Alan Latourelle served as CEO of Parks Canada from 2002 to 2015. Alan joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss Parks Canada. 

In this episode, Latourelle talks about his experience as CEO. He also discusses Parks Canada Centennial, the growth of Parks Canada, and getting more Canadian youth into parks. 

We also explore the relationship between Parks Canada and First Nations. Indigenous people are 8% of Parks Canada staff and 12% of Parks Canada Executives.

Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, join the Park Leaders Show. Director Jarvis discusses his career, the National Parks Centennial, and the one thing National Parks offers you can find nowhere else. 

I was at a conference with Director Jarvis, and we were able to sit down for a face to face interview. During our conversation, Jon outlines his career path with the National Park Service and some of his milestones along the way. We talk about the preparation and planning for the National Park Service Centennial. Director Jarvis also explains the sense of place parks add to history that can be found nowhere else. 

Whether you work with the National Park Service or are a fan of parks, you do not want to miss this inside look at our National Park System. 

Music for the Park Leaders Show is created by Jason Harrod. 

Dawn Carr is the Executive Director of the Canadian Parks Council.  The Canadian Parks Council is an organization that unites national and provincial parks all across the country. 

Canadian Parks Council offers a Park System Leadership Course focused on developing excellent leaders in parks. Dawn offers that humility is the one common trait of leaders who participate in the Park Leadership Course. 

I had the pleasure to meet Dawn in person at the Inspiring a New Generation Summit. In this episode Dawn discusses what  Canada and the Canadian Parks Council is doing to connect youth to nature. 

Episode 80 of the Park Leaders Show is ten random park related ideas. Individually, the ideas did not make a full episode. Collectively, the ideas create an episode of 10 ideas in 10 minutes (11 minutes, actually, but 10 in 10 sounds better).

I recently attended the Ranger Rendezvous and the Inspiring a New Generation Summit. Next on my list is the CA Parks Training Conference, where I will give two presentations and be part of a panel discussion.

If you would like Park Leaders founder, Jody Maberry, to speak to your organization or at your event, please reach out.

At the Ranger Rendezvous, I was reminded how important it is to belong to a Ranger Association. The Rendezvous is the annual conference for the Association of National Park Rangers. A Ranger Association will introduce you to other Rangers. And you never know who could be your next supervisor, co-worker, or potential employee. 

Also at the Rendezvous, I met former Park Leader Show guests Bob Krumenaker and Cassius Cash. Anytime you have the opportunity to converse with a veteran park ranger; you should do it. 

If you are a Park Manager, and there is turnover at your park, it is because of you. You don't listen. That is why people leave. 

Visible tattoos on a park ranger are a bad idea. Tattoos should be concealed behind your uniform. 

Performance reviews are not very useful. But what if people were held accountable for other staff members attaining goals? Wouldn't that promote the teamwork we are looking for?

If you are a Park Manager or Superintendent, one of the best things you can do for your agency is to invest in an up and comer. You don't need a formal mentorship program to help someone out. 

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail is at risk. The state of Washington wants to give the trail to adjacent land owners. The threat to the trail is a prime example of why parks need to focus on diversity. If there were a diversity of voices from all backgrounds causing a ruckus, there would be no question about the future of the trail. 

The Park Leaders Show is due for another panel episode. In the past, there have been panel episodes about Diversity and Communication. What should come next?

Forget about adding more policies and procedures. New policies may show exactly how you want things done, but it gets in the way of creativity and job satisfaction. 

Want Park Leaders Stickers? You can get those here. 

Alan Spears is the Cultural Resources Director for the National Parks Conservation Association. Alan Spears and I had the opportunity to sit down together and talk about cultural resources at the Ranger Rendezvous, the annual conference of the Association of National Park Rangers. 

Alan got his start in the outdoors chasing frogs at Fort Dupont in Washington DC. Alan's presentation at the Ranger Rendezvous was about Urban Parks. His story shows the impact urban parks can have a child. And in this case, the child who played in nearby woods grew up to help the National Park Service protect and interpret cultural resources. 

In this episode, we also talk about Harpers Ferry, Fort Monroe and the National Park Service's role in interpreting slavery as a root cause of the Civil War. 

We also talk about why it is important for the National Park Service to tell stories that don't always have a storybook ending, like the Manhatten Project. 

Alan reminds us; the National Park Service should be proud of the work they do and what they have collectively accomplished. 

While discussing the challenge of enhancing cultural diversity in park staff and visitation, Alan mentions the Greening Youth Foundation as an example of an organization having an impact. 

Find Park Leaders on Facebook. 

Cam Sholly joins the Park Leaders Show to offer a look at the National Park Service from a Region perspective.

Cam is the Region Director for the Midwest Region of the National Park Service. In this episode, Cam explains how the Region offices offer support to parks throughout the region by putting Parks First. 

Cam discusses his experience as a ranger in the field as a Chief Ranger and Park Superintendent and moving into positions in Washington DC and a Region office. 

This episode will give you an understanding how the National Park Service operates from a Region level to a Park level. You will also gain insight on how a seasonal National Park Service can work towards a permanent position. 

We also discuss the impact parks can have on local economies and how parks can work with community partners to protect and enhance a park while boosting local tourism. 

Geocaching has been a popular outdoor activity for 15 years. It is in your park, or near your park. People will travel for miles to find a Geocache. 

Now, GeoTours can help parks create a deliberate, curated experience for visitors. A GeoTour is a collection of geocaches that take people on a tour of a specific area. Each stop can highlight a natural feature, a historical fact, a cultural resource, and tell a story. 

