Dr. Steve Bullard is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Stephen F. Austin State University. He has both a B.S. in Forestry as well as an M.S. in Forest Management-Economics. In 1983, Dr. Bullard earned his Ph.D. in Forest Management-Economics at Virginia Polytechnic. On this week’s episode, Dr. Bullard shares timeless examples of what makes up a true leader, and how you can use your strengths in forestry.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] How did Dr. Bullard get involved with forestry?

[6:05] What was Dr. Bullard’s first forestry job or task?

[11:00] The need for foresters to improve their people skills is growing.

[12:25] Industry experts have been saying the same things for decades now!

[17:10] When did Dr. Bullard get excited about leadership and developing his people’s skills?

[22:50] Employers are seeking more and more team-players in the industry.

[25:00] We have more opportunities in forestry than we did years before.

[27:15] According to the author Bruce Tulgan, people are hired by their hard skills, but they’re fired by their soft skills.
[31:20] People will follow you because they believe what you be believe.

[35:45] Dr. Bullard read the book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ three times before he fully understood, and could use, the knowledge inside it.

[37:35] How do you start a movement?

[39:25] Where does the idea of ‘learning the hard way’ fit into all of this?

[48:40] Are leaders born, or made?

[52:05] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Dr. Steve Bullard

The Power of Introverts ― TED Talk

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain

Bridging the Soft Skills Gap: How to Teach the Missing Basics to Today’s Young Talent, by Bruce Tulgan

Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action, by Simon Sinek

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey

How to Start a Movement ― TED Talk

Steve McMullin has been learning, practicing, and teaching leadership and natural resources throughout his 40-year career. Steve began his career as a Fisheries Biologist in Montana. After rising up in the ranks in Montana state, Steve left, mid-career, and joined Virginia Tech to earn his PhD, which is where he stayed for the last 23 years. Steve is now a Professor Emeritus at Virginia Tech, where he used to teach students courses on leadership. According to Steve, there are two important skills he wishes every young or emerging leader to develop. Find out what those are, on this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

[2:55] What first got Steve interested in wildlife and natural resources?

[5:15] What are some of the key differences between a younger student and mid-career professional learning about leadership?

[6:40] How can our youth get involved with the department of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech?

[12:00] Steve is not aware of any other program that is as extensive as Virginia Tech’s program for undergraduates.

[14:50] What are some of the main things Steve tried to get his students to learn from the college program?
[15:45] There are two important factors to know, in order to be an effective leader.

[18:00] Don’t let who you are, or your personality type, limit you.

[20:45] Don’t waste your time taking a 4-hour personality type, Myer & Briggs-esque, course.

[22:50] All confidence and no skill is a bad look for a leader.

[24:05] You don’t have to be an outgoing and extroverted person to be an effective leader.

[26:50] How does someone learn leadership skills if they aren’t exposed to a program like the one at Virginia Tech?

[31:20] Keep reading leadership books!

[34:35] You can also learn a lot about leadership from volunteering!

[41:35] Remember, we’re in the people business too.

[43:15] Steve recommends the book, Grit, by Angela Duckworth.

[48:00] Are leaders born or made?

[50:55] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.davidsonleadership.com

www.fishwild.vt.edu

Grit, by Angela Duckworth

Team of Rivals, by Doris Goodwin

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:

www.davidsonleadership.com

John Wooden

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:

www.davidsonleadership.com

Scott on LinkedIn

T.E. Lawrence

Winston S. Churchill Speech - "The Finest Hour"

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:

www.davidsonleadership.com

Sam on LinkedIn

Clifton StrengthsFinder

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:

www.davidsonleadership.com

www.essm.tamu.edu

Doug Decker is the State Forester at the Oregon Department of Forestry. He is an informal historian and widely hailed as a strong communicator and leader. Doug has been in the forestry industry since 1987, and will be retiring this chapter of his life in the next two weeks. On the episode, Doug discusses that good leaders will sometimes have to make tough decisions, and those decisions may let some people down. He believes it’s important a young forester be prepared for this aspect of their career.

Key Takeaways:

[2:30] Doug is two weeks away from retirement, yet he has three jobs waiting for him on the other side.

[2:55] How did Doug get started in his career?

[6:20] It’s important to be able to tell the story, and stay relevant to a public that’s not necessarily invested in the natural forestry industry.

[8:25] What do foresters do well in this industry, and what do they need to do more of?

[10:45] To become a good communicator, is it really just a question of learning the skill or is it the will to learn?

[13:50] What kind of skills should a leader know?

[16:20] You have to be willing to disappoint people. As a leader, you will be called upon during hard times, when tough decisions need to be made.

[17:10] One of the responsibilities of a leader is to be able to manage the throttle on change.

