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. Today’s advice comes from Jerry Gordon, CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). Considering Gordon quotes comedian George Carlin, today’s advice is bound to be on point.
1- Surround yourself with brilliant people.
Although I am often credited with accomplishments that are rightfully shared with a great many, my greatest success at the FCEDA has been to assemble a spectacular team of professionals with great talent and long tenure. The senior staff- nine people with supervisory responsibilities- average nearly twenty years tenure with the organization. Several others throughout the organization can top that. They are the keys to our extraordinary success.
2- See number 1; then, stay out of their way.
Over time, I have observed too many situations in which brilliant teams were assembled but which were hampered in the application of their talents to the mission at hand. If you are not going to observe this rule, then just ignore the first one altogether! The job of the CEO is to create an environment in which people can apply their talents to the tasks at hand in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
3- Nurture the critical people in the organization. Prepare them for “bigger and better” things.
Those who have the greatest potential will rise even faster if they are nurtured, trained, encouraged. It makes no sense to sit and wait for them to evolve. Without throwing them into action alone, move them into situations where they can grow.
4- Never assume that you know everything. I have found that it’s better to assume I know nothing and rely on the collective wisdom of others.
Well, you might be thinking, “That’s easy for you to say; you really don’t know anything.” Too true, but I absolutely believe that others know more and have better ideas than I. And, certainly, it must be true that all others combined know more and have better ideas than I. Only a fool will rely solely on his own wisdom or judgment. If you have indeed surrounded yourself with brilliance, USE IT!!
5- Wisdom can be found across the spectrum of ages.
Senior and mid-career staffers can be brilliant, but never overlook the insights of younger people. They have different perspectives and see things differently than I can.
6- Understand that diversity is a good thing because it is a good thing, not just because it is “the right thing to do” or because it looks good.
Diversity in our community, in our neighborhoods, in schools, and in the workplace is too often highlighted because it is “right.” Perhaps that is true, but there is a better reason: diverse backgrounds and diverse experiences give people different perspectives. No business problem has but a single resolution. Besides, different perspectives help find other choices and solutions. Diversity is smart because it is smart and because it makes life more interesting. This time, I’ll steal from the French: vive la difference!
7- Few jobs are beneath me.
My grandparents were immigrants. They fled central and eastern Europe to survive. They sacrificed themselves to ensure that their children (my parents) were educated and they did the same for me. Along that path, they lived through some extraordinary times and some horrible times. For them, any honest job was a good job and it was worth doing right. I hope I always remember that when I meet the immigrants of today.
8- Always be on time.
Eight o’clock does not mean 8:05. There is no such thing as fashionably late; what is fashionable to some is simply rudeness to others.
9- Keep things light. If you aren’t having a little fun doing things, ask yourself whether they are really still worth doing.
I don’t know from whom I am stealing this but: You don’t stop laughing because you get old; you get old because you stop laughing.
10- With respects to George Carlin, always sweat the small stuff!
George Carlin admonished: “Never sweat the petty stuff and never pet the sweaty stuff.” Nevertheless, business people must sweat over the details. Too many people and programs stumble or fall because, although they have done all of the major things right, they have overlooked a detail that caused disproportionate damage.
*This article was featured in the 8/26/2011 issue of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority online magazine E-Bird.