Throughout the course of his career in business leadership, Russell Schuster has become known for the unique way that he guides both teams and organizations toward success. He believes that leadership is about more than just making strategic decisions in boardrooms. It also depends upon personal growth and a true passion for exploring the world.
Recently, Schuster sat down for a far-reaching interview where he went into more detail about his leadership philosophy. He touched on his methods for fostering collaboration, his decision-making processes, and more. He also expanded on how to maintain a balance between innovation and establish practices in a professional environment.
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Could you describe your overarching philosophy on leadership?
Leadership, to me, is about being right most of the time. It's not about being infallible but making more right decisions than wrong. In business, unlike political or military spheres, decisions are rarely life and death, but they can deeply impact thousands of employees and stakeholders.
Leadership traits I value are being a servant leader, motivational, genuinely caring, and a strong communicator. Traits like autocracy and bureaucracy don't align with my style.
In what ways do you foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork?
My approach is hands-on and visible. I engage with employees at all levels, from frontline workers to executives, understanding their challenges and suggestions.
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How do you approach decision-making, particularly with difficult choices?
My decision-making is a blend of data consumption, gut instinct, and team discussions, aiming for a balance between different perspectives and experiences.
How do you choose the roles you take on in your career?
I'm drawn to opportunities that offer accelerated growth, operational improvements, and enhanced safety performance. I thrive in transformational environments, where a fresh leadership perspective is needed.
Why do you prefer the industrial services sector?
It's the diversity of environments and the opportunity to make a tangible difference that attracts me to this sector.
How do you maintain a focus on frontline employees and people management?
My approach involves making decisions close to the customer, striving for 1-call resolutions, and ensuring our organization is easy to engage with, both internally and externally. It's about creating a lean, efficient, and people-centric environment.
How do you incorporate safety and legacy thinking into your leadership?
Safety is paramount in all decisions. This extends beyond just operational safety to taking care of employees during major events. Legacy thinking, coupled with fresh ideas, helps in being knowledgeable and inclusive, focusing on what we can control, and fostering a dynamic environment.
Can you describe your operational cadence with your team?
My operational rhythm involves a weekly executive touch base, monthly financial reviews, and a rigorous quarterly strategic meeting. It's about pushing for results while focusing on controllables, ensuring we're always aligned with our strategic goals.
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How do you encourage professional development within your team?
I champion self-development. This can involve executive coaching, online leadership courses, or skill-based training. It's vital that individuals take ownership of their growth.
Can you share an instance where you had to adapt your leadership style?
In Italy, as a consultant, I learned the importance of patience and adapting to the pace of the team. The urgency, which is usually a part of my leadership style, had to be balanced with the team's working rhythm, which required a more relaxed approach.
How do you balance innovation with maintaining tried-and-true practices?
During my tenure at Aggreko, I was instrumental in developing a 'global chiller', a project that balanced innovation with existing successful practices in different regions. This project exemplified maintaining core competencies while embracing innovative solutions.
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What advice would you give to someone aspiring to a leadership position?
Hard work and building relationships are key. Embrace diverse roles to learn various aspects of the business. Be genuine, focus on self-growth, and become an expert in what you love.
What strategies do you employ to ensure your team remains motivated and productive?
Encouraging team members to challenge each other and focus on controllable factors is key to maintaining motivation and productivity.
FInal Thoughts
Russell Schuster measures success not only by metrics like operating profit, and employee engagement, and other metrics, but also by the general atmosphere and team morale he's able to create, too. This approach to leadership helps make sure that everyone feels their work is meaningful and appreciated, which in and of itself is the most important goal of all.
