Lead – Step up and take charge.
Follow – Willingly follow and support others and their ideas.
Get out of the Way – Delegate and step away, allowing someone else to show what they are capable of accomplishing as a leader.
To step up and lead especially when faced with a challenging situation requires courage, to willingly follow someone else when you’re used to leading shows respect and trust in another leader, and to just get out of the way and allow someone else to shine by doing what they are capable of with little to no input from you is a sign of faith in them and their abilities.
To be a truly great leader you have to know when to step up and lead, when to follow someone else, and when to just get out of the way.
About willieryder
Willie Ryder spent 10 years in the United States Marine Corps working in Communications and Information Technology in multiple different Leadership roles. He then went to work at Microsoft where he has been for almost 15 years now working in Engineer, Manager, and Leadership roles.
Willie is very passionate about his personal and professional development and also helping others grow. Especially our next generation. He was an active member in Toastmasters for 8 years where he worked on his Communications and Leadership skills and has mentored many others in these areas.
Willie has been a year round youth basketball coach at www.YesICanBasketball.com for 13 years where he has had the wonderful opportunity to work with and coach 100's of kids of all ages. The past 6 years he has regularly volunteered to speak about character traits and mentor kids at the nearby public elementary schools. Over the last 3 years he has been a volunteer mentor with the nonprofit organization www.RightMovesForYouth.org where he tries to make a positive impact on some of the local High School students.
Willie has been married to Jennifer for 24 years. They have 2 daughters, a son, and a Siberian Husky. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family, attending and serving at Elevation Church, Coaching youth basketball, Writing, Public Speaking, Reading, and Running.
Willie Ryder - A Dreamer on a Journey 