Wally Adamchik
Wally’s range of experience is more diverse than most. Who would have guessed that the Notre Dame leprechaun (yes, he was the official leprechaun for a year) would work his way to the rank of commander in the marines and pilot AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters? Eventually, Wally worked his way into construction leadership with FMI Consulting. Now Wally works as a public speaker and consultant, inspiring people in various fields to become better leaders.
In our chat with Wally, we discuss the leadership principles that build strong, productive businesses where employees want to contribute and stick around. Wally says that it’s about a range of things that boil down to a culture built on what he calls “micro trust.” Here are some bits and pieces
Advice Wally gives leaders:
The daily huddle is one of the best tools you have every day.
Credibility is essential.
“Your behavior as a leader drives the behavior of other people.”
If you put barriers in front of new people because you experienced barriers, you’re shooting yourself in the foot (and harming your business).
Beware of short-term thinking that can compromise long-term results. Innovate.
“You can’t create greatness in a company if you don’t share information.”
Begin with the end in mind. Show respect for the individual. Give them tools that work.
Advice Wally gives today’s followers (tomorrow’s leaders):
Show up, shut up, and perform.
Have an open mind. Give your leaders some leeway to make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect.
Pay your dues. If you’re good, you play.
Don’t withdraw to your own echo chamber.
We discuss the fact that the construction industry is a crazy world. There’s a huge range of complications and every single day. Yes, it’s important to get the job done, but the job doesn’t get done if you don’t take human dynamics into consideration. Leadership development is personal development.
Wally’s Megaphone Message:
Jerks don’t win. “We” is better than “me.” Seek to make the pie bigger for everybody. Seek to get new people into the building.
Find Wally Online: His FireStarter Speaking page - His LinkedIn page
