Podcasts

Season 5 | Professionals of Color in Forestry | Episode 8

#129 | Helping people realize their full potential

January 5, 2021 | Myron Floyd

Dr. Myron F. Floyd is currently Dean of the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University. He is also professor of parks and natural resources management. Throughout his 30-year career, his research has focused on understanding racial and ethnic disparities in access to public parks and green space. He holds BS and MS degrees from Clemson University and a PhD from Texas A&M University. Myron’s first permanent job was Park Ranger at Poinsett State Park near Sumter SC.

Click the play bar above to listen, or watch the interview here.

Key Takeaways: 

[:45] A quick intro about Dr. Floyd’s background.

[2:45] How did Dr. Floyd get started in natural resources?

[4:50] Dr. Floyd fell in love with the history of why we have parks, public lands, and forests. He wanted to be part of it.

[5:55] What makes a good teacher? Dr. Floyd shares a little bit about one of his favorite professors in school and how it helped captivate his love for forests.

[8:05] What was Dr. Floyd’s first leadership position?

[12:30] Dr. Floyd shares the skillsets he had to learn when he transitioned from a team of one to leading others.

[14:55] Faculty members are a unique species. They tend to be focused on people with their own expertise, but it can sometimes be difficult to have a broader view of the whole ecosystem as a whole. 

[16:55] How does Dr. Floyd define leadership?

[18:10] Mentoring is really rewarding work for Dr. Floyd. He wants to help students see their full potential and believes the job of a leader is to help people unlock that potential.

[19:25] Who were some of Dr. Floyd’s mentors?

[27:05] How do you find a good mentor? 

[31:55] What is Dr. Floyd proud of in his career?

[36:25] What does Dr. Floyd wish he’d learned sooner in his career?

[40:25] Where is the future of the forestry profession headed? 

[46:45] How do you make an exceptional leader? 

Mentioned in This Episode: 

Cnr.ncsu.edu/directory/myron-floyd 

Dr. Myron on Twitter