GeoTours have been used to highlight entire park systems, like this GeoTour with Kentucky State Parks, or an individual park, like this GeoTour at Mount Ranier. 

The friendly folks at Geocaching will help your park create a GeoTour and even work with you to create a GeoTour passport so participants can keep track of their progress. 

To find out more about GeoTour go here. 

To get your hands on elusive Park Leaders stickers go here. 

The Park Leaders Show goes international. In this episode, I talk with Pete Cleary, a park ranger at Philip Island Nature Parks in Australia. 

We examine the unique characteristics about Philip Island, as well as the common traits of parks and park rangers in different countries throughout the world. 

Ranger Cleary explains the concept of parks offering and Ultimate Experience to park visitors willing to pay for more access and experience at a park. 

In this episode, we also talk about the World Ranger Congress, the International Ranger Federation, and the Thin Green Line. 

Find more park resources at parkleaders.com.

After a tremendous performance as Theodore Roosevelt, Clay Jenkinson returns to the  Park Leaders Show to talk about Theodore Roosevelt and parks.

If you haven't yet listened to the episode with Clay in character as Theodore Roosevelt, Click here to listen. You will want to hear that episode first.

In this episode, Clay discusses Theodore Roosevelt's role in National Parks and the impact he still has today on our park system. We also discuss Ken Burn's National Park and Roosevelt films, the upcoming National Parks Centennial, the threat of vanishing viewsheds

Clay urges everyone to do two things to reconnect with parks;

1. Spend at least 4 days in a National Park with as few amenities as possible.
2. Read Walden and Mountains without Handrail

Clay Jenkinson is the creator of the Thomas Jefferson Hour and author of The Character of Meriwether Lewis.

President Theodore Roosevelt was a pivotal figure in the early days of the National Park Service. The National Park Service as we know it would not exist without Theodore Roosevelt.

Clay Jenkinson as Theodore Roosevelt

Clay Jenkinson portrays President Roosevelt in this episode of the Park Leaders Show. Clay allows us to step back into time and talk with the 26th President of the United States.

Clay Jenkinson is a humanities scholar, author and social commentator who is considered one of the most entertaining public speakers in the United States. Clay is dedicated to researching the historical characters he portrays and brings history to life. Clay is best known for his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson.

Clay is the creator and host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Thomas Jefferson Hour. Clay is also the author of several books, including The Character of Meriwether Lewis.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Clay is in character as Theodore Roosevelt as we discuss the fight for National Parks, the National Park Service's 100th birthday and what President Roosevelt thinks of Park Rangers.

As the National Park Service prepares to celebrate the Centennial, President Roosevelt encourages us to decide what the essential National Park Service  purpose is, and then bring park use in line to meet that purpose.

When I was a new park ranger, I noticed the Park Manager, Jack Hartt, would carry a camera in his pocket. I saw him take photos of trees, bugs, turkey, park rangers, and even vehicle accidents and vandalism.

Carrying a camera with you makes sense, right? Park rangers spend their days in the most beautiful places. We have the opportunity to take photographs of areas or situations most people never see.

Today, most of us carry a powerful camera right in our pocket. Smartphones have cameras equal in quality to professional cameras just a few years ago. If anyone knows how to use a smartphone to capture incredible moments as photographs,  it is David Molnar.

David Molnar - Celebrity, Music and Advertising photographer

David Molnar is a celebrity, music, and advertising photographer. David is also the author of iPhone Only Photographer. In this book, as well as on his website, David shares tips to taking stunning photographs with a smartphone.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, David explains how park rangers can use the phone in their pocket to take amazing photographs and tell the story of the park.

David has also made a generous offer to listeners of the Park Leaders Show. CLICK HERE to get access to three ebooks to help you improve your photography.

If you want to learn more about David Molnar, check out this interview I did with him on the Starve the Doubts podcast.

Would you like some beautiful Park Leaders stickers? You can get those here.

Donald Forgione, Director of Florida State Parks, returns to the Park Leaders Show.

In this episode, we discuss how Florida State Parks connects with communities of color. Director Forgione also talks about how park rangers should be seen as leaders in the community outside of the park.

Florida State Parks is proactive in seeking out up and coming leaders. Once a leader is identified, they are given the opportunity to take on more responsibility to grow.

If you want to support Park Leaders, and show pride in the work you do, Limited Edition Park Leaders stickers are available now. Get yours here.

Donald Forgione began his career as a Park Ranger with Florida State Parks. Over time, Ranger Forgione became Director Forgione.

As Director of Florida State Parks, Donald Forgione considers himself to be a ranger first. In fact, he signs off on email correspondence with "Ranger First" as a reminder to himself, and others, that he approaches his Director responsibilities as a park ranger.

In this episode, Director Forgione shares his journey with Florida State Parks and why having been a ranger helps him perform his duties as Director. He also shares how values move beyond words to become behaviors in a park agency.

Director Forgione explains what the Ranger First concept means to him and how it impacts his job as Director.

Are we leaving out Millennials from the park experience?

I recently read an article in Outside Magazine questioning if the outdoor industry has a Millennial problem.

This article from Outside magazine touches on many issues relevant to parks and recreation. In the Northwest, in particular, recreation can be more about the jacket you wear while hiking than the actual hike itself.

While outdoor clothing companies were racing for more high-tech options, they left out the younger generation. With no regard for Millennials, clothing and gear companies continue to offer high-end, high-priced options.

