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Columbia Business Monthly

Top Workplaces Q&A with three leadership honorees

Nothing impacts a work environment more than company leaders, who set the policies, priorities and culture that guide every employee. While all of our Top Workplaces have quality leadership, these three stood out in our survey for making sure employees feel empowered, motivated, recognized and fulfilled. We asked them to share the secrets of their success.


L. Gayle Aycock

President and CEO, LRADAC

Leadership winner: Midsize Company


How long have you been in your role?

Seven years in my role at LRADAC.

What was your first experience as a leader?

In 1988, I developed and implemented an inpatient program for individuals struggling with substance misuse and mental health disorders. I worked with a diverse, interdisciplinary staff. The treatment staff reported directly to me; the medical staff did not, which inherently created a potential conflict. I learned my best lessons in diversity, communicating so others could hear and motivating others. I learned how to get others to want to work with me that otherwise would not have to. It was hard but it changed the trajectory of my career and my leadership capacity.


Did leadership come naturally to you, or did it take practice?

I realized my passion to help others and then later my passion to lead others in helping others. I believe I bring good instincts to the task, but like everything, practice makes us better. I am still practicing!

Who has been a mentor for you, especially related to leadership?

There are more than several people that come to mind in my many years of working in the behavioral health field. Most of my mentors have been earlier in my career. There was a work peer who taught me much about continuous quality improvement, building programs and later how to be a surveyor for an accrediting organization.

A chaplain taught me how to best hear others and to learn how to meet people “where they are” to build the best of relationships. An employee who opened my eyes that I had taught her a great deal about leadership, left me dumbfounded with surprise. She taught me to get an ego. I’m still working on that. Later, a friend taught me the art and importance of blazing the trail for others; she was an actor of selflessness and tenacity.

Is there a leadership book that you rely on?

As a servant leader, I focus on the growth and well-being of our employees and customers. I seek to help employees grow and develop. Along with them, I continue to grow and develop. The term servant leader was first used by Robert Greenleaf in his 1970 essay, “The Servant as Leader.” The servant-leader goes beyond strategy, goals, financial performance and customer satisfaction. The servant-leader also creates opportunities for staff to be coached and mentored, giving opportunities to empower versus leading by micromanagement. Literature in support of servant leadership has held my interest and helped me grow.

What qualities are most important in a leader?

Compassion, grace, wisdom, sincerity, integrity, love of your staff, their service and your contribution to the organization. One must carry a passion for their organization’s mission. I was lucky, I knew my affinity involved helping others targeting behavioral health early on in my education and career.

What are your best leadership qualities?

Empowering and engaging others; inspiring motivation and ownership in our employees. I serve with my employees; it is important to talk the talk and walk the walk with them. I am very collaborative and that is time-consuming … our team as a consequence is strong, engaged and productive. The willingness to tackle the hard issues is a hallmark of my career. It is not always easy, nor is it popular, but it is essential in leadership.

What qualities do you feel you need to work on most? 

At times, I think I focus too much on building others’ confidence and not enough on my own. I seem confident, but the truth is I am not really, I am just willing to take risks for the greater good.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that you try to live by?

In management and leadership, I have a pull-and-push philosophy: “Pull your staff up and they will push you forward.”

What is the best advice for someone who wants to move into a leadership position?

Build a strong team that is empowered, engaged and motivated. Take time to invest staff in necessary changes. Let them be heard and ensure that they understand the why. It takes diligence and time on the front end but saves time in the end, and creates a positive culture that embraces change.

Is it important for you to model work/life balance for your employees? If so, how do you do that?

Yes, it is very important. First, create opportunities for work/life balance, ensure policies support the expectation and encourage this balance with consistent behavior and communication with staff.


Taylor Davis

President, NHE

Leadership winner: Large Company


How long have you been in this role?

I’ve worked at NHE for 25 years and have been the president for over 15 years.

What was your first experience as a leader?

In high school, I was elected as the president of the Key Club, a service organization affiliated with the Kiwanis Club. That was my first experience with managing tasks and people, public speaking and also reporting to “adults” with the Kiwanis Club on the activities with the Key Club.

Did it come naturally to you, or did it require practice?

The relational aspects of leadership came more naturally. Delegating and supervising tasks took more effort. Public speaking is still a work in progress for me.

Who has been a mentor for you, especially related to leadership?

My father. NHE was started by him and my mother 51 years ago. I learned so much working directly for him for about 10 years. Although our leadership styles were different in many ways, he taught me the value of hard work and the importance of the team that you surround yourself with.

Is there a leadership book that you rely on?

My father required that I read “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey my first month on the job. I still use many of those principles every day. A colleague recommended “Multipliers” to me two years ago. I found it to be so beneficial that I required all members of our executive team to read it.

What qualities do you think are most important in a leader?

Empathy, decisiveness and good listening skills are a few that come to mind that are essential for effective leadership.

What are your best leadership qualities?

I think I have an ability to relate to people and let them know I care about them ... not just as performers on the job, but as individuals. When people know how much you care about them, it tears down walls and makes working together much easier. I also am dedicated to our business and have performed virtually every function of it, so that each employee knows that I have walked in his or her shoes.

What qualities do you feel you need to work on most?

Communication. I sometimes mistakenly think that my team can read my mind on where the company is heading. I typically am juggling a lot of things on a day to day basis so I have been guilty at times of not taking the time to explain to others what I’m doing and more importantly, why.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra you try to live by?

The Golden Rule for its simplicity and effectiveness.

What is your best advice for someone who wants to move into a leadership position?

Find a long term mentor that can provide guidance and counsel, especially for those tough decisions that come with leadership responsibilities.

Is it important to you to model work/life balance for your employees? If so, how do you do that?

Work/life balance for me is still a work in progress since I love my job, so it doesn’t feel like work most days. I am much better about not working on the weekends as much as I used to.


Tony Williams

President and CEO, Infinity Marketing

Leadership winner: Small Company


How long have you been in your role?

28 years

What was your first experience as a leader?

Army

Did it come naturally to you, or did it require practice?

Naturally

Who has been a mentor for you, especially related to leadership?

Walter Bartlett—CEO of Multimedia Inc.

Is there a leadership book that you rely on?

Not really—I blaze my own trail.

What qualities do you think are most important in a leader?

Honesty

What are your best leadership qualities?

Leading by example.

What qualities do you feel you need to work on most?

Procrastination.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra you try to live by?

Be the change you want to see in the world.

What is your best advice for someone who wants to move into a leadership position?

Be yourself.

Is it important to you to model work/life balance for your employees? If so, how do you do that?

Yes, very much. We’re a family. Giving extra time off, family days, work from home, etc.