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.

Finding Ways To Create Positive Memories With Our Children

This past Friday the latest movie in the Twilight series “Breaking Dawn” was released to theaters.  Like all of the others the first showing was the night before at 12:01 AM.  That is the time I like to go and see … Continue reading

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Being Labeled And It’s Impact

A friend of mine is a 3rd grade teacher at a nearby elementary school. One day we were having a conversation about a young boy I had recently started mentoring.  He knew him well because he was in his class … Continue reading

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Character Chat – Responsibility

“Responsibility” is the character trait that gets discussed in character chat at my son’s school during the month of October. Last week I visited his class to discuss “Responsibility” with him and his classmates.  We talked about what it means, read … Continue reading

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Leadership Shorts – Take Risks

Leaders take risks. A few years ago the Senior Director in my organization went on a 3 month sabbatical.  Prior to leaving he asked us to hire 5 people while he was gone. Within 2 weeks the individual that was temporarily put in charge to … Continue reading

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Toastmasters – Communications, Leadership, and then some.

About a month ago I had a very interesting conversation with my friend Bryan Walsh about Toastmasters. He asked me “What do you think about the new branding and information being put out from Toastmasters International.” “From what I have seen so far it … Continue reading

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Our Thoughts Drive Our Responses

It was around 9:30 PM and I was finally almost home.  I had a late night meeting and I had just picked up my daughter from Starbucks where she was studying for her upcoming SAT.  We were two blocks away from the entrance … Continue reading

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Leadership Shorts – Emotions

As a leader you have to be able to factor in the impact emotions have on the decisions you make.  You have to know when their needed and when to remove them in order to make the right decision.  Especially when someone else … Continue reading

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Youth Basketball – Imagine

As the guard on the opposing team drove through the defense, got in the lane, and made a lay-up the coach knew something had to change. The past few games the teams they played against had a guard or two that … Continue reading

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Character Chat – Respect

“Respect” is the character trait that gets discussed in character chat at my son’s school during the month of September. This week I visited his class to discuss “Respect” with him and his classmates.  We talked about what it means, read a book, and … Continue reading

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Character Chat

For the past couple of years I have had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer in my sons elementary classroom and lead discussions about character traits.  During these sessions I usually explain to them what the trait means, read a book that relates to … Continue reading

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