“Do it as if your job depended on it” was a directive that I will never forget, even 45 years later. Fateful words from an owner, to me, a new employee of Hydro-Air Engineering, long before it became MiTek. Other lasting words have come to me from SBCA Hall of Fame (HOF) recipients:
“Don’t introduce me as the owner, just say ‘Dave works with me’,” said Dave Chambers (1987 HOF) and owner of two highly successful truss plants. Though we all knew Dave was our boss, he was a servant to our customers, and inspired us to follow his lead. And Dave’s brother, Henry, thought a lot like Dave. “Customer Service” read the nameplate on his desk, and everyone else’s desk at his company, Chambers Truss.
“Let me take Joe under my wing,” said Don Hershey (1995 HOF), to Dave Chambers when Dave didn’t select me for a job. Don was a mentor, and a manufacturing legend, who exuded extraordinary faith in people.
“If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not accomplishing anything,” said Mike Conforti (1994 HOF), who shepherded MiTek from a family business to a professional corporation. Mike was devoted to people, and understood their human capacity to make mistakes. His sincerity and honesty gained lifelong friends and customers.
And these from outside of the truss business:
“Bad news doesn’t improve with age,” said my army boss in Korea, who taught me to admit mistakes immediately. No manager appreciates surprises, and all expect prompt corrective action.
“If you find a good person, follow him,” said my uncle, just before he died. This timeless gem defines mentorship to me: the passing of goodness from one individual to another. Job #1 is recognizing and nurturing the goodness that is often near and dear to us. Job #2 is to never stop seeking goodness inside and outside the workplace.