Interview with Bill a CEO of a large organization in DC
(holding the neighborhood cat when home in AVL)
Tell me about an average day for you?
No day is alike. I will try to give you a typical day. I aim to get a good night sleep and up by 6a. Have a small breakfast and get to work by 730a. It’s the only time I get to be alone and get caught up on those things I have to get caught up on. A phone call, email or to practice a speech. I have that hour and a half that is quiet. There are lots of meetings during the day. I run a diversified company. Departments include marketing, communications, IT, government relations, advocacy, law, events. During the course of any given day I could be talking about a myriad of things, an event in Las Vegas to a Congressman’s about their stance, to a government agency about a regulation that they have passed. I basically have an open door policy with my staff which is important so that they can approach me when they need to.
Did you ever expect to be a CEO?
Never. I never really felt that business was my acumen. My strengths have always been communication, speaking, writing and collaboration. I never thought that those traits (that I have known that I have had since I was a kid) would be important to running a company.
Do you now think that those traits are important?
Absolutely. They are critical. To be able to communicate. To be able to take a position and then communicate that position effectively without necessarily causing a ruckus, but getting the point across. Team building is another part of my job. Recognizing when to push and when to pull. This can vary from person to person and situation to situation. It is learning people’s strengths and weaknesses. Developing a team that is well balanced.
What are five aspects of self care that you espouse to?
You have been in the job a year? What is has been the biggest challenge?
As with all leadership roles, the biggest challenge is the people. Some people are getting on board and some people aren’t. Motivating people. People that I originally thought would be on board are not. Some of the people who I thought wouldn’t be are. There is a new level of accountability that some people weren’t used to. 'Why are you doing this?' Does it bring value to the company (I ask them). They never heard that before. Challenging things that were considered sacred (before).
So what I am hearing from you is that when a new leader come in there is often a change in culture?
Nod
When you come in with a new culture do you suggest doing it abruptly or gradually?
I don’t know. A lot of people would say that I did things abruptly but I think it had to be done that way. I felt that there needed to be a change in leadership and direction. Pressure testing people with new scenarios, work and situations. Asking them to try different things. To then see what they were capable of. To see where they stood, to see if they wanted more (work/responsibility) to see if they could handle more. I did that with each person. Sometimes it was subtle and some times it was obvious. July and August were difficult months but we seem to have turned a corner. There was a lot of attrition. It was to be expected. I don’t feel bad about it.
So you used the word 'pressure test'? Is that an industry term or your term?
It is my term. I was thinking about that. Someone else asked me about that. 'How are the first 6 months going?' That is the way I approached it. I am backing off now. I have a good indication of what people can and cannot handle.
Did you do it for the sake of what they could handle or did it naturally happen because you were a different type of leader with different expectations?
That is a very good question. It happened naturally because I expect certain things and for some it was unwanted expectations thrust at them. It put a lot of pressure on them.
So you didn’t simulate it? It was a natural occurrence?
In some cases I did. In some cases I took a look at the individual and saw that they weren’t performing. 'Is it that they are lazy? Or do have the capacity to do the work? The manpower to do it? Or the where-with-all to change.' For some it was a conscious decision that I made to increase their load and see. A number of people cannot develop strategy. They are great on the execution.
I was with you once at Borders when Borders was a bookstore and a man came over to you and said, Hey Bill, hi Bill! He acted like your best friend. I asked afterwards who he was and you said, that he had worked for you. He quit? I questioned. No I fired him was your answer. I was impressed that someone would go out of their way to say hello when they had been fired by you.
What is the key to firing someone?
The key to firing someone is that that individual knows why they are being fired. No one should be fired and not have any idea why that is occurring. You say, 'here are the expectations. Here is how we do things. If you can’t get it done there is a consequence.' You have to look out for the wellbeing of the company and the team. You can’t add on to other people’s responsibility because someone isn’t doing their job. That is not fair.
What is the best part of the your job?