Are parks making the same mistake? Are we racing to cash in on high priced recreation?

Most park systems are moving toward cabins and expensive RV sites. Millennials do not stay in expensive cabins or drive RVs. So what happens in 10 years when Millennials will be the key demographic for parks?

It doesn’t stop with just cabins and full hookup sites for RVs, I know of at least one situation where a park had a 100% occupancy rate during the summer. As a result, the agency raised the camping fees for that park.

I get it. Parks has to run like a business. But believe me, running like a business is not about making more money this year. Running like a business means to create a WOW experience that excites someone who camps in your park now will come back later in the summer.

And next summer.

And the summer after that.

Eventually, they will bring their kids. Perhaps someday they come back in a big expensive RV. But not today. Not this summer. Not when Millennials are at the prime age to reach them.

And if you don’t get Millennials now, you stand the chance never to get them.

If we don't make parks appealing to millennials now, they will not be visiting parks in 10 years. They have an interest in what Parks has to offer, but we are suggesting there is not a place for them in parks. Our actions suggest we are most welcoming to retirees in large RVs or families that can afford to stay in cabins.

But what are we doing in parks to suggest there is a place for Millennials?

As Tae Kim said in the Outside Magazine article - “If you just get people outside having a good time, Mother Nature takes over. They’re hooked for life.

Have you noticed the National Park Service Find Your Park campaign?

There is a park for everyone, is what the National Park Service wants you to know with the Find Your Park campaign. But don't assume parks are only wilderness or wooded parks. If that were the case, not everyone would find their park.

Many people are finding their park in Washington D. C. in the form of monuments, historic sites, parkways, and even the White House. The National Park Service has a large presence in our nation's capital.

Philip Selleck, Associate Region Director of the National Park Service Capital Region, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss the urban parks of Washington D.C. Phil will talk about the challenges of operating parks that see a large volume of traffic that experience shorter visits.

Phil also discusses promoting through the ranks of the National Park Service. From seasonal park ranger to chief ranger, Phil offers advice on what it takes to get promoted.

Spencer Cox, Lt. Governor of Utah, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about the value of state and national parks to the state of Utah.

Utah is fortunate to be home to five national parks, several national monuments and a thriving state parks system. The parks boost the economy and create jobs. Perhaps more importantly, Lt. Governor Cox suggest parks are part of the fabric of the Utah lifestyle.

Lt. Governor Cox also offers insight to how state government view a park system. He talks about funding, maintenance, and how a state determines if their park system is successful. He also discusses privatization of parks

This episode is a valuable look into how a park system fits into priorities and planning from legislatures and the Governors office.

Lt. Governor Cox recently shared pictures and video from a recent vacation to promote outdoor recreation in Utah. You can watch the video here.

Nearly every one of the questions asked to Lt. Governor came not from the host of the Park Leaders Show, but from people in the field who work in a park every day.

Carol Quinn returns to the Park Leaders Show to explain how to hire great people. If you missed the first half of the interview with Carol Quinn, you can find it here.

In this episode, Carol will discuss how to improve your hiring process. Making small changes in the interview process can move you towards hiring high performers.

If you have ever made a bad hire, you understand the long-term impact it can have on your park or organization. Sometimes we don't interview properly. Sometimes we rush a hire because there is so much work to do.

It doesn't have to be this we. We can hire high performers nearly every time.

Also in this episode, we talk about the impact Motivation Based Hiring can have on the culture of an organization.

If you would like to learn more about Carol Quinn, or Motivation Based interviewing, visit HireAuthority.com.

You can also check out Carol's books, Don't Hire Anyone Without Me and Motivation Based Interviewing.

Lee Cockerell has said "Your most important responsibility is to hire and promote the right people for your organization." If that is true, we need to take a hard look at the way we hire people.

Carol Quinn, CEO of Hire Authority, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about how you can improve your hiring.

Carol has helped many companies, including Disney, hire the right people. In this episode, we talk about what typical interviews look like, and why relying on gut feeling is a mistake.

Carol also gives us an introduction to Motivation Based Interviewing (MBI).

To learn more about MBI, you can find information and free resources on HireAuthority.com. Carol is the author of Motivation Based Interviewing and Don't Hire Anyone Without Me.

This interview with Carol Quinn will give you a headstart in understanding what you can do differently to hire high performers.

Recently, Eric Watilo issues a document to parks in his region of Washington State Parks giving ideas to make sure visitor's have a better experience when they visit parks.

When I saw the information Eric was getting out to people in parks, I knew I had to share it with you. Eric did not create this list for people to read and check a box. This is content meant to be discussed and considered.

Eric joins me on the Park Leaders Show to discuss his list of 12 Steps to Enhance a Visitor Experience.

If you are reading this in email, CLICK HERE to listen to the episode and go in depth with the 12 Steps.

