To be the leader, the owner, the CEO of your construction firm takes determination, a true mission, and an investment to continue to innovate your team and operations. From planning to training and getting the bids, construction is not for the faint of heart. As the owner, you already know this is true.
As a construction owner, you are an entrepreneur, a person with a warrior spirit to engage the build, project, and process with determination and ultra-strong willpower. From hands-on training of your team to trade shows and manufacturer product launches, you embrace the quest for knowledge to stay ahead of the curve in your field. What new technologies are available? Are operations at optimal functioning? How can I better my leadership?
GREEN FOCUS
I present to you Zachary L. Green and his book Warrior Entrepreneur: Lessons from the Battleground to the Boardroom. Published in 2021, Green put his experience into written wisdom for others. He took his inner warrior expertise and survival tactics and put it into actionable insight.
Who is Zachary Green? A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and was a lieutenant with his local fire department. Zachary is the founder and former CEO of MN8 LumAware/Foxfire. Zachary grew the company from the trunk of his car to over $30MM in organic sales and $5MM in venture funding. The product line is now distributed by The Home Depot and counts the US Government, Walmart, Kroger, General Electric Aircraft Engines, and Procter and Gamble as customers.
Zachary received the President of the United States “E” award for exporting and has been honored as Exporter of the Year by the Ohio Small Business Administration as a result of exporting to over 25 countries. Zachary has testified in front of the US House of Representative Small Business committee and was named Entrepreneur of the year by Governor, John Kasich. Zachary was also selected by the Obama White House as one of 10 entrepreneurs to represent the United States at the Global Entrepreneur Summit.
WARRIOR SPIRIT
A common theme between different types of warriors is grit. Green explains “grit” as never giving up, embracing adversity, and using challenges to growth. Through the ages, warriors have adapted to their surroundings and circumstances, and the same can be said about entrepreneurs.
A true entrepreneur with a warrior mindset understands that conflict and challenge can help personal and professional growth. Green’s book provides tenets for business, especially in the chapters focused on: teamwork, purpose, confidence, tenacity, adaptability, never give up, grit, sacrifice, morality, and serenity. Are these attributes you’d like to strengthen in your own life? Your own business?
WISE WORDS
In Green’s book, there’s a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, “Man in the Arena” speech, that speaks to the warrior spirit of an entrepreneur:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory not defeat.”
TAKES GRIT
To know success is to know failure. How one reacts to setbacks or challenges sets the tone for team dynamics. For the entrepreneur, risk becomes a motivator to push ahead and find innovations to move forward.
I’m sure you’ve seen or heard certain experts in the construction industry say that GCs lag behind in technology to automate or take tasks to a digital level. I understand the concept of “this is how I’ve always done it” and “show me how this tech benefits my scope of work.” Green would express the risk is worth the outcome, the benefit … take the risk and set your company apart from the competition. Risk can be your friend, not your enemy.
Take one step to further your company growth and look back in 6 months and see the changes that have occurred. Do something every day to move yourself and your operations forward. Over time, these small changes become big waves of perseverance. Align your team to move in the same direction to meet the mission and walk the vision. Teamwork is a core strength of success.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Chapter three concludes with a great summation of becoming a true warrior:
“Once you become a true warrior with your heart, mind, soul, and spirit, you will find yourself helping others too. Being a warrior is all about making an impact and imparting your knowledge and wisdom to other entrepreneurs, especially those starting their entrepreneurial journey.
“Follow the warrior way and embrace resistance and adversity and opportunities for growth. Find the lesson in your challenges. Use courage to face your challenges head on, look at them as lessons, and you too will become a warrior.
For More Information:
Learn more about Zachary L. Green and where to purchase his book at www.warriorentrepreneurbook.com. Green is available for conference speaking events, too.
Modern Contractor Solutions, November 2022
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