Call it divine intervention. When I was in my thirties, facing the challenges of raising a blended family of six children and leading a struggling company, I was fortunate to be part of a vibrant church led by an inspirational rector, Ed Salmon. I envied how he had the opportunity to touch the 500 members …
Almost six years ago, I sat on a deck overlooking Lake Michigan, sharing the story of Barry-Wehmiller’s people-centric leadership journey and culture transformation with a potential new team member. I was trying to convince a very gifted young man to join our Organizational Empowerment Team. In the midst of my pitch he blurted out “Bob, …
“We don’t pay you to think.” That’s what Larry, veteran UAW machinist, heard from his supervisor 40 years ago when he tried to express an idea about how to improve the assembly process. Things are much different these days for Larry, a mandrel assembler at our Paper Converting Machine Company subsidiary in Green Bay, Wisconsin. …
People have a deep need to feel that they matter. As leaders, we have a unique opportunity to let them know that they do. Recognizing and celebrating the people in our organization for their goodness is not only the right thing to do, it is one of our fundamental leadership values. Most people come to …
Several years ago, a Maritz Research survey revealed this alarming statistic: Only 12% of the American workforce feels like they work for a company that actually cares about them. In other words, seven out of every eight people go home each day feeling unappreciated or unfulfilled to face the challenges at home. As business leaders, we …
May 22 2013
During a recent round of golf with my wife Cynthia, she laid her sand wedge down on the fringe of the green before preparing to putt. As it is easy to forget clubs once we lay them down on the course, I started to thoughtfully remind her to pick it up. Suddenly I changed my …
May 15 2013
At age 92 my mother remains one of my most ardent supporters as well as most influential teachers. While she rarely verbally offers me jewels of wisdom these days, her mere presence is a constant reminder and inspiration to be my best self. Mom was raised on a farm in Iowa but had the privilege …
May 09 2013
I strive to share my passion about the stewardship business leaders should feel to those who join their organization hoping to have meaningful careers with a company that cares about them. Our stewardship, however, extends beyond the people who walk through our doors each day. Our stewardship extends to all of our stakeholders. Embracing each …
Apr 24 2013
Last week I wrote about the evolution of our cultural vision statement, “We measure success by the way we touch the lives of people” and how it has become the moral compass that guides us in our decision making. [The Value of Identifying Values, April 17, 2012] This was never more apparent than during the …
Apr 17 2013
People often ask me about the “a-ha” moment of Barry-Wehmiller’s leadership transformation: What was the big turning point that caused me to change my approach from traditional management to leadership that was people-centric? The realization of our profound responsibility to those under our care came to me through a combination of inspirational revelations and accidental discoveries. …