12 Steps to Enhancing a Visitor's Experience

1. Smile – As simple as this may seem, not everyone smiles.
2. Greet Them – Use words to make them feel welcome.
3. In-Person is Priority – Never break off a face-to-face interaction with a visitor to answer the telephone or speak with another employee.
4. W.I.N – W.I.N stands for “What’s Important Now.”
5. Please and Thank You – Say it. Say it often. We all like to hear please and thank you.
6. You’re Welcome – Do not say “No Problem.” Use your manners and say "You're Welcome".
7. Recognize Who You Work For – Every one of us in Parks is a government employee.
8. It Is What You Say – What you say to a park visitor can strongly influence they experience have at the park.
9. Find the Answer and Follow-up – From time to time a visitor will ask you a question you do not have the answer to. Instead of saying “I don’t know” and leaving it there, tell the visitor you do not know but that you will find out and get back to them.
10. Make Time for the Visitor –  I understand in parks it is not always possible to do this, but when you can take the time to show a visitor what they are looking for, you certainly should.
11. “Thank You for Supporting Our Parks” – After every financial transaction you make with a customer, thank the guest for their support.
12. Listen to Park Leaders Podcast – In particular, listen to this episode about customer service with Lee Cockerell.

In addition to Eric Watilo's list, I have added for steps of my own to enhance a visitor's experience.

1. You are putting on a Show Every day – At Disney World employees are called Cast Members because they play a role in the big show they put on every day. You may not be at Disney World, but you are putting on a show every day.
2. Your personal problems don’t matter to the park visitor – I am not saying your personal problems don’t matter. I just want to be clear that your personal problems do not matter to the park visitor. Your issues should not get in the way of delivering top notch service.
3. Wear the Hat – If you are a park ranger you need to wear the iconic flat hat when you interact with park visitors. If park visitors don’t get to see a park ranger often, then seeing you should meet their expectations. And they expect you to wear the flat hat.
4. Serve like it is your mother – Have you ever had a loved one receive wonderful service? How did that make you feel? Your mother is special to you and you want others to treat her that way. This is exactly how you should treat every park visitor.

Music for the Park Leaders Show is provided by Jason Harrod.

Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote parks in the lower 48 states. Allen Etheridge, Chief Ranger at Big Bend, shares the experience of working at such a remote park.

Allen explains the lifestyle of living and working in a remote park. A remote park fosters a tight group who work together and play together. It becomes even more important to involve everyone on the team socially and in work.

Ranger Etheridge also discusses the role of a Chief Ranger. He provides purpose, motivation, and direction to the staff at Big Bend. A Chief Ranger needs to know, understand, and explain the message of the superintendent, as well as bring forth issues of the staff to the superintendent.

We also discuss interviewing and what to look for as you talk to job candidates.

Reading a wide variety of leadership books is important for anyone in a leadership position. Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey is one book Allen Etheridge recommends.

LaJuan Tucker received an introduction to conservation with the Texas Conservation Corps. She started as a crew member and eventually became a staff member.

LaJuan worked directly with young people of color who were interested in college or careers related to conservation. In this interview, LaJuan explains the common questions and concerns young people have about careers in conservation.

LaJuan parlayed her experience with the Conservation Corps to become a park ranger with the city of Austin, Texas. LaJuan credits her time with the Texas Conservation Corps as the catalyst to her becoming a park ranger. Had she not been exposed to conservation, she would not have become a ranger.

With the Austin Parks, LaJuan works on impactful projects such as Wildlife Austin. Austin is doing critical work to protect the Monarch Butterfly.

LaJuan Tucker is a model of the impact and headstart the Conservation Corps and Corps Network can give to young people.

County Parks play a vital role in the grand scheme of parks. A County Park system usually manages parks that range from urban to wilderness. County Parks are often a stepping stone between City Parks and a family making the leap to recreating in State or National Parks.

Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services Supervisor with Jefferson County Open Space

Mary Ann Bonnell has experience in City Parks, State Parks, and non-profit organizations. Mary Ann is proud of her role with Jefferson County Open Space and the quality of life County Parks offer in her Colorado home.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, we examine the role of County Parks. Mary Ann also discusses urban wildlife and wildlife education. Through education, urban wildlife can connect people to the bigger natural world.

This week is a short episode to provide updates on what is going on with Park Leaders.

Thank you for the great feedback about the episode with Betty Soskin. It was a delight to interview her, and I am pleased you liked it as well. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, you don't want to miss it.

I have some upcoming trips. Perhaps we can meet up? I will be in Dallas in early August, and Asheville, NC in October. If you live nearby, and would like me to visit your park, get in touch. Or, if you would like to set up a speaking engagement, it would be fantastic to give a presentation about parks for you.

The People of Parks Project is going away soon. If you have not had a chance to lend your voice, you can do so here.

Would you like to be a contributor for Park Leaders? I have two opportunities for you. First, I am going to start including articles on the website. If you would like to contribute an article about parks, get in touch. I could use your help. Second, I want to include stories from Park Rangers other than myself on the Park Leaders Show. If you have a story you would like to share, reach out. Let's get your story on the show.

Have you checked out Creating Disney Magic yet? Creating Disney Magic is a show I do with Lee Cockerell. It is a weekly show about leadership, management, and customer service. There is plenty of value packed into the 15-minute episodes.

This episode of the Park Leaders Show felt like I was talking to history. Betty Soskin is the oldest park ranger in the United States. Betty is 93 years old.

Betty Soskin, Oldest Park Ranger. Photo by NPS

Yes, that is impressive. But even more impressive is Betty did not become a park ranger until she was 85 years old. Talking with Betty, I got the feeling she did not necessarily become a park ranger, she became part of the narrative of Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park, and that involved wearing a park ranger uniform.

"Whatever I do, they call rangering. But I would be doing it anyway because it is the only thing I know."

Betty Soskin first collected national attention when she was furloughed during the government shutdown. When asked what the government should do to end the shutdown, Betty replied, "I am not wise enough to tell them what to do, except to get out of my way."

