Many members of our management staff have continued in their service across generational leadership changes, sometimes spanning more than one. What I hear most often stated about those that stay and thrive under the next generation is that they are successful because they think like the new leadership. I cannot disagree more. This takes too much away from the individual that stays and continues to contribute at a high level or even raises their level of impact. What stands out to me about the people that have remained and thrived is three distinct characteristics.

• They buy into the vision and culture set forth by the next generation
• They welcome a challenge
• They have a strong desire to grow personally

Note: all three are required in combination

Buy Into the Vision
Those alongside me don’t always think like me, and they definitely do not always agree. This is the way it should be. A strong team cannot exist without diversification of ideas, opinions, perspectives, experiences, etc. However, they do agree with two critical aspects: the vision for where the business is headed and the culture we are trying to establish. These are closely linked and indeed cannot be totally separated. Since this will determine the work environment and critical projects to be worked it is absolutely essential if a team member is to remain and thrive that their values align with the vision and culture. Probably more importantly, it will determine what sacrifices are required to achieve the vision. This is where the buy in is most evident.

Welcome A Challenge
I am a challenge to work with or for. My team knows this, reminds me of it often and have come to embrace it. I have noticed that many of the team members are taking great pride in this fact. Well, maybe not so much that I am a challenge, but the fact that they are up to the challenge. The members of my team that enjoy this environment stare challenges square in the face with determination. They have a certain unconquerable spirit about them.

Strong Desire to Grow Personally
Each member of my management team and inner circle possesses a strong desire to grow personally. As I have come in with an elevated vision of what our business can become and how their role must grow to achieve this preferred future, it has been met with excitement. Naturally, some have grown a little and some have grown a lot. For some, the growth has been painful and genuinely difficult. However, all have grown and feel accomplished for it. We have invested specifically in training, coaching and mentoring along the way to support this personal growth. An underlying element of this personal growth mentality is a willingness to take risk and fail if even in small ways. True growth is impossible without this risk taking and failure. If we never take on a new task, a heavier assignment or increased burden, we cannot know our capability limits, nor stretch them. I very much appreciate this about my team and have come to see it as critical for those around me.