I’ve always been drawn to roles where I could be the hero. I grew up on comic books, superhero movies, and sci fi TV series. This heroic recognition addiction is what drove me to join the Airborne Infantry, specifically the history-rich 82nd Airborne Division. It’s also what ultimately kept me fully engaged in the restoration industry after stumbling upon it nearly a decade ago. In every role I’ve filled I’ve wanted to be known as the guy who was at the top of his game. I always wanted to be the one on the team who could manage the most revenue, get the highest customer survey ratings, complete the project the fastest, etc. There is something invigorating about knowing that I played a key role in making someone’s experience or current circumstances better or that I somehow saved the day. In many ways this was how I knew I was valuable to the companies I worked for and if I’m totally honest, in many ways it’s where I found my identity.

Though the awards, accolades, and recognition will always feel good, there is a point where your true value to your team comes in the form of moving away from being the hero to becoming someone who creates heroes. Though I’ve always had a drive to find A+ players for our team, it wasn’t until I started the process of building a strategic leadership team that I finally understood. By changing my focus from myself to the equipping and empowering of other leaders, I not only experienced immense amounts of personal fulfillment but I also ensured the future success of our organization.