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The Leadership Nature Podcast

The Leadership Nature Podcast features one-on-one interviews with diverse leaders from across the forestry and natural resources nation, and it is intended to spread the seeds of leadership insights, lessons learned and personal advice from experienced leaders to current and future generations of natural resource leaders. Each episode also includes a leadership tip of the week from the interviewer.
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Now displaying: January, 2019
Jan 30, 2019

Amy McFadden is the Owner of White Oak Forest Management, Inc., which is based in Georgetown, South Carolina. Amy started her forest career with International Paper Company in 1994. Amy also taught at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in the Forest Technician Program and was the department head for four years! On today’s show, Amy highlights the importance of getting to know each person on an individual level, the surprising aspects of forestry consulting, and so much more!

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:45] A quick intro about Amy’s background.

[3:25] How did Amy get started in forestry?

[6:20] What was Amy’s forestry school experience like?

[9:00] What was Amy’s first job at International Paper like?

[13:40] Amy shares a little bit about her job history and what she did after IP.

[20:10] What made Amy decide to take a full-time leap into forestry consulting?

[22:55] What does Amy’s business look like today?

[25:55] Amy shares what she wishes she had learned sooner as a forestry consultant.

[28:25] Amy is incredibly proud of her team.

[30:25] What is the most surprising part about being a forestry consultant?

[31:45] Amy shares some of the challenges forestry consultants will face.

[33:45] What type of leadership lessons has Amy learned about over the years?

[35:25] It’s important to have goals for yourself and for your team to help everybody move in the right direction.

[36:40] Amy shares why she joined ACF.

[39:50] What advice does Amy have for aspiring business owners?

[46:40] “Don’t let your alligator mouth overload your hummingbird behind.”

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Whiteoakforestrysc.com

Amy on LinkedIn

ACF-foresters.org

Eforester.org

Leading with Honor, by Lee Ellis

Jan 22, 2019

Jerry Tugwell is a Forestry Consultant and the President of Tugwell Consulting Forestry in Asheboro, North Carolina. Jerry has over 38 years of forestry experience and is an active member of the ACF community. At ACF, Jerry has served in many roles including Southern Director Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Vice President, and President of the national branch. On today’s episode, Jerry shares what skills he wishes every aspiring forestry consultant knew, timeless leadership lessons, and important resources that’ll help foresters with their continued education.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:45] A quick intro about Jerry’s background.

[3:15] How did Jerry get started in forestry?

[4:20] What was Jerry’s first job like?

[7:25] Jerry describes the wide variety of work you can do as a forestry consultant.

[10:00] What does it take to be a forestry consultant?

[13:30] What are some of the best ways consulting foresters can continue their education?

[16:20] Why is public speaking so important for a forestry consultant?

[17:45] Jerry shares why being a consulting forester is so rewarding.

[19:05] What types of challenges will forestry consultants most often face?

[23:15] What kinds of mentors has Jerry had over the years?

[27:40] Jerry shares what his first leadership position was like.

[36:35] Where are forestry and natural resources headed as professions?

[38:15] You have to be open to change as you advance in your career.

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Tugwellforestry.com

ACF-foresters.org

Eforester.org

Leadership Lessons of Robert E. Lee: Tips, Tactics, and Strategies for Leaders and Managers,
by Bil Holton

Jan 16, 2019

Richard “Carbo” Carbonetti is the Owner and Senior Vice President at Land Vest, a brokerage, consulting, and timberland services firm. The firm oversees and manages 1.7 million acres in the Northeast U.S. Carbo is a licensed forester in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. On today’s episode, Carbo discusses the benefits of working in consulting forestry, how the industry can improve as a whole, and why foresters need to get better at communicating their value to the community.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:50] A quick intro about Carbo’s background.

[4:20] How did Carbo get into forestry?

[9:40] What does Carbo love about being a forester?

[12:45] Carbo didn’t know anything about running a business when he started.

[17:10] Carbo used to drive his classmates crazy because he asked ‘too many’ questions.

[20:15] You gotta embrace change in your life. Carbo knows so many people who are paralyzed with fear because of change.

[25:30] What advice does Carbo have for aspiring forestry consultants?

[28:20] It’s important to remember that people think differently than you do.

[39:45] Carbo shares an example of ‘bad actors’ in the industry.

[43:40] Carbo has been an ACF member for the last 40 years. What are some of the benefits of joining?

[49:40] What kinds of mentors has Carbo had over the years?

[54:30] Forestry programs have changed greatly since Carbo was last in school and compensation rates have not kept up either.

[1:04:50] A lot of foresters actually undercharge for their services.

[1:11:15] What’s one thing about leadership that Carbo wished he’d learned sooner?

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Landvest.com

ACF-foresters.org

Eforester.org

Jan 9, 2019

Mike Warner is the Owner of ArborTerra Consulting, which is located in Lizton, Indiana. With over 40 years of experiences and always being an entrepreneur at heart, Mike lists some of the benefits and challenges of owning your own business. Mike details the importance of writing your dreams and goals on paper early on in your career so you always have an idea of what to aspire to! Find out more about Mike and his expertise on this week’s show!

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:45] A quick intro about Mike’s background.

[4:20] How did Mike get into forestry?

[7:40] What was Mike’s first job like?

[8:40] Mike was inspired by his first boss, Fred Woods, and he helped Mike along the way with his sage advice.

[11:00] Mike remembers another mentor, Jim Akers, who helped him set firm career goals early on.

[13:45] What kind of transition did Mike go through to successfully start two businesses (at the same time).

[16:15] What kind of skills do people need in order to be considered a good forestry consultant?

[20:10] Mike knew the Latin names of trees but he didn’t know how to run a business until he got his feet wet.

[20:25] What does Mike wish he’d learned sooner about managing people?

[23:50] What is Mike most proud of, so far?

[25:20] How does Mike find his talent?

[27:15] What makes ArborTerra different compared to other consulting companies?

[29:30] What kinds of surprises has Mike discovered along the way?

[31:05] Where is the future of forestry headed for the younger generation?

[33:15] How has being a member of ACF helped Mike’s career?

[40:30] Don’t be afraid to try some new directions, especially if the current one isn’t working!

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

ArborTerra.com

ACF-foresters.org

Eforester.org

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You,
by John C. Maxwell and Steven R. Covey

Jan 2, 2019

Phil Sneed is the owner of Blackwell Creek Forestry as well as a Senior Forester. He has over 20 years of experience in managing forests and wildlife habitat and has worked with hundreds of landowners and organizations over the years. In addition, Phil has spent the last 15 years on wildland firefighting assignments in the Western U.S., serving as a Crew Boss and Public Information Officer.

 

Key Takeaways:

[1:05] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:45] A quick intro about Phil’s background.

[3:45] How did Phil get into forestry?

[8:50] What was Phil’s first job like after coming back from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait?

[17:00] It took some time for Phil to really find his place in forestry.

[22:10] What skills do you need to have to get into wildland fire management?

[27:15] Phil is really grateful he keeps up-to-date on his wildland firefighting education.

[29:00] What has contributed to Phil’s early success?

[33:35] What kinds of mentors has Phil had over the years?

[37:00] Phil shares some of the challenges a forestry consultant faces.

[41:00] What was Phil’s first leadership position like?

[48:15] Where is the future of forestry headed for the younger generation?

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Blackwellcreekforestry.com

ACF-foresters.org

Eforester.org

Glory (1989)

Deep Survival, by Laurence Gonzales

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