It's in the Details...and Love

Friday night, Melissa and I went to Highland Brewery here in Asheville. We were there for the Toast to Climate City, a kickoff for this week's ClimateCon going on over at The Collider.

Oscar Wong - Photo from the Highland Brewing website

While I was outside enjoying an EPA (Environmental Pale Ale) special brew benefitting the Collider I glanced to my right to see Oscar Wong. Oscar is the founder of the brewery, and was busy with broom in hand, sweeping the walkway of some mulch that accumulated there. I'm sure that this wasn't his specific job, but this is what a successful founder and entrepreneur does.

You don't get to be as big a success as Mr Wong and Highland Brewing by sitting back and letting things happen. When you see something that needs to be done, you do it. It might be sweeping the walkway, answering the phone or cleaning the bathroom. Leaders take charge and lead by example. It doesn't mean that they neglect their responsibilities or spend too much time outside of their core genius, but it does mean that they are aware of the details.

Melissa reminded me that it is more than just the details - its about love. Oscar loves Highland - anyone who has ever met him knows this. This love is not only shown by his attitude, but also by this attention to detail. It's core to his entrepreneurial philosophy and not just a facade. The love is in the commitment to environmental sustainability, the solar panels on the roof and the continuing support of environmental events and organizations.

He also knew when it was time to hand off the baton of leadership to his daughter Leah who has continued to love Highland. She was also out there that Friday evening, mingling with happy customers and paying attention to the details.

I had coffee yesterday with success and motivational speaker, Brian Biro, and one of the things he said was "be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is who you ARE, your reputation only what others think you are.  Live with this focus and your character will become your reputation!" If you have strong core values and impeccable character, your public persona will take care of itself.

To be successful, pay attention to the little things, hire great complementary people, have impeccable character and love what you do. Visit Highland and see what I mean in person.