Business Philosophy

Business operation in today's corporate environment is extremely complex. In an era where we are expected as leaders to be profitable and aggressive, but are somewhat hindered to the confines of ethics and social responsibility, setting an example of a good leader and manager is a difficult task. I'm reminded of things I've seen and experienced in the past and droves of good and bad leaders I've studied.

A good leader must exhibit several characteristics, not only when he is out in front, but also what he is doing behind closed doors. I see so often how corrupt companies come to light as an effect of a leadership that paint themselves the color of every situation and get in so deep, they cannot get out. Integrity is a necessity to be a good, effective leader. As a man, and especially a Christian man, my reputation must precede itself as a man with a strong value system and one who is not ashamed to stand for what he believes is right. Flexibility is another characteristic that is an absolute necessity to be an exemplary leader. In today's "your way, right away" society, we must deal with selfish, spontaneous, irresponsible, and random people. These people are everywhere and they wont go away, at least not in this lifetime. Things change; people change, and we must be flexible to respond to these changes.

A good leader must be fair, he must treat people with respect and compassion in order to gain trust and loyalty. He must be able to establish respect, both as a superior and as an individual. I have seen times when managers have been threatened, cursed, lied too, and taken for granted. It is standing in these situations and responding to them than distinguishes a good leader from a bad one. Paperwork is easy, but I fully believe if you can master the art of dealing with people in a fair and effective way, a good leader you are bound to become.

I guess the best way to describe my view of a good manager and leader is to go to the age-old tale of my father. He is currently the manager and vice president at a large home improvements firm in Indianapolis. A constant motivator, he is a friend, and a quality boss to each of his employees. He runs nearly a dozen crews and manages several different types of projects. He is faithfully at work on time and in a good mood. He tackles his day with optimism and treats his firm and employees with the utmost respect.

I remember a story he told me one time...one of his hardest working crewmembers had worked his way up to a supervisor position, and due to a domestic violence dispute (leave it to a wife) he was now forced to where an ankle bracelet. Many customers that were a little uneasy about dealing face to face with an obvious criminal approached my father. My father took his responsibilities as a customer liaison and relayed the position to another gentleman on the crew. His company now has an employee for life; I know I would be. Many