Author Archives: willieryder

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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.

I Have No Excuse Not To Run

Last weekend I was at my son’s basketball game when a good friend asked me about my running. “Hey Willie, how are you doing today” he asked. “Great Coach Mac!  It’s Saturday!  How are you” I responded. “I am great also!  … Continue reading

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150 By 50

When the August 2012 edition of Runner’s World magazine came in the mail about a month ago I noticed at the top it said “Half-Marathon Special.”  This got my attention because I had just run my first half marathon back in February and … Continue reading

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Our Children Are Always Watching, Listening, And Learning

I was on my way home from work when my wife called to share some good news with me. “Alex got her Senior Yearbook today at school.  I can’t wait until you see it.  The section containing the pictures of her that we sent … Continue reading

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Leadership Shorts – Look For Ways To Improve

Leaders are always looking for ways to improve. A leader does not accept the status quo and will not look to just get by.  They understand when you are not growing you are not staying the same either.  You are … Continue reading

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Make The Choice To Act On Your Ideas

We spend a lot of time in our own thoughts.  Always thinking about all the different things going on in our lives and around us.  What happened in the past, what we think the future may hold, all the different challenges … Continue reading

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Stay True To Who You Are

This past weekend I ran my first half marathon.  I had worked hard to prepare the past few months and felt both physically and mentally ready to run the 13.1 miles.  There were some things I was not prepared for … Continue reading

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Leadership Shorts – Solution Focused

Leaders choose to be solution focused instead of problem focused. Even with the most thorough and well thought out plan things don’t always go the way you expect them to.  When faced with a problem or setback you have to … Continue reading

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To Dream or not to Dream

A few months ago I was having a conversation with my daughter about the different colleges she is interested in attending.  She is currently in her senior year of high school and was getting ready to start applying for early acceptance. During the conversation she let … Continue reading

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Leadership Shorts – Leadership and Trust

Leadership means being able to influence others to work towards a common set of goals.  In order for you to be able to influence someone and inspire them to follow you they have to first trust you. Trust is not something … Continue reading

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Youth Basketball – Competing In Order To Improve

WOW!!!  What a great game.  Both teams were pretty evenly matched, it was fast paced, and competitive.  It was hard to believe the kids were only 8 to 10 years old.  Some of them had obviously been playing basketball since a very early … Continue reading

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