Nick Ringma

Date: December 11, 2014

Name: Leadership talk with Nick Ringma

Presenter: Nick Ringma

Leadership comes with different shapes and styles, and yet there are certain patterns that could differentiate from good leaders to great leaders. This seminar invites Nick Ringma, the senior counsellor and coordinator of the Last Door Recovery Society, to discuss his view of leadership. Before his counselling career, Ringma works in electronic and packaged goods industries in executive position. He is the author of A Baker’s Dozen, and many other journals and periodicals. He also holds the designation of ICADC and ICCDP and he is the director of Canadian Addictions Counselors Certification Federation. Moreover, his leadership has inspired many young entrepreneurs.

Nick Ringma believes entrepreneurs lead by examples because nobody will listen. The inspiration leads to the expectation. Furthermore, people will see that and they will follow.

Many people still have the belief that the old ways is still more efficient. People are not admitting the changes are impacting the world they are in. Ringma indicates this is the result of not balancing both side of the brains, which result of using one side more than the other.

In order to allow people to believe the new ideas, entrepreneurs need the 3Fs

1. I feel
2. I felt
3. I found

The first F will help entrepreneurs to take the opportunity to understand how others feel. The second F will describe the difference and the last F will share the experience. In addition, Ringma believes it is important to validate what other people are saying.

Trigger Participation

When upper management wants to strategize a change, there are always negative and positive effects. This happens because every level has their own objectives and objectives are usually different. It is impossible to satisfy all the market. Many unsuccessful people are not targeting specific audience, which result of losing a majority of markets. No matter what, someone has to lose. Corporation exists because people pay more than they make. As long as leaders are aware of their market, they can control their audience. Ringma suggests entrepreneurs to take control on the delivery and production to maximize the market share.

6 kinds of people’s traits

Ringma believes there are 6 kinds of traits people cannot avoid.

1. An attitude of intensity
2. Tendency to push
3. Attitude of anxiety
4. Tendency to sit back
5. Humor
6. Control

In business, leaders need to observe these traits to change their leadership. The trait of intensity shows the seriousness of the work. Sometimes leaders assume people need an extra push by forcing them to work. When leaders are not trusting people, they tend to have the attitude of anxiety to micro manage the work. Many others believe nature will take its course, so they have the tendency not to care. Humor can be a factor that creates detachment from life and work. Lastly, leaders might believe everyone is in chaotic world and it is necessary to reorganize everything.

Leaders need to find a way to provide or deliver the message to others. Ringma recommends entrepreneurs to stand back and ask these two questions.

• What are we doing?
• Why are we doing this?

In the corporate world, there is only one goal. The goal is to maximize growth. It is difficult for many leaders to distinguish that. Many leaders tend to side track the corporation objective. Leaders should always these two questions before making any action.

• Can you have empathy for the other side?
• Can you grow the understanding for the other side?

The view of the world can impact in different corporations and different industries. Therefore, leaders need to choose their battle carefully.

Ringma believes people listen to get agreements, not understanding. Leaders need to change their approach to not forcing information to people. Instead, achieving mutual agreements are more effective. There is no system or a list that entrepreneurs need to follow to become successful leaders.

To seek out successful leaders, corporations need to look beyond their culture and environment. Ringma believes many people are still looking too narrow. If corporations want to change leadership, they cannot hire the internal candidates because the cycle will continue. Moreover, leaders should look above and beyond.

Road to good management

Many entrepreneurs are searching for steps to mater good management skills. Nevertheless, Ringma believes there is no step to accomplish that. Instead, Ringma believes the most important thing is to become a good self-starter. This means successful leaders should have the ability to move forward.

If leaders want to perform better, they need to give out credits. When teammates receive credits, they will work and follow. Leaders need to be in the position to find opportunities for teammates.

“Create your job is faster than waiting for opportunity”

Successful leaders tell the truth at the beginning. The more straight up leaders are, more easy and transparent they will be. People will be genuine if they know leaders are taking up the responsibility.

“People tend to look at “no” as major issues, but “no” is a directing them to “yes”.

Leaders need to work on their soft line and the hard edge. Successful leaders can balance their lives’ activities. Therefore, Ringma recommends all young entrepreneurs to take the opportunity to be involved with community activities to train both left and right side of the brain. Successful leaders will continue to create values for others and experience in community activities will shape them to the direction of their goals.