129: Fusing 40 Years of HR, Leadership Development and Life Lessons with Mark Rumbles

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The John Poelstra Show

John Poelstra

133 episodes

3 months ago

I believe we are each the sole owner of our lives. Are you a true “owner” or an “employee” of your life?

All too often it’s easy to play small and think there’s nothing better. This mindset encourages us to find creative ways to cope and tolerate our circumstances instead of actively looking for ways to find all that is possible, often beyond our wildest dreams.

I believe there’s a better way to live, one where you lead and act as the driver of your life instead of being its passenger. In that spirit, this show covers a variety of topics around the themes of personal ownership, effective personal leadership, productivity, co-active coaching, and being a better human.

Along the way I'll share the things I'm learning myself and through other people as guests.

All content for The John Poelstra Show is the property of John Poelstra and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

129: Fusing 40 Years of HR, Leadership Development and Life Lessons with Mark Rumbles

The John Poelstra Show

1 hour 1 minute 58 seconds

1 year ago

129: Fusing 40 Years of HR, Leadership Development and Life Lessons with Mark Rumbles

Mark Rumbles reflects on his career of 40 years, what he’s learned in the leadership development space and what’s next for him.
Mark recently retired after 40 years in HR and leadership development. Mark and I discuss his career journey, the concept of retirement, and insights gained from his extensive experience developing leaders. This conversation touches on various topics, including mentorship, career planning, motivation, and the challenges of leadership development.
Mark shares his perspective on career transitions, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, relationship-building, and maintaining a flexible approach to one’s career path. He also discusses his current interests post-retirement, including exploring podcasting and working towards fostering more civil discourse in society. Throughout the conversation, Mark offers his insights on leadership, personal growth, and navigating career challenges.
Key Takeaways

* Careers are more like arcs than rigid plans, requiring flexibility and adaptability
* Effective mentorship often develops organically through relationship-building
* Leadership development is about influencing factors that bring out internal motivation
* Follow the fear, energy, and incentives to understand and overcome challenges
* Retirement doesn’t mean stopping; it’s a transition to new opportunities and discoveries
* Relationship-building is crucial for career success and personal growth
* Curiosity is a key driver for personal and professional development
* The term “networking” can feel manipulative; focus on genuine relationship-building instead
* Leadership development is a fusion of various approaches and frameworks
* Behavior is a language that often speaks louder than words
* Self-reflection is crucial for aligning one’s words and actions
* Fear often stems from a desire to preserve one’s identity or self-image
* Motivation is complex and can’t be directly controlled by others
* Balance is essential in leadership, knowing when to debate and when to act
* Civil discourse and the ability to disagree respectfully are valuable skills
* Career transitions can involve multiple steps (e.g., full-time to part-time to retirement)
* Volunteering (e.g., joining a condo board) can be a way to stay engaged post-retirement
* The concept of “career” is often misunderstood and over-emphasized
* HR practices have shaped how people think about careers, sometimes unrealistically
* Podcasting can be an alternative to writing a book for sharing ideas and experiences
* Leadership development aims to bring out the best in people and help them bring out the best in others
* Understanding one’s “wiring” and sources of joy is crucial for career satisfaction
* Early career experiences, even if unenjoyable, can provide valuable foundations
* The balance between debating ideas and executing decisions is crucial in organizations

Connect with Mark Rumbles

* LinkedIn

Credits

* Hallon by Christian Bjoerklund
* Cold Funk by Kevin MacLeod

All songs licensed under Creative Commons