New Series: Simple Secrets to Success From Execs Who Know
WashingtonExec reached out to area executives to gain insight and share local “secrets to success” stories. We thought that our readers would appreciate a series designed around their peers as well as from those who have the expertise but might not have the platform to share their knowledge.
First in our series is John Kealey, present CEO of Vivisimo and former CEO of iDirect Technologies.
Kealey provided WashingtonExec with a few thoughts that have guided him throughout his career:
- Build the business and resist being the business. Many entrepreneurs start a venture because they have an idea and a special talent that they can monetize. For example, they have an idea for a software product and the ability to code. To scale the business they need to quickly let someone else do the coding and they need to build the other aspects of the business. Letting go is difficult, but necessary. I have always had my greatest success by hiring people to do everything. My most important job is hiring the right people and letting them “be the business.” My job is to guide and coach, not to do.
- 80% right and fast is better than perfect but slow. Be willing to make mistakes and know you can learn and improve. Speed, more so today than ever, is vital.
- Challenge Everything. Ask questions and challenge what the organization s doing. Many times what is obviously right is very wrong.
- Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it is producing. Those results are directly linked to the behaviors of the people in that organization. If you want to change the results than change the performers’ behavior. To change their behavior you must change yours first. You are getting what you are reinforcing.
- Be nice. Over 80% of the interactions you have with your team should be positive for them. You can be firm when needed, but if most of your interactions with your team are punishing for them you will never bring out their A-game.