I’m Dave Courtis, IBM Pricing Manager, and This Is How I Work
Location: Rochester, MN, USA
Current Gig(s): IBM Pricing Manager — Systems, University of Minnesota — Duluth MBA candidate
One word that describes how I work: Purposefully
Current mobile device: iPhone 6, soon to be iPhone 7
What apps, software, or tools can’t I live without? Why?
I would argue that if truly tested, I could live without any and all applications, software and tools, but then my life would get disorganized to the point of utter chaos. Thus, some that I cannot bear to live without would be Gmail, iOS, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Microsoft Office, Spotify, Venmo, Google Drive and of course, my Leatherman. There are number of reasons that these tools are my life’s necessities, but the most important center around organization, information, inspiration, and innovation. If I did not have these applications and tools at my fingertips, I would struggle to: stay informed about what’s going on outside my daily life, escape from life’s monotonous tasks, and remain organized…lord know I need it!
What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?
There are a couple that I am very happy to employ:
- Auto-pay for monthly bills — There is nothing worse than having to remember to pay all the bills that accumulate as we get older. I consider the ultimate time saver is the invent of the auto-pay. I no longer have to spend the time visiting countless websites or writing numerous checks, just to move life along as we know it. Cue, Venmo!
- Apple Pay — Who needs a wallet, when you have a phone…that acts as your wallet!
- Talk to text — With the amount of time we spend on our phones these days, using voice to text allows for a nice change of pace. Plus, I can sure as hell speak faster than I can type!
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What’s your secret?
Hair maintenance: Head and Beard. American Crew, Straight Razor, focus and patience.
What do you listen to while at work?
Two crucial but very different things: my employees’ needs and Spotify.
I employ an open door policy not to say that I have one and not stick by it, but because I truly care about what my employees have to say and the needs that they have. If I am not the one to listen to them, understand their issues, and offer suggestions and workarounds, what is my purpose as a manager?
Spotify is an absolute life saver. If I were not able to listen to anything from Trampled by Turtles and The Wood Brothers, to Frank Sinatra and Bill Withers, I would be lost.
What are you currently reading?
For my MBA class, Communicating for Leadership, I am about 100 pages into “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win” by Jacko Willink and Leif Babin. I have always been deeply interested in how special ops forces sharpen themselves physically and mentally. This book covers them all, while adding a business world spin to each practice.
For pleasure, I am making my way through “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. A hilarious book that has shown me the creativity of a young writer has the ability to actually make me laugh out loud while reading.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I would say that I am an extrovert in most circumstances. However, I would never give up a week in the Boundary Waters or an afternoon sitting in a tree-stand to remind me what really matters. Although the relationships I strengthen and the networks I create are made much easier through extroversion, I tend to cherish the time of introspection that I gain from time to myself.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“You have two ears and one mouth. Use them proportionately.”
— Anonymous
It is vitally important as a manager and a person to practice empathy. The easiest way to do this is by listening to others. By spending less time talking and more time listening, you can gain a better understanding of where someone is coming from and what makes them tick.
“Net it out!”
— Past IBM Manager
Understand your audience, speak with purpose. I often struggle with getting too long-winded when I get nervous. By netting your message out, it will have a greater impact on more people.
Where do you find inspiration and new ideas?
There is a song by the Wood Brothers that goes “…Blue and green, blue and green, you ain’t lived until you’ve seen blue and green…” My interpretation of blue is in the sky and waters and green is in the trees and land. I always draw my greatest inspiration and strongest energy when I am in the outdoors. I have spent numerous days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northern Minnesota, countless hours in a tree stand in northern Wisconsin, and many weeks in the mountains of Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia. When I am alone, or nearly alone, with my thoughts, while surrounded by some of the coolest environments this world has to offer, I am easily inspired and eagerly creative. It is in the blue and green that I look for this.
What kind of leader are you?
I am a leader by example. One who pushes the envelope and expects my employees to do the same. I am a leader who gives trust until it is broken. I am a leader who understands failure and is far from perfect. I am a leader who is rooted in empathy and understands that many times life gets in the way. I am a leader who strives to be the best and expects the same from those I lead. I am a leader who knows I can always improve and can never get complacent. This is the foundation of who I am and how I lead.
What else?
Youngest of 3. Grew up in Thiensville, WI 15 miles north of Milwaukee. Graduated in 2008 from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI with a degree in Economics and Business. Never married, no kids, hopeful for both. Sports fanatic (Green Bay Packers, Golf, Hunting, Skiing, Minnesota Wild, Milwaukee Brewers), outdoor enthusiast, music junkie.
