The landscape on which leaders operate is always changing, and different leadership styles and philosophies offer unique insights. Those insights from diverse sectors can help guide other leaders when faced with similar challenges. This article explores the leadership approaches of Rob Rosenberger and Wes Shover, drawing from their experiences to uncover some of those universal lessons in effective leadership.
Rob Rosenberger, CEO and Founder of Blackdragon, places accountability at the core of his leadership philosophy. He believes that true leadership is defined by the ability to take responsibility for outcomes. Clearly defined responsibility across the personal and team levels helps drive better outcomes for the business because there is ownership of every problem. This ownership ensures that leaders can identify and correct failures, maintaining the integrity and direction of the team- without the need for constant supervision or micromanagement. Similarly, Wes Shover, Founder and CEO of The Vidar Group LLC, emphasizes the importance of empowering his team. With over 15 years of leadership experience in civil and defense air operations, Shover has led teams through complex and high-stakes environments. Empowering your team members to operate with the freedom to solve problems is the cornerstone of adaptability for a company. Ownership over their problems and freedom to solve them creates a culture of responsibility and accountability.
Rosenberger points to the importance of emphasizing team success over individual achievements as instrumental to the company’s culture. For him, leadership is about fostering a culture where collective success is prioritized- the team’s purpose is to extract the best out of each individual for the betterment of the team. This perspective was ingrained in him from a young age on his father’s ranch, where he was tasked with ensuring the work of others and held accountable for their performance. The contribution to progress for the team is a more powerful motivator than any one person’s work. Committing to the collective success of the team takes a lot of trust. Shover highlights the importance of open communication in building trust within his team. By maintaining transparency and encouraging honest dialogue, Shover creates a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. This combination of trust and shared success is essential to maintaining a culture of success.
Both Rosenberger and Shover highlight the importance of continuous learning in leadership. After all, leadership is a skill that must be sharpened; otherwise, it is lost. Rosenberger immerses himself in books, attends conferences, and engages with industry experts to refine his leadership skills. These efforts open him up to outside perspectives and new leadership problem sets, improving his ability to solve the leadership problems he faces in his own business. This habit of constant learning is crucial in a dynamic work environment, such as at Blackdragon, where the need for sharp, adaptive leadership is ever-present because the business landscape is constantly changing. Shover, with his extensive experience in UAS operations and as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and adaptability in leadership. His experience across a wide array of situations taught him that each problem requires a different approach, and it’s the leader’s responsibility to be ready to adapt to meet the challenges of the current situation.
Rosenberger’s military background profoundly influences his leadership style. As a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, he learned that real leadership is about the success of the body, not just the individual. This training instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility towards his team members, reinforcing the idea that leadership is about ensuring the success of those around you. This lesson was carried forward into his business practices, where he applied a team-oriented approach emphasizing mutual accountability and collective success. Shover, too, brings a wealth of military experience to his leadership style. His work in JTAC and UAS operations has shaped his belief in creating an environment where team members feel valued and supported, fostering innovation and productivity.
Another key similarity between Rosenberger’s and Shover’s leadership philosophies is the emphasis on effective delegation. By assigning tasks to competent individuals, a leader can help team members recognize their capabilities- even if they lack confidence. This delegation is only made possible by establishing a successful culture in the business; that foundation of accountability, trusting communication, and continuous learning make delegation possible and highly effective. The key challenge here for the leader is establishing clear expectations for the team, with specific constraints within which they can operate. This freedom to operate combines with ownership over the problem to get maximum buy-in from the team members, and that buy-in will also help them hit those goals they’ve set for themselves.
Fostering an environment of trust and empowerment ensures the team can operate autonomously while achieving high-performance standards. This environment also helps to reduce turnover as each team member feels recognized and appreciated for their contributions to the team’s success. With a culture of ownership and accountability, empowerment allows each team member to thrive and innovate. That innovation is only possible if the CEO sets an example of continuous learning and improvement. When leaders can effectively synthesize these elements into their approach, they create a culture of success in their business. They are ready to adapt and solve any problem as a team.
He believes in assigning tasks to competent individuals and setting the right expectations. This often involves helping team members recognize their capabilities, even when they may lack confidence. By fostering an environment of trust and empowerment, Rosenberger ensures that his team can operate autonomously while achieving high performance standards. Shover also focuses on empowering his team, recognizing potential in others and providing them with opportunities to grow. By fostering a culture of trust and open communication, Shover ensures that his team remains cohesive and productive.
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Published by: Nelly Chavez
