The Leadership Spotlight continues this week with Neal Webb. Neal is the Vice President of Dave Ramsey’s Publishing Department. Before coming on at Dave’s, Neal spent 16 years as the Director of Marketing for the world’s largest book distributor, Ingram Book Company.
Neal earned a master’s degree in corporate communication from Western Kentucky University, and he also worked three years in the radio industry. He and his wife are proud of their two kids who are currently in college.
CLo: What is your role in leadership?
NW: To lead the Publishing Department Team, whose responsibilities are researching, planning, producing, managing inventory, marketing, promoting and selling of all Dave Ramsey products other than Financial Peace University classes and Foundations School Curriculum. The products include books, DVDs, CDs, software, games, teen products and children’s products.
CLo: What is the best advice you’ve ever received about leadership?
NW: Though I’ve heard the advice stated in many different forms…..to “constantly increase my learning and to always listen well” are the two best pieces of advice I have received when it comes to being an effective leader. Solomon probably stated both as well as they can be in Proverbs 1:5 – A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.
CLo: What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?
NW: Probably pushing for change, encouraging your team to do the same and making them aware that change can be a good thing. It’s good to shake things up once in a while to find opportunity — but very easy for some leaders to be satisfied feeling success in the status quo.
CLo: How do you continue to improve yourself as a leader?
NW: Read a lot, listen a lot, ask a lot of questions and emulate those I perceive as successful leaders….with “successful leaders” defined as those who listen well, lead by example and have loyal followers.
CLo: How do you invest in others?
NW: Again, I strive to listen well to my team. By listening and reacting wisely to what I hear from my team or individuals, I can usually gain much more productivity and respect than if I try to dominate conversations with what I think is wisdom.
CLo: What was the last book you read?
NW: I usually have a couple of books going at once. The last two were The Summer Of 1787 (about the writing of the United States Constitution) and Hug Your Customers.
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