Good leaders have “L” plates on

“Put your best people into your best opportunities not your worst problems” was one of the nuggets that were generously served around the table during dinner at the Entrepreneurial Exchange’s Focus dinner. The title for the talks of the evening was “Leadership” it could have been sub headed…..”are leaders born or can leadership be taught?”

Such an argument never ensued. Fraser Haran, Chief Exec of Westcrowns Group (they provide glazing products and flooring services) and Peter Vardy, Chief Exec of Peter Vardy Group (they are a fast growing car dealer business with Vauxhall, BMW and Mini marques) provided us with the unequivocal views that learning was at the core of who they are and what they are seeking to achieve as business leaders.

Fraser openly acknowledged that he had “begged, borrowed and stolen” what works as a leader and from people of all positions and none. Peter’s drive is underpinned through Servant Leadership. Both exuded the passion of students in love with their subject and hungry for more knowledge. 

Both have degrees in business and leadership, both have attended a range of programmes, both read or have read widely, both have sought to challenge themselves and be challenged, both are committed to what I would call the improviser model of leadership.

On a very frequent basis they are sounding out what is working and making changes to keep the company progressing whether that means listening to employees concerns about work life balance and hence not opening on a Sunday (this described as commercial suicide by other dealers……….but it hasn’t and quite the reverse) or focusing more on an individuals behaviour and commitment before performance and addressing head on those under lying issues.  The “mood of the camp” is not a cliche from their lips – it is central to their leadership of company performance.

As I heard them speak I wondered about what would be on their leadership agendas in a year’s time. I would doubt very much that it would be the same as today’s. It would be well worth reconvening in a year and finding out. The pursuit of progress sometimes feels like running through treacle. Fraser and Peter gave us an implicit motivation to demonstrate the we all need the spirit of humility to aspire to greatness. Thanks.