The Mappyist Hour - What is GIS Leadership

In this episode of The Mappiest Hour, Tee and Silas welcome James Pardue from Esri to tackle the elusive concept of GIS leadership. With over 30 years in the industry—spanning from hand-drawing postal routes on Mylar to supporting military operations in Bosnia and Haiti—James offers a masterclass on evolving from a technical "doer" to a strategic leader. He breaks down the crucial difference between a GIS Manager who puts out daily fires and a GIS Leader who builds the vision, mentors the next generation, and ensures the "train keeps rolling" while simultaneously upgrading the tracks. Tune in for a conversation filled with "graybeard" wisdom on paying it forward, the art of cultivating talent, and why technical competence is just the starting line for true leadership.