Rob Grantham, General Manager of Rancho California Water District. Grantham shares his leadership philosophy, shaped by mentors and a commitment to positive impact. He discusses the weighty responsibilities of a CEO, including public health and safety, and the importance of maintaining composure. Grantham's non-linear career path and his approach to embracing opportunities are highlighted. The episode also covers the challenges of first-time leadership, the value of a supportive team, and the implementation of an executive training program within his organization. Grantham emphasizes strategic direction, actionable values, and learning from mistakes, while also touching on personal growth and his life outside of work. The conversation concludes with Grantham's advice for career starters and an open invitation for listener engagement.

Journey to Becoming General Manager (00:00:42)

Rob discusses his journey to becoming the general manager of Rancho Water and the big lessons he learned along the way.

Mentors and Leadership Lessons (00:01:13)

Rob talks about the importance of mentors and the impactful lessons he learned from them, emphasizing the role of humility and self-recognition.

Seeking Out Mentors (00:03:35)

Rob reflects on the presence of mentors in his life and how he was fortunate to have them around him rather than actively seeking them out.

Supporting Others (00:04:44)

Rob shares his efforts to bring others up and create supportive environments, emphasizing the importance of providing a strong foundation for success.

Responsibility as a CEO (00:06:26)

Rob discusses the weight of responsibility as a CEO, highlighting the challenges and rewards of leading a water district.

Early Career and Leadership Development (00:08:21)

Rob shares his childhood aspirations, career path, and the circuitous route that led him to his current leadership position.

Becoming a Leader (00:11:03)

Rob reflects on pivotal moments in his life that shaped his leadership journey, emphasizing the continuous process of growth and improvement.

Transition to General Manager (00:12:47)

Rob discusses the transition to becoming a general manager, highlighting the challenges, growth period, and the support from the organization and board.

Leadership Philosophy (00:18:24)

Rob describes his leadership philosophy, focusing on setting a structure for collective growth, providing direction, and empowering individuals to lead and grow.

Employee Training and Development (00:19:17)

Rob outlines the training program for mid-managers, emphasizing the importance of leadership, finance, HR, and communications skills for success.

Skills for Success (00:22:30)

Rob discusses the essential skills and training needed for employees to be successful, emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking and effective communication.

The transition to electric vehicles (00:23:55)

Discussion about the transition to electric vehicles and the need to purchase heavy-duty trucks for the transition period.

Developing a business case for vehicle purchase (00:24:57)

The process of developing a business case for a $25 million request to buy vehicles and the importance of a cogent business case argument.

Strategic direction and organizational purpose (00:26:13)

The importance of having a strategic direction for the organization and ensuring that every employee understands the organization's purpose.

Updating the strategic plan and organizational values (00:28:01)

The process of updating the strategic plan and values to ensure they are actionable and reflect the organization's direction.

Learning from rookie mistakes (00:30:05)

The importance of learning from mistakes and the challenge of making timely and good decisions as a leader.

Professional development and staying current (00:32:08)

The use of audiobooks for personal and leadership growth, and the organization's pursuit of the latest technology and innovation.

Personal interests and hobbies (00:33:55)

Rob's hobbies including playing guitar, golfing, and backpacking in the woods with his father.

Favorite book, movie, and podcast (00:34:41)

Rob's interest in the new Elon Musk book and the classic favorite book "Catch 22".

Advice and personal philosophy (00:36:25)

Rob's personal philosophy of being a nice guy and a contributor, and advice received about management being like a knife's edge.

Advice for those starting their careers (00:38:30)

Advice for young professionals to take time to be interesting and test out what makes them happy in their career path.