• [ ] What is your current title/job description?

I have a private practice doing leadership coaching, but that isn't my day job. In my 9-5, I am the Program Director for a housing organization. We create shared housing solutions for homeless people.

• [ ] What kind of work does that imply?

I manage and lead a team of 4 staff that work to make 25 homes and 110 individuals stay operational. I carry the burden of managing the finances, workplace challenges, and daily operations that allow my team to be successful in helping 110 individuals to have stable housing. This is no small feat since most people are homeless due to a propensity towards chaos in their lives.

• [ ] When you say leadership what do you mean exactly?

Simply the act of leading others forward. I don't believe that leadership is tied to a title or position. Leadership is tied to the person that picks up the task that no one wants and takes a risk to move it forward.

• [ ] Is someone naturally more skilled than others? Or is leadership something that you can learn? Yes and no. There are those that seem to naturally rise to challenges and find themselves leading. However, leadership is what happens when you look around and see that no one is picking up the button and you say, I guess I'll do it. Then you take off and run with it as far as you can. Trusting that someone else will pick it up and take it the distance. Smart leaders are always on the lookout for who they can pass the button on onto.
• [ ] If you had one skill that you could teach an entry-level employee what would it be?

Listen more than you talk. Second, ask great questions. Third, do what you say you will do.

• [ ] Obviously, this podcast is geared towards Software Engineers, and new developers, what advice would you give them to work towards getting promoted in their field?

Listen, really listen and if you have questions, ask. Don't assume you know what someone is asking for. Secondly, I think that you need to think systemically. Everyone and everything connects. You can't exist in a tiny insular bubble. That little bubble is one component of a massive batch of bubbles that make foam. Think bubble bath and you are one tiny component. Just like that, you do your best work when you find ways to connect and be a part of the system. Third, move forward. Always move forward with your strengths. Look for fixes to weakness, but don't get stuck in them. Your power and energy are in forward momentum so learn to fail quickly and get over it.

• [ ] What was the one most impactful work event that changed your life?

I was really successful with a tiny small profit and got the attention of a county department in our community...

• [ ] Was there ever a moment where you just clearly saw what path to take to get to where you are today?

No, I simply did the next right thing.

• [ ] What would you say are the most critical skills that people should learn to be a great leader in a workplace?
• [ ] In leadership when there are issues the top tends to take the brunt of the criticism, how do you cope when everything goes wrong, and the blame hits leadership?
• [ ] I feel like everyone has a process for working through different things. Do you have a process that you work through when you are making decisions for the organization and team that you lead?
• [ ] For me, one of the hardest things to deal with was the hiring, and firing of staff. Hiring great people for a position is rough, what do you do to ensure that you are hiring the best person to fit the culture and the goals of the organization? Firing is naturally difficult because in most cases you build a relationship with someone who you work with, or who works for you. How do you terminate someone with as little trauma, and drama as possible?
• [ ] Finally, Where can people get in touch with you if they want to sign up with you to learn leadership skills, and additionally, how can people support the non-profit that you work for?