Robert Lashin was our latest speaker in our U35 Network Mentoring Breakfast series on Wednesday, January 31, 2012. Another sold out crowd, so be sure to keep a look out for registrations for the February 29th session to be open shortly.
If you weren't able to make it to the breakfast, we've documented a few of the many insights shared by Robert:
- Remember to give your spouse recognition
- Houle Electric was bought by their employees back in 1979; Robert was one of 12
- On the image problem /stigma of construction: “be proud of what you do and don't see it as a poor career choice.”
- "Treat your reputation like a treasure"
- “I always said I would stay until I found a better job – that was in 1973, and I’m still there...I didn’t know then what opportunities I had.”
- “People who are successful are able to see and learn from other people’s mistakes. People who aren’t successful can’t see and learn from their own mistakes”
- On being involved in associations: “I wouldn’t give back a second, I had a lot of fun, and I learned so much.”
- “Do what you do and do it well.”
- “You have to have the right people on the bus in order to succeed...you can lose your reputation in a minute: 1 short cut, 1 decision and you can lose your company’s reputation. Never think that if you have a good reputation that it will be there forever.”
- “Get involved with associations sooner than later. We’re all busy in our own little worlds, but it’s such a small spectrum in the big picture...we are all connected.”
- “Don’t compromise your core values. Integrity and respect everyone.”
- Robert’s core values: “Never sell out on your core value... honesty...integrity (respect)...professionalism ...and the hunger to gain more knowledge (you must be able to learn to change).”
- “Your success is up to you: you have to grab it, go for it.”
- “Your competitor is not your enemy. We focus too much on our competitors and their pricing instead of focusing on our own work. People in the construction industry are really good people and everyone is trying to do their job and do it well.”
- “Contracting is competitive; it has to be... it’s in our nature to be competitive. Every time you bid, you get better and sharper...get to know your competitors better.”
- “You need to understand the other person’s perspective (of the General Contractors, Trade Contractors and Manufacturer’s and Suppliers). These are the projects that are successful.”
- On being involved: there will always be challenges and you will have to come together (i.e. the General Contractors, Trade Contractors, Manufacturers and Suppliers) and make change...and over time you will accumulate knowledge that you can use in the industry.”
- “You need to know what risks you can take, and what risks you cannot take.”
- “If you don’t keep up, stay updated, you will not be successful. ...how are you going to keep your employees and find talented people instead of them being hired by your competitors?”
- "The only constant is continual change"
- "See challenges as opportunities"
- 93% of communication is how it’s been presented, how you said it and how it’s being received. 7% of communication is the words. If you have an issue, talk face-to-face, don’t rely on email...express your concern but keep your ears open and try to understand and hear what the other person is saying.”
- Book recommendation to read: "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
“If you’re leaving this industry in better shape than when you had started, then you did okay.”