The government shutdown was an obstacle to Betty's telling her story and getting important work done. Betty tackles each day with a sense of urgency rarely seen in people decades younger than her.

Betty's story is an American story that can be told by no one else I have ever met. Her message, her life, and her contribution to the National Park Service is a story you don't want to miss. This episode goes much deeper than parks. We talk about history, wisdom, and diversity.

5.16.15 - Betty Reid Soskin interviewed on The Today Show (click to watch on YouTube)

Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, returns to the Park Leaders Show to talk about how parks can create magic.

Previously, Lee has been on the Park Leaders Show to talk about what parks can learn from Disney and nine customer service rules.

Since the last time Lee joined us, he has published a new podcast, Creating Disney Magic. Creating Disney Magic is a short, weekly podcast focused on leadership, management and customer service.

You can find Creating Disney Magic on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn Radio, Spreaker, or on Lee's Website.

Lee also discussed his new book, Time Management Magic. This book will transform the way you approach time management and help you move from surviving to thriving.

Lee also tells us how parks can create magic. He offers advice on how parks can communicate through the entire organization, focus on customers, and deliver a great experience for employees and visitors.

Parks can get more done with a better attitude. Better productivity can equal getting 20% more staff in parks. Don't underestimate how much better you can be.

You can create magic too.

When I was a park ranger, the former director of our agency used to preach the concept of the well-rounded ranger.  I believe his message was that our agency needed to train rangers for more than law enforcement. He wanted us to think in terms of service, and not enforcement.

If focusing on service is what he meant, he was correct. But the concept of a well-rounded park ranger is hurting parks.

Sure, there are people like Tom Betts at Bandelier National Monument who can do everything. Tom is true a well-rounded ranger. But I was not. And chances are that you are not either.

And that is OK.

It is a benefit to your park that you are not well rounded.  Not being well rounded means you are strong in some areas that can be a tremendous help to your park.

It also means you have weaknesses. There are some things you are not good at. That is OK.

In fact, a good park manager knows how to consider the strengths and weaknesses to assemble a great team.

Now, I expect park rangers to know enough to solve problems and get things done. But often, that does not mean the individual ranger needs to know how to do the actual work. The ranger needs to be able to recognize there is a problem and begin the process to solve the problem.

The idea of a well-rounded ranger, taken too literal or too serious, creates an environment that focuses on weaknesses and hampers strengths. Let me give you an example. Auto maintenance is a weakness of mine. In fact, I have no interest in it at all.

At one point in my career, I worked for a supervisor who felt park rangers who felt all rangers should complete the same tasks. Each ranger was responsible for doing the same tasks the same amount of times. This took people away from doing what they were strongest at to improve in areas where they were the weakest.

I get the desire to have everyone on the team contribute to all areas of the operation, which would be why you may want well-rounded rangers. But it just doesn’t work.

The well-rounded ranger concept forces everyone to spend an inappropriate amount of time improving their weaknesses. Great teams set people up to build on their strengths. Great leaders know this and assemble teams with strengths in mind.

If taken too far, the well-rounded ranger concept is like having every member of a baseball team spend too innings at each position during a game. In that case, you get an outfielder spending time practicing to throw a fastball rather than perfecting his craft if catching fly balls.

In the wonderful book Business Brilliant, author Lewis Schiff examines the traits of self-made millionaires. Lewis Schiff tells us –

A Gallup poll found the 87% of working Americans felt that finding your weaknesses and fixing them is the best way to achieve outstanding performance. Sixty-one percent of workers say they need to focus on their weaknesses because that's where they feel they have the most room for growth. In follow-up interviews, they said that improving weak areas makes them feel more responsible more well-rounded and less vulnerable to embarrassment and risk of failure. They feel conscientious about working with their weaknesses, and hope that the practice will shield them from future reproach and failure. Meanwhile, self-made millionaires are spending each day avoiding their weaknesses in order to stay focused on their strengths where distinction, fulfillment, and profits are found. Hour by hour, day by day the workers from this survey protect themselves by becoming more well-rounded and ordinary while the millionaires enrich themselves by becoming more specialized and extraordinary.

That information from Business Brilliant may work for a self-made millionaire, but you may be wondering how it applies to you and parks. Consider this. When you promote the strengths of your team, it allows you to fill holes on your team with someone who is strong in the areas you need the most.

So a well-rounded ranger needs to be looked at in a different way. A well-rounded ranger is someone confident in her strengths. A well-rounded ranger can realize there is a problem and knows how to solve it, likely with the assistance of other people. A well-rounded ranger does not ignore things they do not like in favor of what they do like. A well-rounded ranger understands when and how to step up to help a teammate.

But the well-rounded ranger, the ranger who can do everything, that well-rounded ranger is a myth.

To me, it is a choice to be well-rounded and ordinary or specialized and extraordinary.

What do you think of the concept of a well rounded ranger?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the United States. People come from all over the eastern half of the country to visit the Smoky Mountains and drive visitation higher than park service icons such as Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. The key to operating Great Smoky Mountains is not necessarily the visitors who come from other places, the key is connecting to the community.

Cassius Cash, Superintendent of Great Smokey Mountain National Park

The importance of connecting a park to the local community is exactly why Cassius Cash is the perfect fit for Park Superintendent. New to his role at Great Smoky Mountains, Cassius brings his concept of Listen - Learn - Build and is intent on connecting to the local community.

