But it's the stuff that he didn't say that really counted.
I didn't realise it at the time but I was being inspired by a great leader.
It was the year I passed my driving test and the same year I got my first real job.
I’d been studying part-time at college as part of a Youth Training Scheme. Just three months into the course, the training college were approached by a local businessman who wanted to take on an apprentice. I was interviewed, and before I knew it, I got myself a 6-month placement within the family firm. I was delighted – what an opportunity.
Right from the start I had a good feel about things. I felt welcomed and wanted.
Back then I did the only thing I knew – which was to work hard.
I would do anything for the company. I’d run errands, buy the stationary, keep the place tidy, lug equipment around to customer’s sites – oh and obviously I made the tea and coffee.
The company was based out of a little industrial unit the size of a large double garage. There were around a dozen similar units on the industrial estate, all in blocks of three.
As the firm grew, there was an opportunity to expand into the unit next door. It was a big thing. We’d be doubling the size by knocking through. The unit however, needed some work.
Here’s where the story really starts.
Keith (the company owner) asked if I’d help by getting the place ready so it could be set up as a proper workshop.
The concrete floor was dirty, dusty, and flaky.
It needed sorting.
“Do you want to do it Glenn?“
Like any job I was offered back then, I jumped at the chance.
My response – “Yep absolutely no problem, I’ve done similar stuff before - when does it need to be done by?” – or something like that.
Back then, my dad loved his cars (he still does). One thing dad would always do, was seal and paint his garage floor, to keep the dust down. A bit like a proper mechanics workshop. Years back, I had painted it with him, so I knew exactly what to do.
Keith asked if I could start in a couple of weeks once he’d completed the deal and had the keys for the unit next door.
Two weeks passed and the week before I was due to start the floor, Keith had a word with me. Here's what happened.
He thrust a load of cash into my hand from the petty cash tin (that’s how we paid for things back then). He also gave me his car keys.
“Can you go out and get the stuff we need to do the floor”.
I was like, “emmmmm yeh no problem”.
“I’d like to go for a grey colour” he said – “I think that will look great.
What do you think Glenn?”
“Ehhhhr yeh, grey will look good (thinking to myself wow there’s loads of types of grey).
“Just choose something that will stay clean and fresh looking, it will probably need to be fairly dark, but I’ll leave it up to you”.
That’s literally all I got from Keith, oh and don’t forget the keys to his Rover Vanden Plas EFI, which back then was an amazing car.
Here's what Keith didn't do.
“Right Glenn, here’s some money to get the things you need to do the floor.
I’ve made a list of what you need to get. I’ll just run through it with you to make sure you understand it. You’ll need rollers, a long roller handle so you’re not bending down all the time, a big brush to sweep the floor clean first, a heavy-duty pallet knife to get the flaky bits up, some concrete sealant, masonry paint, and I’d like it to be this specific colour. Make sure you get some gloves and oh, you’ll also need some white spirits to clean the rollers too”. Etc.
That’s what he didn’t do.
He also didn’t tell me where to go and get the stuff from. He left it entirely to me.
He fully trusted me, with his car, with buying the materials, and most importantly, with getting the job done.
When I came back with the materials and tools, he had a quick look at the colour I’d chosen and said "that looks great - just let me know if you need any of us to help you move things around”.
He also said – “feel free to come and go as you like to get the job done, and just in case you want to come in at the weekend, here’s £10 for your travel expenses”. What he was really asking was, will you do this at the weekends to avoid any disruption?
Guess when I chose to do the work?
Yep, that’s right, at the weekends.
In fact, it took three because it was a big job.
Once completed, he heaped praise on me.
Told me how much he appreciated my efforts and how great it looked.
There were a couple of bits I wasn’t happy with, which I knew he’d spotted. I offered them up before he even needed to say anything.
Because of the way he involved me, he absolutely got me to take full responsibility for the work. And for the bits that weren’t quite right, I went the extra mile to make sure they were sorted.
Job done – and it was a good one even if I say so myself.
I soon found myself becoming trusted and given more and more responsibility. I set up a stores system, installed equipment on customers sites, and very soon after, I was trusted to project manage site works and front discussions with our customers. I worked all over the UK and was empowered in everything I did. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the making of me.
After about 5 years, Keith had grown his business considerably, and was employing about 30 people. It wasn’t long before he successfully sold the company to a large international firm.
Here’s what happened next.
In no time at all, the new company layered in a whole host of processes, rules and procedures.
It was the complete opposite to Keith’s way of working.
Processes for this - Procedures for that - Rules to prevent the other.
Suddenly, it felt like we no longer had a say in what we were doing.
That our view and opinions didn’t matter.
That we were no longer trusted
At the time I didn’t realise how inspirational Keith was, but now when I look back, I know.
He was an amazing and inspirational leader.
One that I was very privileged to work for.
I often think back to that day when I went to get the paint and rollers, and when I gave him his car keys back. I put them into his hand and said, “mind you, it rattles a bit at 95mph”.
Keith just smiled.
He never did let on if he knew I was joking or not 😊.
What a great Leader.
To find out more about Personal Leadership and how it can help your business, contact Gherkin Associates.
Find Gherkin on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/gherkin-associates-ltd
Helping People and Businesses Thrive
Glenn Smith – Gherkin Associates Ltd
Comentários