Author Archives: Rusty Rueff

About Rusty Rueff

Rusty Rueff, author of purposed worKING. Rusty Rueff is the former Chairman Emeritus of The GRAMMY Foundation in Los Angeles. He most recently completed the successful 16 month leadership role as Coordinating National Co-Chair for Technology for Obama (T4O) for the reelection of President Obama and ten-years of Board service and President of the Board of Trustees of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Corporately, most recently Rueff was the Chief Executive Officer at SNOCAP, Inc. until the acquisition of the company by imeem, Inc. in April 2008. Before joining SNOCAP in 2005, he was Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Electronic Arts (EA) from 1998 until 2005. He was also with the PepsiCo companies for more than ten years, with the Pratt & Whitney division of United Technologies for two years, and in commercial radio as an on-air personality for six years. Rusty holds an M.S. in counseling and a B.A. in radio and television from Purdue University. In 2003 he was named a distinguished Purdue alumnus, and he and his wife, Patti, are the named benefactors of Purdue’s Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Visual and Performing Arts. He is a corporate director of Glassdoor.com and runcoach. He is the co-founder and Executive Committee Member of T4A.org, serves on the Founding Circle of The Centrist Project and a founding Board Member of The GRAMMY Music Education Coalition. He is also the co-author of the book Talent Force: A New Manifesto for the Human Side of Business. Rusty and his wife, Patti, reside in Hillsborough, CA and Charlestown, R.I.

day 1400: Are We Really Listening?

purposed worKING No Comments



While I am on a pilgrimage walk on the Camino de Santiago (St. James Way) in Spain, I have asked some of the most committed and courageous faith-driven business leaders I know to guest contribute to Purposed worKING.  Enjoy! – Rusty
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“A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”

There is one thing that seems to be a common thread for me this year – “hear all sides before creating an opinion.”  Throughout all areas of my life, whether it’s in my day-job in executive recruiting, as a board member, or as a parent, I have seen how easy it is to form an opinion or pass judgment.  In today’s world of connectivity and loud chatter there is no shortage of opinions. Just read your Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn feeds. Read the WSJ, NY Times, the forbidden People Magazine or listen to the office gossip. We are bombarded with messages and assumptions… “I can’t believe they let her go?” “Why was she promoted instead of him?”  “That’s an awful yelp or glassdoor review!” “We should retain XYZ firm, they rocked the presentation.” “The Board of Directors’ decision was ridiculous – why would they ever pursue that path.”  Personally and professionally we develop opinions and make assumptions as fast as Drew Brees can throw a touchdown pass (couldn’t help but mention my ‘who dat’ team!) If we make key decisions without hearing both sides or digging deeper for clarification, we risk making unwise decisions. We are striving to be wise leaders, leaders that people can trust. Alan Alda once said, “Listening is being able to be changed by the other person.”
Catch yourself now! As you hear or see something or if you are close to “jumping on the band-wagon” — seek counsel, ask clarifying questions, seek references just to confirm your initial assessment. Acquiring wisdom and knowledge through wise counsel takes a bit of extra time. Having the courage to ask tough questions can’t be underestimated when you have significant decisions to make. As His Word tells us in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”  This pushes us to partner closer to God as we listen first and then take His direction. Before passing judgment by only hearing one-side-of-the-story, take heed to the Word to listen, remain teachable and have a receptive attitude.  With all the messages being sent to us every day, filter out what the Lord is telling you.  We need to allow His word to develop us to be the wise leaders Christ calls us to be.

Reference: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/qUTq/~4/l6LE0_YTQoo?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=emailProverbs 1:5(NKJV)

Cecelia Gonzalez