What Eagle Scouts Taught Me About Leadership

I believe in giving back to organizations that have helped shape who I am. The first such organization I can recall was the Boy Scouts of America.

A Formative Experience

I earned my Eagle Scout rank despite the distractions of high school. This was primarily due to a handful of people who recognized something in me at the time and encouraged me to continue my Scouting journey.

It's interesting how one impactful experience can shape a person's life forever.

The Scouting Ripple Effect

Because of that experience, I've found myself involved with various other organizations over the years:

• In college, I joined Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity founded on the principles of Scouting. I still host part of their website today.
• I became active in the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's organization, eventually serving as Grand Knight for my council.
• Through the Knights, I got involved in Rotary and became a Paul Harris Fellow.
• I served as on the executive board for the local Society of Information Management (SIM) chapter.
• I served as Cubmaster for a local Cub Scout Pack, helping the next generation discover what Scouting has to offer.

Leadership Lessons from Scouting

Be Prepared - The Scout motto isn't just about camping. In technology leadership, being prepared means understanding your systems, anticipating problems, and having plans before you need them.

Do a Good Turn Daily - Service to others shouldn't be reserved for special occasions. In business, this translates to genuinely trying to help your colleagues, clients, and community every single day.

Leave No Trace - In Scouting, this means respecting the environment. In technology, I think of it as building systems that are clean, maintainable, and don't create messes for those who come after you.

A Scout is Trustworthy - The first point of the Scout Law, and arguably the most important quality in any leader. Your team needs to know they can count on you.

Why Service Matters

I've had many opportunities to sit on the sidelines over the years, but I've tried not to let that be the option I pick. Whether it's coaching youth sports, serving on advisory boards, or helping with charitable events, staying engaged in the community keeps me grounded.

Our company supports several philanthropic efforts. Seeing our employees participate in efforts like this reminds me why we work so hard—it's not just about building things or implementing technology. It's about the impact we can have on people's lives.

Balance Is Everything

One of my keys to success has been maintaining a good work-life balance. My priorities are focused on my faith, my family, and then my career—in that order. By balancing these with my passion for my job and a strong work ethic, I've found what success really means to me.

Technology projects take time to complete. Goals should be set accordingly. But no project or deadline is worth sacrificing the things that matter most.