Cassius come to Great Smoky Mountains from Boston, where he served as the Superintendent as Boston National Historic Park and Boston African American National Historic Site. In Boston, Cassius used stories to rebrand the park and built impactful connections in the community. Superintendent Cash also took a deeper look into the historic stories most people know to find additional stories that include more people.

Finding more inclusive stories is a key to building more interest and support in our parks and Cassius Cash is a model of how to put those stories to work. Inclusive stories connect parks to people of different backgrounds, interests, and geographies.

Superintendent Cash understands it does not matter if he is in an urban Boston park or park in the Appalachian mountains, connecting to the community and including everyone is the key to a thriving park.

I am on a mission to get parks to start podcasting. Podcasting is a way parks can serve visitors in a new and unique way. To explore the idea of podcasting in parks, I went straight to one of the best podcasters around.

Jeff Brown is the host of the Read to Lead podcast. Read to Lead is recognized as one of the best-produced podcasts. Not only does Jeff Brown have the best voice in podcasting, he is a true professional. Jeff spent 26 years in the radio business and now brings his experience for training radio talent to helping people develop quality podcasts.

In this episode, Jeff coaches us through having a professional on-air presence and how to create a quality show. Jeff also discusses how parks can use podcasts to serve park visitors.

Podcasting holds so much potential for parks to connect to visitors in a manner not available in any other way. Consider what this could mean for your park. You can provide interpretation to more people. You can build a loyal following of people waiting for new content by sharing stories, history, and park information. You can even set up guided tours along popular trails or roads.

You can put a park ranger in the pocket of every park visitor.

Podcasts, or audio content, can even be used to distribute information to all employees, no matter how spread out or far away they may be. Audio content can allow leaders to reach every person on the team, individually, with the same message.

If you want to talk about creating podcasts for your park, please get in touch.

Jeff Brown recommends the following books:

Linchpin by Seth Godin

Die Empty by Todd Henry

Multipliers by Liz Wiseman

You can find Jeff Brown on Twitter or Facebook or his home on the web, Read to Lead.

Amanda Llanes returns to the Park Leaders Show to talk about her first season as a seasonal law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service. At the time of her first interview, Amanda was a cadet in the law enforcement academy. Now, she has been a seasonal ranger for one year.

Amanda talks about her experience, what she looks forward to in her next seasonal assignment and her career ambitions. This interview with Amanda is the second part of a look at seasonal park rangers with the National Park Service. You can listen to the first episode here.

If you enjoy the Park Leaders Show, would you consider leaving a review on iTunes? You can find the show here.

On the Park Leaders Show, I often talk to leaders in the National Park Service. Chief Interpreters, Chief Rangers and Park Superintendents have all been guests on the show.

The one thing they all have in common is they all started as seasonal park rangers.

That means the future leaders of the National Park Service are seasonal rangers right now.

Kaitlyn Kunce, Seasonal Park Ranger with the National Park Service

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, I talk with Kaitlyn Kunce, and we take a look at the life of a seasonal park ranger.

At the time of our interview, Kaitlyn is a seasonal park ranger at Mesa Verde National Park. Soon, she will be moving to a seasonal assignment at Yellowstone National Park. Moving often and applying for jobs every few months is one of the challenges seasonal park rangers.

The goal of most seasonal park rangers is to get a permanent position with the National Park Service. Competition for permanent positions can be tough, and seasonal rangers look for ways to learn new skills and build their resume.

Kaitlyn writes about her experience as a ranger on her blog, Twitter and Facebook.

The music for the Park Leaders Show is the creation of Jason Harrod. You can find out more about him here.

If you have listened to the Park Leaders Show for a while, you know Jack Hartt was a mentor of mine while I was a park ranger. It was my conversations with Jack early in my career which led me to believe that you would enjoy hearing similar conversations with leaders from all over the country.

Talking with people from parks is important, but if we are really going to change the landscape of leadership in parks and recreation, we need to step outside of parks too. In this episode, we reach outside the world of parks again and talk with Ray Edwards. Not only is Ray a successful entrepreneur, but he is also a strong supporter of parks.

Just like Jack Hartt taught me so much about the business of parks, Ray Edwards has taught me about the business of business. I am so much better at what I do because of Ray Edwards.

Ray explains what park systems, individual parks, or park employees can do to foster an entrepreneurial spirit.

Ray is the host of The Ray Edwards Show and author of Writing Riches.

Ray recommends Work the System by Sam Carpenter to learn more about implementing systems.

After publishing an episode of the Park Leaders Show every week for 52 weeks, the microphone gets turned around. Jared Easley, host of Starve the Doubts, interviews Jody Maberry, the host of the Park Leaders Show.

The usual host of the show answers questions about his career and what Park Leaders is all about..

Jared Easley helped Park Leaders get started by helping the host get started in podcasting. He was the obvious choice to be a guest host of this special episode of the Park Leaders Show.

You can subscribe to the Park Leaders Show on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

For several summers, with the help of a group of tremendous volunteers, I ran a summer concert series at a park I worked at. We delighted park visitors with between six and nine concerts each summer. Concerts are a great way to bring new visitors to the park, provide more to regular visitors, and bridge a connection between the park and the community.
Hosting the concert series, I got to meet many great musicians. Often, they would eat dinner with my family and spend the night at our house. One musician, Dana Lyons, caught my attention because of his devotion to parks and wild places.

Dana Lyons is best known for his song Cows With Guns, but his heart is found in songs with a message.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Dana and I talk about how to put on a great concert in a park, but we also go much deeper than that.

