Quote:
“Success is an accumulation of a lot of decisions in life.”
Interviewer:
In your experience dealing with executives and high profile people, as a wardrobe consultant and your Chamber of Commerce work, what does it take to be a leader?
Bill:
There are so many things that make the answer to that question different for different types of professions or associations. Generally speaking, with my business in mind, I believe that great leaders are great readers. I’ve always remembered that phrase. In addition, you must always be growing. A leader has to be a great example. He or she has to have the ability to connect with all types of personalities and to inspire other people by example. A leader needs to possess consistency, dependability, and trustworthiness.
Communication, also, is so critical in any relationship, but especially in business and in leadership roles. Being sincere and genuine without being manipulative, having the best interests of others at heart so that they can maximize their potential, and stepping outside the box in terms of creativity and thinking are important. So is knowing and understanding the law of attraction, and the law of importance. A leader must also realize that people need to feel appreciated and want to have a sense of belonging.
Interviewer:
Are leaders born, or are leaders developed?
Bill:
I think they can be developed. With some leaders it may simply be a natural talent or a certain personality profile. You learn a lot about personalities in my business, and in sales in general. The different types of primary and secondary personality combinations can determine whether or not an individual has the ability to become a leader, but I don’t think one is born a leader. I think ultimately, leaders are people who have the ability to grow, learn, and be mentored in leadership.
Interviewer:
You have one of the most successful clothing companies in Seattle, Washington. You’ve also done business in Texas.. With your clientele and the leaders you’ve worked with, what are three traits that stand out in your mind as true leadership?
Bill:
Inspiration, example, integrity and principles in business.
Interviewer:
How do you define success?
Bill:
For me, it’s the number of people in life that you have a positive impact on. It’s not about your bank account or tangible assets. It’s not the title after your name that matters.
I’ve always felt that the number of people who show up for someone’s funeral is a great way to measure their success, or their legacy. The only problem with that concept is that you may outlive the majority of them. So it may not be as accurate of a gauge as one might wish. There are certain principles of life that you find in all great success stories. There’s no room for ego in the word success. It’s in the eyes of others to observe, and not for you to advertise or brag about. Success means always reaching out to help others that are less fortunate, and to pay it forward without any expectation or agenda.