{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"From Parks to Boardrooms: Leadership Lessons from Nature with Donald Forgione and Mike Simmons","description":"Donald Forgione \u2014 Former Director of 175 Florida State Parks, with 40+ years in ecotourism, leadership, and public service. Now a business owner, speaker, and coach, Donald connects leadership lessons from nature to business. Mike Simmons \u2014 Founder of Find My Catalyst, leadership coach, and sales strategist, helping people identify and act on their catalyst for change. Three Key Quotes Donald Forgione: \u201cTrust is the key to absolutely everything\u2026 If they\u2019re not feeling what I\u2019m saying, I might as well throw it out the window.\u201d Mike Simmons: \u201cA revenue challenge is often a culture challenge in disguise. Culture starts with leadership. Leadership starts with self.\u201d Donald Forgione: \u201cSuperman ain\u2019t coming. You have to be your own Superman, your own Wonder Woman \u2014 and figure it out.\u201d Mike and Donald explore the deep connections between nature and leadership, revealing how adaptability, trust, and asking the right questions can transform teams and culture. They share real-world lessons from state parks to sales, showing leaders how to align purpose, overcome obstacles, and create environments where people thrive. 5 Key Takeaways \u2013 Finding Your Catalyst in Leadership 1. Adaptability is Essential Nature changes daily, sometimes hourly \u2014 so do business environments. Leaders must adjust \u201csails\u201d when conditions shift, not fight the wind. Like a river finding a new path, flexibility keeps momentum moving forward. 2. Trust is the Foundation Without trust, communication falls flat \u2014 people must feel you\u2019re genuine. Consistent standards and fairness build credibility. Trust enables teams to follow direction, even in tough changes. 3. Ask Better Questions Leaders have an obligation to ask questions others won\u2019t. Tone, timing, and context matter \u2014 the \u201ctailgate\u201d setting often works best. Asking opens doors to insight; telling can shut them. 4. Sales is Everyone\u2019s Job Selling is solving problems, not pushing products. Every role in an organization impacts customer experience. Internal and external \u201ccustomers\u201d both require thoughtful service. 5. Break Down Silos Customers don\u2019t care which department \u201cowns\u201d the problem. Internal collaboration is as important as external service. Remove political barriers so the mission comes first. Find your Catalyst at https:\/\/findmycatalyst.com Check out Tailgate Talks at https:\/\/tailgate-talks.com\/speaker-experience\/podcasts\/    You Can Put the Work in to Practice, and we'd love to hear about it. Listener Challenge: Your Catalyst Connection This week, take 15 minutes to connect one lesson from nature to your work. Step 1 \u2013 Observe: Go for a walk in a park, your neighborhood, or any outdoor space. Notice one thing that stands out \u2014 a tree\u2019s growth pattern, the way water flows, how animals interact, or even the weather. Step 2 \u2013 Reflect: Ask yourself: What obstacle is this natural element facing? How is it adapting or overcoming? How does this mirror challenges in my team or business? Step 3 \u2013 Act: Identify one small change you can make in your leadership or work this week inspired by that observation. Example: If you see water rerouting around rocks, consider how you can redirect your team\u2019s energy around a roadblock rather than trying to push through it. Share Your Story: Email Mike and Donald with your insight \u2014 you might inspire the next podcast conversation. ","author_name":"Find My Catalyst Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/findmycatalyst.com\/","html":"