The best part of my job is the circle of friends that I have gained over 25-30 years (in the industry). That is the best part. We are all from the same industry and we enjoy each other’s company. I was fortunate enough to have gotten this job. They respect me for it. But at the end of the day when we are all together I am just one of them. Which is what I really like.
Is it hard to be one of the guys (girls) as a peer/friend and yet step back in the role as a leader. Is that challenging?
That has been my leadership style. I have always been able to have friendship with people I work with. A good number of them I am still close with after all these years even though I am now in a leadership role in the industry. We maintain a friendship. I am friends with them but when I am the boss. I am the boss. When I am a friend. I am a friend. When I have to be a boss I have no problem being a boss. They get it.
Your biggest mentor and friend died last week (JP). What did he teach you?
Never to take for granted the people who do the work for you. The people who work in the shop and install your products.
So you are at the part in your career where you are looking towards retirement someday at some point. You are seeing some young people coming into the work place. What advice would you give a young person today?
Go the extra mile. Differentiate yourself by how hard you work and come to me with solutions not problems. If you recommend something to me, nine times out of 10 I will give it a shot.
What would you say is the strength of the millennials is?
The ability to multi task.
I don’t want to say weakness…what is their biggest issue?
The same damn thing.
Ok (laugh)
The same damn thing. Their attention span is shorter. They need a tremendous amount of stimulation, praise, ear phones, ear buds. But they want to be successful to. They need to understand that we aren’t going to hand them the keys to the kingdom. It has to be earned.
You talk about the exemplary person who goes the extra mile and brings forth solutions. How do you retain that kind of person?
You offer them challenges. New opportunities where they can make a difference. You compensate them. You give them plenty of time for their personal life. I am big on that. An example a colleague that I work with he and his wife just had a baby. He was debating on going to Vegas for the biggest event for our industry that is coming up next week. I told him that he’s not invited. Told him to stay home with his family. If you have a good family foundation it helps a lot.
Do you think the trends in business and culture has changed since you got into the profession?
Our industry is a tight knit community second and third generation families who own businesses that are a part of our organization. Now these businesss are being taken over by large corporations or private equity firms. It is all about turning a quick profit (with some) without regard to giving back to the industry which many of these small mom and pops stores did and the suppliers do. It is much more cut throat now. Squeezing the last dime. Partnerships aren't always as valued as they once were.
You talk a lot about family offering perk and about being family friendly?
For me it is not a perk it is a way of life.
How do you honor that? Shorter hours, longer lunches, more time off? Or just being more flexible when people have needs?
All of the above
But. ..I do expect when there is a project under crunch time or something that needs to be done, they will get the job done. I don’t care about the hours (they work) but do expect them to give 120% to do a great job, not just a good job. I want to know that they will do what it takes to get it done.
If you were going to offer a quote that ememplifies your leadership what would it be?
I will use my high school yearbook quote and that is from Confucius, "When small man castes a big shadow the sun is about to set."
It is a challenging job. Some days I feel like an imposter and other days I feel like I am on top of the world. It is hard to balance that sometimes. You can get so high or so low. Just maintaining a positive outlook and taking care of the people that work for you helps.
And not riding that wave? Not getting caught up on the highs and lows?
Right. Knowing it will pass. When it is low you got to really…then it is tough. When things are down and morale is down...
(Pause)
So then you have to take advantage of your self care tool kit? Right.
Yeah. Exactly.
Well. Great. And anything else you can find? (both laugh)
Thank you Bill.
Thank you. My pleasure.
Post Interview Question:
How has yoga helped you?
It has made me a calmer person under pressure. Taught me to take a step back and a deep breath while thinking things through. It has humbled me in that it's not easy for me, neither the asana or the community. I have learned to enjoy yoga and not see it as a competition and to try not to have judgements.
(holding the neighborhood cat when home in AVL)
Tell me about an average day for you?
