Hello, I'm Dave and I started Gruntled Leadership to follow my passion and help leaders be their best. I've loved every job I've ever had - and consider myself incredibly lucky to feel that way. I believe that, in business, leadership matters. They own the strategy and the culture - and should be responsible for the health and effectiveness of both. The chasm between great leadership and not-so-great leadership is enormous. Great leadership does not happen by accident. Gifts, talent and potential need nurturing, and a focused effort on leadership development should help your business achieve better results and create an engaged culture where people want to do their best work.
I worked in the media business for E.W. Scripps for almost 25 years and advanced through the company. Each time I accepted a new challenge, title, or set of responsibilities, I was in over my head. I believe this helped shape the way I operate and the way I have always lead - with an authenticity that stood out - and an unbreakable commitment to my own core values - which were closely aligned to the company's throughout my tenure. My leadership journey has had so many incredible chapters - each a building block for who I am:
My career focus was always growth; seeking out more education, exposure and experience while trying to be the best I could be at the job I was in. That led to advancement along the way.
I have so many leadership role models. Some of them were incredibly instrumental in teaching me huge lessons on leadership. I have taken the lessons from good leadership and bad leadership - I believe I have made a positive impact on those I have led - and am committed to helping one leader at a time do the same.
"Because he is trust-worthy, I can come to him with business situations in which I need a sounding board and advice, without fearing that he will overreact or take action that might make a situation more complicated. He provides perspective, counsel, and sometimes just asks questions that lead to clearer thinking about some of my challenges. This has helped me more times than I can count."
"Very motivational and an expert at consensus and internal persuasion."
"Dave is a very effective mediator and will help others find the correct path through influence and conversation. Dave allows for space for others to come to difficult decisions on their own versus having decisions thrust upon them."
"Is a servant leader who cares more about the success of the organization rather than who gets the credit."
"Dave is always genuine when dealing with me as a direct report. I never have to wonder where I stand with him as he provides me the guidance and support I need to bring out the best performance in me. Respect and Integrity are his strongest values. Dave is a leader not a manager which makes me feel invigorated and comfortable to perform."
"I appreciate that Dave makes me feel secure in my role. I know there is no hidden agenda. If he has a problem with something, he makes it clear. Likewise, he makes his approval clear. I can focus on performance and spend less time on politics because my boss gives me confidence that he is on my side."
"I hold him in high esteem. I know, for sure, that I am a better GM directly because of his support and coaching. He's made me better. I suppose that's the definition of leadership, right?"
"Dave is very effective at communicating the vision, strategy, and helping to develop tactics that mirror the priorities and goals of the business"
"Dave is excellent at not over-reacting and listening before making decisions. He truly has the best interest of me and the station at heart. This is important when it comes to trust and knowing he has our back. Meaning- he isn't rushing to pre-judge a person or a situation a person is in."
"If he tells you something, you can take it to the bank. In addition to the direction he provides, he also creates a safe space to discuss business challenges informally."
"Excellent Listener, ability to share multiple perspectives, collaborative, analytical approach to problem solving, compassionate, high degree of integrity"
"Understands the human dynamics and psychology behind each situation, coaches forward and helps you see any blind spots. Honest and genuine in his approach while holding the line as needed. Empowering leader."
"Dave has a great sense of humor and knows when/how to use that as an effective influence tool. Dave is creative and certainly attacks things from points of view at times that are different and I think that's a great thing."
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