Podcasts

Season 1 | People You Should Know in Forestry and Natural Resources | Episode 14

#14 | A learning mindset is a critical skill for foresters

December 28, 2016 | Steve Bullard

Dr. Steven H. 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 a M.S. in Forest Management-Economics from Mississippi State University. In 1983, Dr. Bullard earned his Ph.D. in Forest Management-Economics from Virginia Tech. On this week’s episode, Steve shares timeless examples of what makes up a true leader and how you can use your strengths in forestry and natural resources. In addition, Steve emphasizes, “More and more employers are looking for collaborators and team players.”

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:

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck

The Rational Optimist, by Matt Ridley

TED Talk: The Power of Introverts, by Susan Cain

Shackleton’s Journey, by William Grill

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

TED Talk: How to Start a Movement, by Derek Sivers