I’d like to start with telling you a little about the Walker Hill business journey from my perspective in hopes that it will shed a bit of light on the growth of leadership and culture in our firm.
Year one: Two guys with a 50m2 office and our home computers placed in opposite ends of the rooms. There’s a nice little welcome hamper perched on the table from our family and friends congratulating us with the new business, along with a toaster, a sandwich press and some snacks.
We would run to Office Works to print, scan, fax and purchase stationery as we could afford it. It was quite the quality operation.
It got to a point where I decided to sell my fridge to buy a printer. We used the cardboard boxes from our desks as a door cover so people couldn’t see into our office at night.
Andrew broke my car door, which meant that I would have to get out of the car and run to the other side to let the person out. I sold that car for $500, still with broken car door.
The day we pulled a proper wage I had $4 in my bank account and -$8 on my credit card. Yes, I had gone over my maximum available limit on my credit card.
The first year, strangely enough, ignited a culture that as a leader of Walker Hill I chose to carry on the following years. A culture of pushing oneself, not giving up and maintaining confidence that I can and will make it. This was the start of our culture and it has evolved since.
Year two, three and four are now quite a blur. Year two saw two staff members, year three saw five staff members, and by year four we were sitting at 15 staff with two additional successful business offerings, Space Digital and WH Finance.
What I have found changed significantly in years three and four was my position. I went from being hands on in the day-to-day production of Walker Hill to heavily project managing.
Although this change was planned, the outcome was not expected to be as successful as it was (obviously we are very happy with it, we did not expect to grow by 3x in just one year).
My position became one of leadership, providing motivation, direction, support and guidance. I was required to make decisions that dictated the direction of the firm, the culture and the people.
Looking back, I should have been crapping my pants; 15 people looking at me every day for motivation, direction, support and guidance. I think I was able to do as well as I did because I was basically oblivious to the roll initially.
But now I look back and I tell you that I could not be happier with the position I am and the future of Walker Hill and my team. Not because I am a control freak, which Andrew will argue that I am, but because I have loved being a catalyst in growing Walker Hill, Space Digital, WH Finance and the people that are apart of the group.
How to become a great leader
In order to be a great leader you need the right mindset. So what are the key areas of a ‘right mindset’ in order to become a great leader?
- Take responsibility and be accountable
When your staff screw up, it’s on you. Be accountable, not only for your own actions but for those who look to you for leadership.
- Control your Emotions
Emotions are a valuable tool but they can also be detrimental. There is a time and place to use emotions (the Monday morning motivation speech or the end of month congratulatory drinks thanking the staff for a job well done).
But if you are sitting across the table from an angry staff member and then you jump on board with that anger, it will fall apart. Your perception to that staff member and those aware of your slip up will become poor.
- Lead by Example
If you complain, you will be surrounded by complainers. If you rock up late and leave early, your staff will follow suit.
If you are happy to have that culture then that is fine, but if you want to instil a level of work ethic that rivals Olympians then you need to set the example.
- Listen
Listen to your staff, listen to your clients. Understand their wants and needs.
- Be Accepting
Understand that people will have different opinions. You will dictate culture and what your expectations are of the firm, but also be accepting of others opinions. You don’t have to agree.
- Expect No Thanks
People will thank you and be appreciative, but don’t expect it. If you expect the world to show you love, you will be disappointed and it will get to you.
Remember, you’re a leader due to your passion to do so, not for the hero status.
