Leadership lessons

Mr. Escobedo started by asking the audience for their definitions of leadership: responses included words like vision, strategy and ethics. All of these are good qualities, but Mr. Escobedo emphasized that leadership is about people. Specifically, he defines leadership as the art of motivating a group of people to do what you need done in a quality way because they want to do it.

Landscaping can be hard, physically intensive work. Motivating your crew to put in their best and to take pride in their work can be difficult, especially if it is freezing cold or boiling hot outside. And in a tight labor market where hiring is a top concern, you have to find ways to make people want to do the work. So how do you make people want to do the work? By becoming a better leader.

There is not a single leadership archetype, but Mr. Escobedo identified a few qualities that you should aim to have:

1. Fairness - the entire crew is watching to see if you treat them fairly.
2. Listening - your crews have the best advice on how to make your operations run efficiently. But they won’t tell you if they believe that you are not listening and acting on what they suggest.
3. Caring - care about your team like you would your business. Because they are your business.
4. Gratitude - show gratitude through big things like money and training, and through little gestures like hot coffee on a cold day or iced drinks on a hot one. But the most important display of gratitude is listening.

In conclusion, Mr. Escobedo's insights highlight the importance of leadership in motivating employees to do what you need done. As the landscaping industry continues to evolve, prioritizing strong leadership and a supportive culture will be essential for businesses seeking long-term success and growth.