080: If There Is a Problem, Tackle It Head On

The Leadership Nature Podcast

Brad Simpkins is the Director and State Forester of the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands. He is responsible for forestry, forest management, and forest lands. Brad has worked for the division since 1998 and became the State Forester when he was 35. On the show, Brad discusses the beautiful and diverse wildlands of New Hampshire, how leadership is different on the State Forester level, and why he loves working with the younger generation.

Key Takeaways:

[:55] A message from Leadership Nature.

[1:35] A quick intro about Brad’s background.

[2:50] How did Brad become interested in forestry?

[5:05] What has Brad’s experience been like while working with the younger generation?

[10:00] After school, what were some of the first forestry jobs he took on?

[12:55] What types of wildland does New Hampshire have?

[15:05] What was the transition like from being more of an employee to a manager?

[18:00] Brad discusses how his team reacted to him when he first became a supervisor.

[20:20] How long does it really take for a person to settle into a new role?

[21:25] What job has been the most fun for Brad to do so far?

[25:10] Brad discusses some of the new projects being added to the New Hampshire. Division of Forests and Lands.

[30:55] Brad works a lot with the state’s legislators and representatives to help keep them informed about what goes on in forestry.

[32:55] Brad discusses the leadership differences between being a manager vs. being a state forester.

[39:45] What does Brad love about working with the next generation?

[44:20] What does the profession need to be better at in order to be prepared for the future?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Nhdfl.org

Crucial Conversations, by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan

Brad on LinkedIn