Embracing a Heightened Awareness of Leadership

One of my highlights from this year’s NPMA PestWorld conference, held in Nashville, in October, was listening to the keynote speech presented by Alison Levine. The world-renowned adventurer and author, whose expeditions range from Mt. Everest to the South Pole, explained how these experiences can be applied to the business world. Mountain-climbing is a sport I have absolutely no interest in taking up, but I enjoy hearing climbers tell their sometimes harrowing tales, and one of the best books I’ve read in recent years is “Into Thin Air” by Jon Krakauer.

Much of Levine’s presentation dealt with the trials and tribulations of the first all-female Everest Expedition team, of which she was the captain. The 2002 expedition came within 285 feet of reaching the 29,035-foot summit before health problems and bad weather forced the team to turn around. Although she and her team were devastated by falling short of the summit, as team leader Levine made the rational decision that keeping her team alive and in good health was the No. 1 goal of the expedition.

Upon returning home, Levine went on the media interview circuit and enviably was asked about the team’s disappointment for having failed to reach the summit. Levine explained that it was the journey — which included being a part of a great-functioning team — and not the destination that made the expedition an amazing experience. It also opened her eyes to a problem with our success-obsessed society, which she said needs to rethink its views on failure “because a lack of that tolerance stifles progress and innovation and prevents people from taking risks. So it’s not necessarily fear of the risk itself that holds people back — it’s the fear of failure.”

And fear is OK, Levine said, but complacency will kill you. “Set small goals and when in situations where there is constant change, you have to be able to act and react quickly. Don’t get yourself stuck in a pre-existing plan and unable to make needed changes.”

Another important lesson Levine learned was that the leader has to be a part of the team and make the same sacrifices everyone else is making. “Never expect anyone on the team to endure anything you aren’t willing to yourself,” she said.

On the subject of leadership, our December issue recognizes individuals who are leaders in their companies and communities. On pages 38 and 40 you’ll find a photo review of the 2015 PCT/Syngenta Crown Leadership Awards ceremony. This year’s winners are Ron Harrison, Dr. Ed Vargo, Jennifer Leggett, Chris McCloud and Trace McEuen. Also at the ceremony we honored the second Crown Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Norman Cooper. PCT videotaped the presentations and they are available for viewing by accessing the Online Extras section on the PCT Online homepage.

The other group of leaders honored this month are the 2015 Technicians of the Year Award winners (page 63). The awards, sponsored by BASF, recognize a trio of the industry’s top service professionals in the residential, commercial and termite categories. This year’s winners are: Larry Bloechl, Wil-Kil Pest Control, Appleton, Wis. — residential category; Peter Gorman, Waltham Services, Waltham, Mass. — commercial category; and Luis Colon, Heron Home & Outdoor, Apopka, Fla. — termite category.

Good owner/operators understand that, for the most part, they are not the face of their companies; that role and that responsibility belongs largely to the men and women in the field, building and nurturing relationships with their customers on a daily basis. It’s been our great privilege for the past 19 years to annually recognize standout service professionals with the Technician of the Year Awards. We think you’ll agree that Larry, Peter and Luis all carry on this tradition.