Most people live their entire lives without discovering their true passion. The few that do often recognize the significance of their discovery and allow their passion to sweep them off their feet, leading to a life of adventure and fulfillment.
My passion is simple. I love to help people be better people. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to take the helm of the geographical division of a large company. The division was losing money and needed to either turn things around or be dissolved. I quickly learned that it wasn’t an operational problem. It is a culture problem. I pulled every member of the division together and told them, boldly, that I wanted to help them become better employees. And better spouses, better parents, better siblings, better friends. Better people. It worked.
A company’s culture is not a singular element of an organization. Rather, it is the net result of unique people coming together for a common purpose. We cannot create a culture – it already exists. We can, however, cultivate the culture we desire by aligning great people towards our measure of excellence. When we help people be better people, we cultivate a better company.
In case you’re wondering, I have the obligatory diplomas on my wall – an undergrad from Wheaton College and a pair of master’s degrees. I’ve spent over two decades leading organizations towards something better. I’ve taught at a university and spoken in front of countless audiences. But in this line of work, who doesn’t have this type of resumé? I’m different because I don’t really care about that stuff. I care about people. I strive to be approachable, honest, and real. Please don’t think of me as an expert. Think of me as a partner.