I recently went one on one with Tyson Smith, CEO of Reading Horizons.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Tyson: I have been involved in family business since my early teens. My father-in-law recruited me to join his business after I graduated with my business degree, and I’ve been here ever since. When I joined, the company was very small, with one full-time employee focusing on software. We’ve seen a lot of change over the past twenty years. I’ve made some terrible decisions, like stepping into overseas markets too early and other good ones – such as adding the right leaders at the right time. I’ve learned the importance of understanding and then playing to people’s strengths. Hiring the wrong team players or poor job alignment has disastrous impacts.
Adam: What are the best leadership lessons you have learned from leading your organization?
Tyson: I’ve learned the importance of proper alignment between individuals and their strengths and roles. I’ve learned that people want to feel that their work matters and that, in turn, they matter. They want to feel like they are growing and contributing their skills to something bigger than themselves. I’ve learned that focusing on something more important than profit is an excellent way to breed loyalty and increase performance.
Adam: What are your best tips for fellow leaders?
Tyson: Be intentional with how you design your culture. Recognize that it’s a living thing and that you can guide it but not create it in a vacuum. Getting culture right, coupled with an impact-oriented mission, is a great formula for team player fulfillment, loyalty, and retention. It also makes work meaningful and enjoyable. People who are crusading together toward a common purpose, especially one that has substance and impact, build relationships that add real meaning to their lives and endure beyond the workplace.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Tyson: We all appreciate leaders who are humble, quick to recognize the contributions of others, and to limit the credit they take themselves. The leaders I like to follow are also able to instill vision and pursue it relentlessly. They facilitate collaboration by bringing the right people together and listening to their perspectives to arrive at the best outcomes. They lead by example, never asking others to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. They do what they say they will – exhibiting integrity and honesty at every turn. I believe they are also passionate about their work, and others sense it and want to be part of it. You can take your leadership to the next level by playing to your strengths while striving to adopt behaviors that lend themselves to leadership. I believe leaders are made, not born, and that many styles can lead. Disciplining yourself to change behaviors and applying knowledge correctly is something anyone who is determined enough can do. Layering learned behaviors with key strengths to build leadership capacity must be done with intent.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders?
Tyson:
People should always come first.
Find what you are passionate about and pursue it relentlessly (be true to yourself).
Keep the long game in mind – pursue long-term impact over short-term gains.
Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading and managing teams?
Tyson: Understand what needs to be done and develop job descriptions. Identify candidates whose strengths align with the roles in question. Be very intentional in hiring the right culture fit. Train the individuals and then get out of their way while also holding them accountable. Don’t be afraid to delegate; it’s the only way to scale.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Tyson: To take a job in the education space. I love the work I do, making a difference in the lives of people who need to learn how to read. I can’t imagine working in any other industry.
Adam: What should everyone do to pay it forward?
Tyson: One of my top strengths is “connectedness,” which means I see the connections in seemingly disparate events, happenings, etc. I believe that we as human beings have much more in common and much more to offer one another than is generally understood. I am a huge advocate for living life with purpose and impact at our core and making the well-being of others our priority. Doing so helps us to be more selfless and grateful. There are opportunities to pay it forward all around us.