[17:45] Doug doesn’t like to let folks down, but sometimes it’s part of the job. In order to accept change, we have to be willing to give some things up.

[21:20] How has being a teacher of history helped Doug become a better leader?

[26:25] When Doug retires, what does he plan to do in Portland state?

[28:35] After 29 years in the industry, Doug is ready for another chapter of his life.

[29:20] What advice would Doug give to the young foresters out there?

[31:40] How does Doug define leadership?

[34:15] Doug recommends the book Leadership on the Line, by Martin Linsky.

[35:05] Are leaders born or made?

[37:05] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.davidsonleadership.com

www.oregon.gov/

Leadership on the Line, by Martin Linsky

Aaron Everett has been the State Forester of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources since 2010. Aaron believes that in order to be an effective leader, young foresters need to have a vision; either your own or the organization’s vision; and have the right people on the team to help achieve those big-picture goals. In order to be a good leader and a respected one, young professionals have to construct themselves as someone that people can emulate and follow. What you say and how you act does have an impact on your team.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] Why did Aaron become a state forester?

[4:35] What was Aaron’s first job?

[8:55] We think this business is about the tree, but really it’s about the people.

[10:35] What types of skills do leaders need?

[11:20] What you say and do, and how you act and behave, does set an example for other people.

[11:45] Notice and celebrate your team’s success.

[12:25] A leader needs to have a balance between not accepting the status quo, and following a compass to what's right.

[13:10] What does it mean to Aaron to be a leader?

[14:20] What are most foresters already good at, when it comes to leadership skills?

[15:55] What kind of challenges has Aaron overcome?

[20:45] What helped accelerate Aaron in his leadership?

[24:50] Where does Aaron see the future of forestry going?

[29:55] Aaron shares his final piece of advice.

[31:40] What’s Aaron’s favorite movie on leadership? The Matrix.

[33:35] Are leaders born or made?

[36:15] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.davidsonleadership.com

www.stateforesters.org/

Dave Lewis is the Vice President of Southern Forestry Consultants, Inc. Dave recognizes that many young foresters are introverts and they joined forestry so they could surround themselves with trees, not people. However, as we enter a new generation of foresters and forestry leaders, Dave believes they need to have loud voices, and to not be afraid to speak to the public about some of the dangers our environment faces.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] How did Dave get started in forestry?

[6:50] What was the transition like from employee to leader?

[8:55] Dave talks about the mentors that have made the biggest impact on him.

[11:25] What did Dave’s mentors see in Dave?

[12:40] How does Dave define leadership?

[14:25] How can someone learn leadership skills?

[15:10] To be a good leader, you have to get your hands dirty. You can’t learn everything from a book.

[16:35] What skills does Dave wish he learned sooner in his career?

[19:15] Remember, not everybody is going to be like you. People skills are highly important in this career.

[19:55] What’s some of the best advice Dave has received on leadership?

[21:00] Dave talks about the future of forestry.

[27:00] What piece of advice does Dave have for young leaders?

[28:35] What do we have to do differently to educate the public?

[32:00] What is Dave’s favorite book or movie on leadership?

[34:10] Are leaders born or made?

[36:25] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.davidsonleadership.com

www.soforest.com

1776 by David McCullough

Bill Crapser is currently the State Forester for the Wyoming State Forestry Division. Bill is a well-accomplished forester who admits that being the boss isn't always easy. It does take a delicate balance between respecting others and making those tough decisions. Bill admits that 'listen more than you speak' is a bit of a buzzword these days, and although good advice, Bill warns young leaders to not let the talkers manipulate you into the bad or easy decision. 

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] How did Bill get interested in forestry?

[3:50] Who has influenced Bill in leadership throughout his career?

[5:00] What does Bill mean by micro- and macro-mentors?

[6:00] When did Bill first get a leadership position?

[7:15] What were some of Bill’s big takeaways from being volunteer leader?

[7:25] Being the boss ain't easy!

[8:10] Bill explains what it was like to get his first paid leadership position.

[9:40] What kind of advice does Bill have on how to lead older employees?

[10:05] You really have to listen more than you speak, but don't allow yourself to be manipulated by others!

[11:05] What prevents people from being more decisive and firm in their decisions?

[14:00] How does Bill define leadership?

[15:55] You have to give people the freedom to make mistakes.

[16:50] Why are mistakes good for leaders?

[21:15] What kind of advice does Bill give to his new foresters?

[25:40] As employers, the forestry industry tends to send mixed messages to universities on what students should be focusing on.

[30:00] Bill talks a little bit about the Wyoming forestry division.

[35:00] Bill shares one last piece of advice before he goes!

[37:30] What book does Bill recommend on leadership?

[43:10] Tom's Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.davidsonleadership.com

www.wsfd.wyo.gov

Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose

The T.H. Kelly Handbook, by Tom Kelly