Two Kinds of Ego with Rush Olson

Episode 3 of Season 5 begins with the Living Leadership
Interview segment. This week I had the joy to discuss
leadership philosophy, the skills great leaders utilize, and
the importance of lifelong learning with Trinity alumnus Rush
Olson. 


Rush is the Co-Founder of Mint Farm Films
(https://www.linkedin.com/company/mintfarmfilms/) and the
Principal at Rush Olson Creative & Sports
(https://www.linkedin.com/company/rush-olson-creative-&-sports/).
Before venturing out on his own, Rush worked as the Texas
Rangers Media Team's Creative Director. During our
conversation Rush shares insights gained from more than three
decades in the sport marketing, media, and creative
spaces.  


He details how his Trinity experience as a Communication
and History double major shaped his professional and
leadership philosophies and how his experience as the
co-founder of Kappa Kappa Delta social fraternity continues to
serve as a strong link to campus. 


Rush highlights that no matter whatever your level in the
organization, "the better you understand the big objectives
(the why), the better you'll be." He emphasizes that leaders
must help their followers be mindful of how they fit into the
big picture, but also highlights it is incumbent on less
experienced staff to scan the environment and look for ways
they can contribute. 


We also discussed the importance of LinkedIn, the skills great
leaders need to possess, and why leadership is a constant
learning experience. He concludes with a discussion of Type 1
and Type 2 egos and I just love the way he describes why the
latter should drive our actions. 


The episode concludes with my lecture on chapter 3 of the 9th
edition of Peter G. Northouse's "Leadership: Theory and
Practice." During the segment, I highlight the evolution of
skills-based approaches to studying leadership and detail
Mumford et al.'s Skills Model of Leadership.


Send me your thoughts and let's keep the conversation going on
Twitter / X (@TingleJK) or on LinkedIn.