The song, Cows with Guns, was so popular, Dana is still best know today for the song. But it is a small piece of a large, beautiful body of work. How do you handle yourself, and your career, when you one large accomplishment can cast a shadow over your other work?

We also talk about the removal of the Elwa Dam and the wonderful performing artists, Cabiri.

Jack Hartt is deliberate about the experience people have at Deception Pass State Park. He feels a park experience should feel "Park-Like".

Most parks have trees and trails, but it is the experience of the park that brings people back year after year.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jack Hartt verbally walks us through a park and, area by area, explains what it takes to make a park look and feel like a park.

Whether it is park entrance, restrooms, or park signs, Jack Hartt explains how parks that care can deliver an experience to delight park visitors.

Jack Hartt is now on Twitter. Visit him here and say Hello.

To learn more about Jack Hartt's background, listen to episode 6 of the Park Leaders Show.

Jack is the author of five books, including A Day in the Park with Ranger Jack.

Jeff Goins returns to the Park Leaders Show to discuss his new book, The Art of Work.

The Art of Work is a proven path to discovering what you were meant to do. It is about finding your calling and being who you were meant to be.

The book is wonderful. In my opinion, the best work Jeff Goins has done so far. But I admit, I have a personal connection to this book.

I was fortunate enough to have my story, the story of becoming a park ranger and then walking away to something else, is part of this book.

In this interview, Jeff and I talk about how the story of a park ranger fit into the bigger story of a book about finding your calling. On the surface, you may think a story about becoming a park ranger is about finding a dream job and a calling.

It is bigger than that. Being a park ranger is piece of a full life that led me towards work I was meant to do, including Park Leaders. The story is told beautifully by Jeff Goins and I want you to read it.

Believe me, this is a great book. You don't want to miss the offer for a free copy of the Art of Work. You can get it here.

The first time Jeff Goins was a guest on the Park Leaders Show, I told him that I knew a park would step up and make him a honorary Junior Ranger. So far, no park has come forward to do it. Who can help? Please reach out and let's make Jeff Goins an honorary Junior Ranger.

If you like what you hear from Jeff, you might enjoy his podcast, The Portfolio Life. You can also find Jeff on Twitter and Facebook.

As a young leader, one of the best ways to build yourself is to learn from established leaders. Someone has already made the mistakes you are going to make, wrestled with the decisions you struggle with, and found the success you are looking for.

Bob Krumenaker is one of those established leaders you should get to know.  Bob has over 30 years with the National Park Service and currently serves as the Superintendent of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Bob shares his path through the National Park Service and many of the lessons he has learned.

Bob is one of the key members of the Association of National Park Rangers working on the 2016 World Ranger Congress, which will be in Estes Park, Colorado.

Bob recently served a temporary assignment as the superintendent of Everglades National Park. He shares the challenges and opportunity of leaving your home park to serve at a different park on a temporary assignment. Temporary assignments can be a tremendous opportunity for learning and experience.

If you are in the first half of your career, the advice from Bob Krumenaker can help you adjust and consider how to approach your career.

Check here for more information about the World Ranger Congress.

Outdoor recreation is not immune from the growing trend of technology. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all a part of recreation for many people.

A new digital platform, Campstake, is focusing on the digital side of recreation. Brandon Painter, co-founder of Campstake, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about how the digital side of outdoor recreation can benefit parks.

If you are reading this in email, CLICK HERE to listen to this episode.

The team at Campstake hosts one of the fastest growing Twitter Chats focused on outdoor recreation. #CampChat takes place every Tuesday at 9 PM EST.

You can find out more about Campstake on their website, or by  visiting them on Twitter or Facebook. You can also contact Brandon Painter directly at brandon (at) campstake.com.

If you have ever worked a night shift in a park, you have experienced the beauty of night sky. Away from lights, campfires, and digital screens, a night sky is one of the true wonders of many parks.

Not many people get to experience a truly wondrous night sky, but Chad Moore looks at night skies for a living. Chad is the Program Manager for the National Park Service Night Sky Team.

Even if you are not with the National Park Service, the work of the Night Sky Team has great value for your park. Parks have an opportunity, perhaps even an obligation, to protect night skies.

Chad and I will talk about his work with night skies, why the National Park Service has a night sky team, and how individual parks can improve their night skies.

After talking with Chad I considered what have been my most memorable night skies. The two that come to mind are the overwhelming stars at Natural Bridges in Utah. With so many stars, a night sky is anything but dark. I also thought about the first time I saw the northern lights on a camping trip in north central Oregon. And finally, I recall a surprising encounter with nocturnal wildlife. Walking to an outhouse at night while camping at Canyonlands National Park I turned on my headlamp and found a kangaroo rat bouncing right in front of me.

Where was your most memorable night sky? Let’s talk about it. Reach out on Twitter or Facebook, comment on the website or send an email and let me know your night sky story.

Chad Moore preparing for a night sky

If you are interested in night skies, you may enjoy the book The End of Night by Paul Bogard.

You can find the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative on Facebook.

You can discover great articles about night skies here.

A common theme from the People of Parks Project has been a frustration with communication between leadership, admin staff, and staff in the field. When I hear the same thing come up often I know we need to lean into it a little bit more.

I know this isn't a problem I could properly address on my own, so I called in the help of some friends. Joining me for a special panel discussion episode of the Park Leaders Show are: Ray Bivens- Director of Delaware State Parks, Eric Watilo- Region Manager with Washington State Parks, and Sarah Milbourne-  Park Manager with Maryland State Parks.

