Interview me? 600 blogs.

In a few hours,  I will be interviwed for a new digital magazine, called Executive Life. An underlying theme of the interview is "Don't retire, refire." And as I started my day, I am refiring on all cylinders. And why not. A person can accomplish a lot in 5 years. My first company grew from $2 million in sales to $500 million in sales in five years and from 28 employees to more than 5,000 employees. 

I expect to be asked about leadership qualities. The classic  question is are leaders born or made? Some leadership qualities, such as, an inner passion, an ability to inspire others and a commitment to personal beliefs, can not be taught. Most of these qualities are recognizable in grade school. I was developing and selling plastic garden tools in high school. I designed a toothpaste holder for the bathroom. I was an early reader and when I was in the fourth grade, my teachers had me read in front of the eighth grade, as some sort of example. I a sure that endeared me to the upper class.  I started a club at KU which I sold in my sophomore year so I could pay tuition. And so on. 

But after that I had good business teachers who taught me managerial skills, hiring , firing, organizational development. Then my personal business experiences taught me the rest including the financial aspects of a business. It takes an ego to presume that I have anything to share, but I was asked to do the interview so ego aside, I will share what I can and leave the value to the audience.  I have forgotten more than most people know and I have learned a thing or two along the way that I will share, at least the following, with the audience this morning. 

What is obvious to me is not obvious to others. Every management system can be improved. The best team players are typically not the best individual contributors. Executives must be adaptable and anticipate the future. Failure is meaningless and success is meaningful. It is seldom about the money, but it is always about recognition and appreciation. God is in the details, the devil is in the headlines.