No day is alike. I will try to give you a typical day. I aim to get a good night sleep and up by 6a. Have a small breakfast and get to work by 730a. It’s the only time I get to be alone and get caught up on those things I have to get caught up on. A phone call, email or to practice a speech. I have that hour and a half that is quiet. There are lots of meetings during the day. I run a diversified company. Departments include marketing, communications, IT, government relations, advocacy, law, events. During the course of any given day I could be talking about a myriad of things, an event in Las Vegas to a Congressman’s about their stance, to a government agency about a regulation that they have passed. I basically have an open door policy with my staff which is important so that they can approach me when they need to.
Did you ever expect to be a CEO?
Never. I never really felt that business was my acumen. My strengths have always been communication, speaking, writing and collaboration. I never thought that those traits (that I have known that I have had since I was a kid) would be important to running a company.
Do you now think that those traits are important?
Absolutely. They are critical. To be able to communicate. To be able to take a position and then communicate that position effectively without necessarily causing a ruckus, but getting the point across. Team building is another part of my job. Recognizing when to push and when to pull. This can vary from person to person and situation to situation. It is learning people’s strengths and weaknesses. Developing a team that is well balanced.
What are five aspects of self care that you espouse to?
- Sleep. I think it is really critical. You read about these CEOs that pride themselves on on 3-4 hour sleep/night. I don’t know how they do it and are functional.
- Eating a balanced diet. I do eat a lot of frozen and prepared foods, but try to cook on Sundays for at least a few days. (I love to cook).
- Not sitting all the time. I don’t like to sit behind a desk all day. I try to stand at meetings.
- Being well groomed is important. It helps with self-confidence. It affects how you feel about yourself.
- Exercise is also critical it helps you feel better and burn off steam.
You have been in the job a year? What is has been the biggest challenge?
As with all leadership roles, the biggest challenge is the people. Some people are getting on board and some people aren’t. Motivating people. People that I originally thought would be on board are not. Some of the people who I thought wouldn’t be are. There is a new level of accountability that some people weren’t used to. 'Why are you doing this?' Does it bring value to the company (I ask them). They never heard that before. Challenging things that were considered sacred (before).
So what I am hearing from you is that when a new leader come in there is often a change in culture?
Nod
When you come in with a new culture do you suggest doing it abruptly or gradually?
I don’t know. A lot of people would say that I did things abruptly but I think it had to be done that way. I felt that there needed to be a change in leadership and direction. Pressure testing people with new scenarios, work and situations. Asking them to try different things. To then see what they were capable of. To see where they stood, to see if they wanted more (work/responsibility) to see if they could handle more. I did that with each person. Sometimes it was subtle and some times it was obvious. July and August were difficult months but we seem to have turned a corner. There was a lot of attrition. It was to be expected. I don’t feel bad about it.
So you used the word 'pressure test'? Is that an industry term or your term?
It is my term. I was thinking about that. Someone else asked me about that. 'How are the first 6 months going?' That is the way I approached it. I am backing off now. I have a good indication of what people can and cannot handle.
Did you do it for the sake of what they could handle or did it naturally happen because you were a different type of leader with different expectations?
That is a very good question. It happened naturally because I expect certain things and for some it was unwanted expectations thrust at them. It put a lot of pressure on them.
So you didn’t simulate it? It was a natural occurrence?
In some cases I did. In some cases I took a look at the individual and saw that they weren’t performing. 'Is it that they are lazy? Or do have the capacity to do the work? The manpower to do it? Or the where-with-all to change.' For some it was a conscious decision that I made to increase their load and see. A number of people cannot develop strategy. They are great on the execution.
I was with you once at Borders when Borders was a bookstore and a man came over to you and said, Hey Bill, hi Bill! He acted like your best friend. I asked afterwards who he was and you said, that he had worked for you. He quit? I questioned. No I fired him was your answer. I was impressed that someone would go out of their way to say hello when they had been fired by you.
What is the key to firing someone?
The key to firing someone is that that individual knows why they are being fired. No one should be fired and not have any idea why that is occurring. You say, 'here are the expectations. Here is how we do things. If you can’t get it done there is a consequence.' You have to look out for the wellbeing of the company and the team. You can’t add on to other people’s responsibility because someone isn’t doing their job. That is not fair.