Each member of this panel was selected to give the panel three layers of park management to offer insight on how to improve communication. Ray, Eric, and Sarah have also been previous guests on the Park Leaders Show, so I understood they would each offer valuable ideas for you and your park.

You can help shape future episodes of the Park Leaders Show by participating in the People of Parks Project. By answering a couple of short questions, you can help me understand what subjects will be most valuable to offer on the Park Leaders Show.

When I was young my father always had pigeons as pets. I spent plenty of time around his feathered friends. Perhaps that is where my interest in the passenger pigeon came from.

I used to imagine what it must have been like to see the sky go dark when a flock of passenger pigeons flew overhead. When I saw Ben Novak's TEDx Talk about bringing the passenger pigeon back from extinction, I know I had to talk to him.

Ben Novak grew up exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The connection he made with the park when he was young led to his current work to revive the passenger pigeon.

Ben's story is a wonderful story about building a connection to parks. By exploring his favorite National Park he fell in love with what was around him. Consider the impact it may have twenty years from now when you help a kid connect to the park.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Ben is that he chose himself to do this work. He raised his hand and declared he would be the one to devote his life to bringing a beautiful bird back to our parks and forests. Most people who do great work do not wait to be picked. They just stand up and do the work.

If you are interested in Ben's work you can find out more at Revive and Restore and follow The Great Comeback on Facebook.

How to Bring Passenger Pigeons All the Way Back: Ben Novak at TEDxDeExtinction (click to watch on YouTube)

Jeff Goins has made his living with the support of a tribe.  The loyal following to his popular blog led to a successful self published book, You Are a Writer.

Now, Jeff is make a living as a writer. His success has come from building a tribe. Jeff even teaches other writers how to build a tribe in his course Tribe Writers.

Jeff Goins joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss how a park can use the tribe concept to build a following of supporters. The idea of a tribe is essential a conversational way of marketing. It allows supporters of your park to be a part of the park, even when they are not at the park.

Jeff has an unexpected connection to parks. As an 18 year old he had a summer job at a park in Illinois. He shares about his experience working in a park and the lessons he learned that have stuck with him to this day. Through his stories, he highlights how you can turn a simple task like "get me a spade" into a learning opportunity.

You will enjoy these books by Jeff Goins: The In-Between and Wrecked.

If you are interested in becoming a better writer, check out Jeff's course Tribe Writers.

Starting from Scratch: How to Build a Platform with Words, Passion, and People (click to watch on YouTube)

Park Rangers are great storytellers. Sean Smith, former National Park Ranger, used the storytelling gift to write a series of thrillers with a park ranger as the hero.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Sean talks about how his time as a ranger led to writing Unleashing Colter's Hell and Lost Cause. Sean tells us why he wrote these stories, and where the inspiration for the main character came from.

Sean also explains how to transition from being a good story teller to being a good writer.

I would be delighted if more rangers wrote. Whether it be books, or blogs, it would be good to see more rangers writing. I know there are some great ranger books out there, and a few ranger blogs. But we need more.

Although no longer a ranger, Sean is a strong supporter of parks and recently gave a TEDx talk about why we should protect national parks. This Ted talk is how I discovered Sean.

You can connect with Sean on his blog, Twitter, or Facebook

Do you have a favorite park ranger book, or ranger blog? If so, reach out and let me know. I want to discover more rangers who are writers.

Recommended Resources

Sean Smith Books: Unleashing Colter's Hell and Lost Cause

Creating Disney Magic on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

Tribe Writers - Writing course from Jeff Goins.

Why protect national parks? | Sean Smith | TEDxSpokane (click to watch on YouTube)

Phil Gaines, Director of South Carolina State Parks, returns to the Park Leaders Show to follow up on his first interview.

In this second interview, Phil talks about the Ultimate Outside program. The Ultimate Outsider program turns visitors into insiders by getting them into all 47 State Parks in South Carolina. Phil Gaines knows once people get out to explore parks, they will make a connection. It is through connections that parks remain relevant in the lives of the citizens of the state.

When a citizen has a connection to a park, they will protect it, promote it, and continue to visit.

Phil also offers advice on how to keep your focus and remember why you work in parks, when times are tough or you work with a park manager you do not get along with.

Just like connecting visitors to our parks, you need to reconnect with the reason why you work for parks. Get outside, do more of the parts of the job you love. As Phil says, "If you get paid in sunsets, and you are not taking in those sunsets, you are not getting your full check."

Phil also reminds us that parks were built in hard times and this is when we do our best work.

When I began my career as a park ranger at Riverside State Park, Jack Hartt would often tell me how lucky he was to the park manager. He convinced me Riverside was the best park in Washington State. I believed him. I followed his lead and proclaimed there was not a better park in the state.

Then, Jack became the manager of Deception Pass State Park. He began preaching that Deception Pass was the best park in the state. I almost felt insulted. Riverside was the best park, clearly. And Jack Hartt could no longer be trusted, I thought.

Now, after talking to Phil Gaines, I understand what happened. Phil Gaines is the Director of South Carolina State Parks. Phil believes your park is the most important park.

Phil explains how you become connected to your park by living and working, surrounded by the beauty. You become passionate about what is around you and believe your park is indeed the most important park.

Phil may serve as a Director, but his heart is still in the field. He visits each State Park in South Carolina every year and connects with the staff and visitors.

Phil also discusses the State Parks Leadership School, a cooperative effort of America's State Parks to develop the next generation of leaders.