Hello, and welcome to the Leadership Done Right Podcast, Episode 28: Lead For Transformation with Richard Osmann.
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Get to Know Richard
Our guest today has expertise in International Business, Capital Raising, Infrastructure Funding, Business Growth, Business Transformation, Negotiation Facilitating, International Trade and Development, Infrastructure Development, and Global business Growth.
Richard’s Professional Experience and Educational Background
He is a principal at Provanedge and has held a variety of positions in leadership. He was the director of a community service organization, then held back to back roles as the department director for Community Health Care. From there, he became the CISD Team Administrator at Western Virginia EMS Council. Currently, in addition to roles and responsibilities as Provanedge, he is also a Non Executive Director for Kester Bottling Company.
He graduated from The College of William and Mary with a doctorate degree in Higher Education and received his Master’s degree in divinity from Emory University. He took his education very seriously and earned the honors of Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude respectively.
My Connection with Richard
We connected through the LinkedIn Group Informal Leadership. It is evident that he is an experienced leader. Our guest today is Richard Osmann. Richard, welcome to the show!
Lead for Transformation
Richard explained that the key to his background is that his goal is always to lead for transformation. “We mature throughout life. I’m not saying that any role I’ve had previously was less mature than the one I’m doing now. But, the key element of all this is transformation.” Each position he’s held focused on different aspects of life and the community with the common thread to lead for transformation.
When you lead for transformation, it involves taking life that is not ideal and helping people move towards something better. His role now is to help transform lives and communities through infrastructure projects, helping entrepreneurs, etc. For example, an infrastructure project transforms people and the community to be better.
Once you understand the principles to lead for transformation you can do it in any environment or industry. With the mindset of transformation, you can help people wherever you are. You just have to skill yourself up to change industries and environments.
Technical skills aside, you’re dealing with people first and foremost. You have to build trust, credibility, and a team. The team is often more than just the people running the project and comes from a variety of backgrounds. The key is getting people to work together for the good as you lead for transformation.
Leadership v. Management
Let’s look at leadership versus management. Managing is done for more the technical aspect. It is done for the process and procedures that lead to a result. Leadership on the other hand has a duel focus that also focuses on the people involved. It focuses on developing the people so that the result will be what is needed. Leadership focuses on the whole person and what they bring to the table where management focuses on the results.
As you lead for transformation, it’s very important to build a team. To lead a team, you want the members to internalize the goal. They also need to be able to lead themselves and those other members of the team. By internalizing the goal and leading others, they undergo a transformation.
An example of a great leader is Mahatma Gandhi. He was a man that had nothing but was able to mobilize a whole nation with his ideals and influence. His leadership has lasted far beyond his death. Another great leader was Dalai Lama. He also had little hierarchal power but influenced people for good.
Other Great Topics
Richard and I also discussed leadership and learning through challenges and stressful situations, the power of perseverance, and situational leadership. Leadership is not an event. It is a journey.
Here’s some other key points we discussed:
- Learn what you need to learn as you progress.
- Don’t be afraid to fail.
- You can’t lead everybody. You are suited to lead certain people so be selective on who you will lead.
- The relationships are the organization.
The Speed Round
- Who is the one leader you look up to most and why? Mother Teresa because she met with world, business, and political leaders and could get them to bend to her will. She used moral authority and influence to get people to take positive action.
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? If you don’t try, you already failed.
- What’s a personal habit that contributes to your success? Discipline without question.
- If you could recommend one book to our listeners, what would it be and why? Intelligent Leadership: What You Need to Know to Unlock Your Full Potential by John Mattone. It is an excellent book and he is an excellent leader.
- On a light-hearted note, what is your favorite hobby? Landscaping because I love growing things.
Connect With Richard
What’s the best way to connect with Richard?
- Richard Osmann:
- Provanedge
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1267965/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/provanedge/
- Website: http://provanedge.com
One Final Question
If you could go back in time and give yourself advice when you first started your leadership journey, what would it be and why? Don’t worry about the outcome, it will all be okay.
Wrap-up
Thank you for listening to this episode of the Leadership Done Right Podcast. If you would like to listen to the next episode of this podcast, please subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or whatever other podcast platform you use. You can also check out the full list of episodes and platforms with this podcast at LeadershipDoneRight.com/LDRPodcast.
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Thanks again for listening! My goal is to help you become a great leader, now go be the best leader you can be!
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