Beyond the Title: 12 Questions with Dr. Ramon Ortiz
Dr. Ramon Ortiz
Board Member, Madison 365
Dr. Ramon Rogelio Ortiz Jr. has a broad cross section of public and private sector professional experiences in real estate, construction, the mortgage industry and higher education. He received a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. Dr. Ortiz has held various senior leadership administrative positions at UW-Madison, UW-Whitewater as well as Madison College. He currently serves as the Dean of the School of Business & Applied Arts at Madison College.
01Built to Last starts with a strong foundation. What is the foundation your leadership is built on, and how do you return to it when things get shaky?
Leadership is ultimately about character, good leaders create vibrant innovative organizations that thrive on respect and reciprocity. The organization becomes almost a metaphysical extension of their inner being. Bad leadership, in turn, is evident by organizational chaos, distrust and self dealing among members. A strong foundation is built on a set of non-negotiable values that one meditates on daily, values where human dignity is primacy, these are values that one does not ever compromise.
02Where do you come from, and how do your roots keep you steady when leadership gets hard?
I come from very humble origins but I was blessed with very loving parents, authentic friends and a very supportive community, Madison. I remain grounded when things get hard by reflecting on the examples of my life mentors: Dr. Olivencia, Dr. Dominguez and Dr. Pulliam. Each changed me in a way that left an indelible mark. For that I am eternally grateful.
03What's a piece of advice that has stood the test of time for you, the kind you still come back to years later?
Cruelty is not strength, it is not power, it is weakness masquerading. Strength is the courage to do what is right, when doing what is wrong is more politically expedient.
04What's a book, quote, lyric, or scripture that has stayed with you and shaped how you lead or live?
The Golden Rule: treat others as you would have them treat you.
05What's something you've had to rebuild after it broke or fell apart, and what did that teach you about building things that last?
I once had to reinvent myself after a major failure. Good works bear good fruits over time, there are no short cuts.
06What's one question every leader should ask if they want to build something that outlasts them, and why?
What will things look like when you are gone. Ask that on day one and build accordingly until you leave.
07Who are you actively preparing to carry this work forward, and what are you doing to set them up to succeed without you?
My children and the next generation. Being generous with advice, generous with my time and generous with any social contacts that could help them with their future goals.
08When leadership feels heavy, what do you turn to (music, travel, culture, faith) that restores you and keeps you feeling like yourself?
Faith, family and friends. Traveling the world with my wife and children, smoking the occasional cigar and drinking the occasional scotch.
09When you think about the legacy you want to leave, what do you hope still stands long after you've moved on?
The values that I lived by. The idea that you must try to be fair when you have power and you must try to do what is right regardless; because leadership is not a privileged, it is a responsibility.
10What's a small daily habit or discipline that has compounded into something meaningful over time?
Drinking a glass of water as soon as I get up, and starting the day on a positive note by wishing my wife a good morning as soon as she awakens.
11What's a moment in your life where the music playing in the background ended up meaning more than you expected, a song that showed up right when you needed it, or made an ordinary moment stick with you?
During the funeral of a friend when they sang Ave Maria. It made me realize that this it, we are all just patiently waiting our turn to check out. But that makes each moment we live and share with those who we love, that much more precious.
12What's a tradition in your life or family that you hope lasts for generations?
Hugging and kissing when we meet and hugging and kissing when we depart.