Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth.
Hi Ruth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been in the Army for 20 years now (both active and Reserve). I’ve always been fascinated by people- what drives them, why they behave the way they do, and why some make great leaders while others fall short. Along the way I picked up a lot of experience with leadership, both leading and following, and I saw good leaders and not-so-good ones.
What really got me to develop a leadership framework and into coaching was a bad experience during a field training exercise, where we were treated like children instead of being trusted to just be adults and do our jobs. That was the moment I realized there had to be a better way to lead people. And I figured the way I could actually contribute was to teach others what I’ve learned, from my whole career, in the Army and in corporate America.
Since then I’ve been able to take that framework into both a corporate setting and the university level, teaching it to cadets in the ROTC program at UTSA.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, definitely not. I’m still in the middle of building what I hope will become a consulting firm, so right now you’re catching me in the groundwork phase, laying the foundation and making sure it’s solid before I build on top of it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do is teach a leadership course I built called the L.E.A.D. Identity Framework. L.E.A.D is an acronym that consists of four pillars that build on each other; Lead Yourself First, Embody Confidence, Articulate With Impact, and Develop Others. It starts with you, working on yourself first, and builds all the way up to helping you develop other people into leaders too. I think that’s what I’m known for; helping people build a well-rounded foundation as a leader, not just teaching tactics.
What I’m most proud of, though, isn’t really about the business side. It’s that I get to leave this for my children. While I’m doing the work of building this course and coaching and mentoring others, I’m also able to coach and mentor my own kids with it. That’s such a cool feeling, knowing this isn’t just a business, it’s something I get to pass down.
As far as what sets me apart, I think it’s that I’ve lived leadership in both a military setting and a civilian corporate setting, and I’ve been able to take what I learned in both and combine it into something people can actually use, no matter where they’re leading from. I also just believe leadership is everywhere, not confined to one world or the other. Sometimes the stakes are higher in one than the other, but both matter, because at the end of the day you’re dealing with people either way, and that is a huge responsibility.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Honestly, I don’t really think of it as luck, I think of it as grace. People call it whichever they want, but for me it’s been the grace I’ve extended to myself, the grace others have extended to me, and most importantly, God’s grace. I believe I was put on this earth with a purpose, and He gave me unique gifts I’ve been able to develop. Gifts like communicating effectively, and having a deep understanding of others even when they’re not good at expressing themselves. I’ve just tried to use that to help make people’s lives better, and those same gifts are the foundation my whole business is built on.
As far as the “bad luck” side of things, we all go through stuff we could chalk up to bad luck. But when you look at it as something that was happening for you instead of to you, it reframes the whole thing and helps get you back on track. A lot of times, what you go through in that ‘bad luck’ moment doesn’t have to stop with you, you can use it to help others too.
Pricing:
- The course is $197, but if readers DM me on Instagram or email me directly, they’ll get exclusive access for $97.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ruthnavarro.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roothiecakes
