Navigating Commongrounds: Insights on Leadership Through the Lens of Relocation
In the heart of the construction industry, Gardner Builders stands out as a company that values people over projects. Founded and led by Bob Gardner, a man with no prior knowledge about the industry, Gardner Builders has grown from nothing into a large and successful contractor over the past 14 years.
Bob Gardner, the CEO, believes that construction is about the people who build it, not just what gets built. He learned this valuable lesson early on, thanks to a teacher who showed him grace and taught him about the industry. This experience instilled in him the importance of finding common ground and pushing past self-doubt with the right support.
One such example of this support came when Bob climbed Mount Massive in Colorado. This challenging feat demonstrated to him the power of overcoming self-doubt and the importance of teamwork in achieving success.
At Gardner Builders, the focus is not on traditional metrics like those found on spreadsheets. Instead, Bob values the moments when he sees his people going home with energy left for their families, discovering they can do something they thought was impossible, and forming connections that turn colleagues into a community.
Leaders at Gardner Builders can't force connections, but they can intentionally create the conditions for them to develop. They do this by fostering an environment where people feel safe enough to be authentic with one another. This authenticity is encouraged through the use of personality assessments for hiring and as teaching tools.
Mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning, and leaders should model vulnerability and demonstrate that questions aren't signs of weakness; they're opportunities for collective growth. Gardner Builders openly discusses mental health and encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work.
Every successful project and milestone achieved by Gardner Builders is due to how they treat people and the spaces they create for them to grow. The success of the company is attributed to every person who has worked there and contributed to creating an environment where people can thrive.
In the future, Bob Gardner sees business leadership involving creating spaces where people have the grace to learn, where they feel valued enough to bring their whole selves to work, and where they can build real connections. He qualifies for the Forbes Business Council and aims to build a workplace where work adds to life instead of draining it.
From a nomadic childhood, attending three different schools in second grade, to leading a successful construction company, Bob Gardner's journey is a testament to the power of finding common ground and the importance of human connection in building a successful business.
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