Business leaders Todd Nebeker and Jay Young are featured today with Todd sharing a bit about their co-authored book, Character-Based Leadership: Reaching your potential through living principled values.
Bios:
Todd Nebeker has defined himself as a collaborative leader who continues to raise those around him to new levels. Todd began his career in college athletic administration, where he was fortunate to learn leadership lessons from some of the best coaches in the country. He noticed the best coaches and administrators not only worked to improve during competition, but also to build up their athletes off the field.
A lifelong fascination with effective leadership led Todd to study how leaders are developed. His doctoral dissertation focused on leaders creating more leaders through mentorship. Todd is passionate about helping others reach their leadership potential.
Todd loves spending time with his family, running, cycling, and watching sports. He also has taken up woodworking and can often be found covered in sawdust.
Todd holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University, a master’s degrees in business administration and sports administration from The University of Massachusetts and a Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of Cumberlands.
Jay Young is the Director of Classroom and Continuing Education Enrolled Student Services at Brigham Young University (BYU) where he oversees the operations of the BYU Salt Lake Center, BYU FlexGE, BYU Evening Classes, Bachelor of General Studies, and Visiting Students programs. Prior to this he was the Director of the BYU Salt Lake Center, a Senior Instructional Designer, Corporate Training and Development Manager, as well as a Finnish language teacher.
He has been mentored and guided throughout his life by world-class leaders which has allowed him to learn first-hand how effective it can be when anchored in principled character. Research he has been involved in has focused on generating buy-in, learning analytics, and utilizing keystroke dynamics in online assessment.
Jay has presented at multiple conferences and workshops and makes his presentations fun and engaging. He is a fan of BYU sports, the Boston Red Sox, Denver Broncos, and Denver Nuggets.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in organization development from Fielding Graduate University, and a Ph.D. in instructional psychology and technology from Brigham Young University.
What inspired you two to write this book?
We have been friends for many years and have had many conversations about what makes a good leader. We set out to learn what great leaders have in common – what is it that is the foundation of sustainable leadership?
So what does it take to become a good leader? Like a building, it begins with a strong foundation – a foundation of principled character. Principled character means living according to the values of integrity, patience, fairness, accountability, courage, vision, drive, collaboration, humanity, humility, and good judgment. If our personal or organizational values run contrary to these core values, we run the risk of unsustainable leadership that will crumble when challenges arise.
Drawing from available research, impactful stories, and personal experiences, Todd Nebeker, PhD, and Jay Young, PhD, outline how to build a strong foundation of principled character, which transcends personality or circumstance in the journey to be a better leader. The authors utilize simple exercises and reflection points to help readers identify their own core values and where they might need to improve, and how to translate those values into strong leadership.
A foundation of consistent, principled character garners respect, which is a key to effective leadership. The principles and exercises outlined in this book, when put into practice, will improve your leadership abilities. You will become a character-based leader.
What exciting project are you working on next?
We are driven by helping others fulfill their leadership potential through building a foundation of principled values. We want to bring these principles to wider audiences, and will be adapting Character-Based Leadership for teen audiences first. We are also working on expanding the discussion of the 11 character values that are associated with strong leadership.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
We have both written various academic works throughout our careers, but this is the first book either of us has written. Neither of us would likely consider ourselves writers, but we are both teachers at heart. We want to help others improve their lives through living the principles we have taught in this book.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
We are both in university administration, and are busy with family, community service, and many other things. We make time to write and market because we know how important these principles are and are passionate about helping others improve.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to watch mountain scenery videos and listen to piano music while I write. It helps me concentrate!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Like many kids, I wanted to be a professional athlete. Being 5’ 10” and 160 lbs, that didn’t work out too well!
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
We hope you enjoy the book and find ways to apply the principles!
Thanks for being here today.