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Description

As you advance in your career from frontline supervisor through management and into senior leadership, one thing that doesn’t change is the need to make decisions. Today’s guest is Nelson Wilner, Vice President of Kawasaki Engines USA. 

On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, Nelson talks with host Ken Trupke about his career journey and the lessons he learned from his leaders along the way. Nelson emphasizes the importance of building relationships and mutual trust. And they discuss how to balance leading teams while directing operations and the pluses and minuses of working remotely versus being together in-person.

Episode Highlights

• Why it’s important to share your vision with employees.
• How to make the right decisions that affect a large team.
• Why it’s better to work together.
• What it takes to be a truly good leader.

Timestamps

[01:06] Nelson’s journey
[02:43] Nelson’s first leadership position
[03:21] Lessons learned from other leaders
[05:26] Expanding into middle management
[06:45] Leading teams vs. leading operations
[08:52] Moving into senior leadership
[10:25] Making decisions that affect a large team
[13:37] Navigating the pandemic
[16:44] What makes working together better?
[21:59] Principles that just always work
[23:44] In-person vs remote outcomes
[25:40] Building relationships with the team
[28:21] Nelson’s recommended reading

Episode Quotes

• “There’s no replacement for experience.” (Nelson)
• “There comes a point in your career where you have to care more about the careers of the people who are working for you than your own career.” (Nelson)
• “The responsibility of every leader is to try to set up the company for success.” (Nelson)
• “Employees and employers have to trust each other.” (Nelson)
• “It’s good to learn and to be a sponge, and to absorb along the way.” (Nelson)

Recommended Reading 

• "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek

 Follow/Connect with Nelson Wilner

• Nelson Wilner on LinkedIn
• Kawasaki Engines USA website