Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
A former Harlem Globetrotter who leads Portland’s pro basketball franchise, a nonprofit leader who’s also a drummer and a bank executive with a psychology background were among six Maine CEOs who shared tips for business success at a Mainebiz forum earlier this month in Portland.
More than 200 attendees heard “60 Ideas in 60 Minutes” during a panel discussion moderated by Yellow Light Breen, president and CEO of the Maine Development Foundation. Below are some tips.
Life is simple, but we as individuals tend to make it complicated, according to Eubanks. Yet that’s something he said he struggled with for a long time before concluding that there’s more to life than career success.
“Time is precious, particularly when you have family,” he said.
Hancock believes that restraint is the key 21st-century leadership skill — something he learned the hard way, once he was afflicted with a rare neurological voice disorder that robbed him of the ability to speak for a year. That experience prompted him to tweak his management approach so that when employees ask him for guidance, he puts the ball back in their court and ask them what they would do.
His takeaway: “People already knew what to do and they didn’t need CEO-centric solutions.”
Corporate culture reining supreme is a guiding principle for Weigel, who shared an anecdote about a 2001 merger with another institution that at first didn’t mesh. Today, Norway Savings puts a priority on having a good, healthy corporate culture, which includes talking about it.
“It doesn’t really matter what it is,” Weigel said. “It’s more that you’re bringing people together and working as a team to improve things.”
Cantz shared several insights into change, including the fact that it can create stress and is not always positive for everybody. Reflecting on his path from social worker to business leader, he underscored the need to understand the long-term impact of change. “It’s being aware, having good radar, [and] being a good listener,” he said.
Don’t be “low bid,” be different and sell your value, advises O’Leary.
Back in his late 20s, when he founded a general contracting firm and 95% of the work was low bid, he learned that’s a difficult, high-stress way to make a living. His recommendation: Sell quality and be authentic.
Though he holds himself to high standards, Oakes believes that “perfect is the enemy of the good.” The self-confessed introvert didn’t embrace that until he joined Sea Bags, whose totes and bags from recycled sails he sees as part of that metaphor.
“As long as we’re improving constantly, that’s the key, not striving for perfection,” he said.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
0 Comments