What is the best part of the your job?
The best part of my job is the circle of friends that I have gained over 25-30 years (in the industry). That is the best part. We are all from the same industry and we enjoy each other’s company. I was fortunate enough to have gotten this job. They respect me for it. But at the end of the day when we are all together I am just one of them. Which is what I really like.
Is it hard to be one of the guys (girls) as a peer/friend and yet step back in the role as a leader. Is that challenging?
That has been my leadership style. I have always been able to have friendship with people I work with. A good number of them I am still close with after all these years even though I am now in a leadership role in the industry. We maintain a friendship. I am friends with them but when I am the boss. I am the boss. When I am a friend. I am a friend. When I have to be a boss I have no problem being a boss. They get it.
Your biggest mentor and friend died last week (JP). What did he teach you?
Never to take for granted the people who do the work for you. The people who work in the shop and install your products.
So you are at the part in your career where you are looking towards retirement someday at some point. You are seeing some young people coming into the work place. What advice would you give a young person today?
Go the extra mile. Differentiate yourself by how hard you work and come to me with solutions not problems. If you recommend something to me, nine times out of 10 I will give it a shot.
What would you say is the strength of the millennials is?
The ability to multi task.
I don’t want to say weakness…what is their biggest issue?
The same damn thing.
Ok (laugh)
The same damn thing. Their attention span is shorter. They need a tremendous amount of stimulation, praise, ear phones, ear buds. But they want to be successful to. They need to understand that we aren’t going to hand them the keys to the kingdom. It has to be earned.
You talk about the exemplary person who goes the extra mile and brings forth solutions. How do you retain that kind of person?
You offer them challenges. New opportunities where they can make a difference. You compensate them. You give them plenty of time for their personal life. I am big on that. An example a colleague that I work with he and his wife just had a baby. He was debating on going to Vegas for the biggest event for our industry that is coming up next week. I told him that he’s not invited. Told him to stay home with his family. If you have a good family foundation it helps a lot.
Do you think the trends in business and culture has changed since you got into the profession?
Our industry is a tight knit community second and third generation families who own businesses that are a part of our organization. Now these businesss are being taken over by large corporations or private equity firms. It is all about turning a quick profit (with some) without regard to giving back to the industry which many of these small mom and pops stores did and the suppliers do. It is much more cut throat now. Squeezing the last dime. Partnerships aren't always as valued as they once were.
You talk a lot about family offering perk and about being family friendly?
For me it is not a perk it is a way of life.
How do you honor that? Shorter hours, longer lunches, more time off? Or just being more flexible when people have needs?
All of the above
But. ..I do expect when there is a project under crunch time or something that needs to be done, they will get the job done. I don’t care about the hours (they work) but do expect them to give 120% to do a great job, not just a good job. I want to know that they will do what it takes to get it done.
If you were going to offer a quote that ememplifies your leadership what would it be?
I will use my high school yearbook quote and that is from Confucius, "When small man castes a big shadow the sun is about to set."
It is a challenging job. Some days I feel like an imposter and other days I feel like I am on top of the world. It is hard to balance that sometimes. You can get so high or so low. Just maintaining a positive outlook and taking care of the people that work for you helps.
And not riding that wave? Not getting caught up on the highs and lows?
Right. Knowing it will pass. When it is low you got to really…then it is tough. When things are down and morale is down...
(Pause)
So then you have to take advantage of your self care tool kit? Right.
Yeah. Exactly.
Well. Great. And anything else you can find? (both laugh)
Thank you Bill.
Thank you. My pleasure.
Post Interview Question:
How has yoga helped you?
It has made me a calmer person under pressure. Taught me to take a step back and a deep breath while thinking things through. It has humbled me in that it's not easy for me, neither the asana or the community. I have learned to enjoy yoga and not see it as a competition and to try not to have judgements.
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