Podcasts

Season 1 | People You Should Know in Forestry and Natural Resources | Episode 7

#7 | You can’t be successful if everyone hates you. At the same time, you can’t be everybody’s friend

October 5, 2016 | Bill Crapser

Bill Crapser is currently the State Forester for the Wyoming State Forestry Division and president of the National Association of State Foresters. Bill is a well-accomplished forester who admits that being the boss isn’t always easy. He says that it is 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 expression these days, saying that although it’s good advice, young leaders should not let the talkers manipulate them into making bad or easy decisions.

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 veteran 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.wsfd.wyo.gov
Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose
The T.H. Kelly Handbook, by Tom Kelly
The 8 Greatest Mistakes New Managers Make, by Tom Davidson
www.leadershipnature.com