Podcasts

Season 3 | Young Professionals in Forestry and Natural Resources | Episode 9

#44 | Are you more concerned with being right or doing the right thing?

October 4, 2017 | Terry Baker

Terry Baker is the Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado. On this show, Terry discusses a tough challenge he had to face with upset community members over what the Forest Service was doing in Oregon. It was his job to meet with stakeholders, listen and educate the community in a respectful way. Not only that, he was behind his team and they were behind him in the process. Terry also discusses how he was recruited into forestry and why he fell in love with it soon thereafter. He also points out that when you’re part of the Forest Service, it’s your responsibility to be a good neighbor to the community.

Key Takeaways:

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

[2:25] How did Terry first get started in forestry?

[8:25] What did Terry do during his internship?

[11:20] What was Terry’s university experience like?

[19:40] What does Terry’s mother think about all of this? At first, she wasn’t too sure about it!

[21:40] Not many people are really exposed to forestry and what it entails, and many parents encourage their children to become doctors and lawyers, not foresters.

[24:25] Where has Terry served in his forestry career?

[35:00] What did Terry learn from the Goose Creek Project in Oregon?

[49:10] Terry discusses what kind of characteristics make a good leader and provides tips for others.

[1:07:10] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week on the value of being heard.

Mentioned in This Episode:

www.FS.USDA.gov
Terry on LinkedIn
“The Use of the National Forests,” by Gifford Pinchot
“The 8 Greatest Mistakes New Managers Make: surviving your transition to a leadership position,” by Tom Davidson
www.LeadershipNature.com