084: Leadership and Learning Are Indispensable to Each Other

Larry Kotchman has been the State Forester of North Dakota for the last 31 years; he is currently the longest active serving State Forester. As State Forester, Larry is responsible for the administration of the North Dakota Forest Service, managing the agency's $50 million budget, and directing statewide forestry services through three leadership teams. On today's show, Larry discusses why building relationships and trust is a continuous process, leadership lessons he wished he'd learned sooner, and so much more!   Key Takeaways: [:55] A message from Leadership Nature. [1:35] A quick intro about Larry's background. [3:15]  How did Larry become interested in forestry? [6:15] What types of mentors has Larry had over the years? [9:30] Larry shares what his first formal leadership job was like. [12:25] As a State Forester, how is the leadership different compared to a more frontline manager? [17:35] What was Larry's experience like at Harvard? How does the executive fellow program on leadership work? [19:50] What is like being the State Forester for North Dakota and what exciting programs are up ahead for the state? [22:05] What's the hardest part of being a leader? [25:10] As a leader, it's important to not only lead but to also shape the environment you're in so that your team remains calm and has the confidence to excel at their tasks. [27:20] What does Larry mean when he says that formal authority has its limitations? [29:55] When making a transition to a different level of leadership, what are some of the best things you can do to handle that transition with your colleagues? [32:05] What did Larry wish he'd learned sooner about leadership? [38:25] Learning how to communicate effectively is a highly sought-after skill. [42:25] Larry shares his thoughts about the future of forestry. [47:25] Larry recommends reading the book, A Sand County Almanac!   Mentioned in This Episode: Ag.ndsu.edu A Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections) by Aldo Leopold Larry on LinkedIn