. In his role, he leads the Alabama Forestry Commission, which protects and sustains Alamba’s 203 million acres of forest land and he also helps educate the public about the importance of forestry to the environment and the economy of the state. Rick has over 20 years of forestry experience and on today’s show, he shares some of the challenges of being a state forester in today’s world. Resources are becoming limited, foresters are needed more than ever to find efficient solutions.
Key Takeaways:
[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Rick ’s background.
[3:00] How did Rick become interested in forestry?
[6:35] What kind of work did Rick do while he was getting his education?
[11:10] Tom tried growing a beard to help himself look older when he was leading his older peers.
[13:05] What has been the most rewarding work Rick has done so far?
[16:45] How is leadership different at the ‘top’ compared to more frontline management?
[19:45] Rick discusses why it’s so critical to have a mentor or somebody to confide in.
[25:35] You will make mistakes. Own up to it and get your team involved to help find new solutions.
[32:00] What has Rick learned so far about the next generation of professionals he’s working with?
[34:00] How does Rick retain and keep young talent in today’s world?
[36:25] What recommendations does Rick have for leadership resources and training?
[38:50] Where does Rick think the future of forestry is headed?
[41:30] Natural resources are going to become more and more limited and we need to find ways to use them most efficiently.
[43:25] Rick has a goal to read a biography about each and everyone of our Presidents and their leadership styles.
Mentioned in This Episode: