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Sage Advice for Leaders: Work Hard and Share Your Wealth
by Christine
W. Zust, M.A.
Add this note to your expanding To Do list: Talk to a sage. You will
learn more about leadership in a one- or two-hour conversation with
an elder statesperson than from any business management book. If you
often wonder where you will find the energy to get through another day,
think of those who have come before us, who have paved the way for our
success as leaders, and learn from their wisdom.
I had the privilege recently of spending several hours with 93-year-old
Midwestern business leader and philanthropist Ralph Cobey. Cobey, who
still comes into the office every work day, has founded and managed
more than a dozen companies throughout his career. Today, he remains
president of two companies and chairman of a third. Throughout his active
entrepreneurial life, Cobey has started successful enterprises ranging
from asphalt and iron works to steel and rock crushing. I asked him
about success, what words of wisdom he might pass on to emerging leaders,
and what encouragement he could offer to leaders who strive for simplicity
in an age of techno turbulence. His advice might surprise you.
Work Hard. Pick up any best-selling autobiography by any high-ranking
business leader, and most likely the author will claim that it was hard
work that paved the way to a successful career. It was no different
for Ralph Cobey. Cobey vowed at the age of 10 that he would never be
poor. He had worked since he was 4-1/2 years old, earning a nickel per
row to weed celery rows at a local farm. It was hard, dirty work for
a young boy, but he was determined to save his money for a better life.
From that early age, there was no task too difficult for Cobey. He simply
set his mind to it, learned what he had to, and mastered the task, whatever
it was. While he was educated as a mechanical engineer, he credits his
development as a generalist in giving him the tenacity to meet any challenge
willingly. Cobey says general problem solving is difficult today because
so many people are trained as specialists. They can only do one thing
well, and if their life changes, especially during tough economic times,
they have no other skills to support them. He advises broadening your
horizons.
Be an Innovative Thinker. Looking over Cobey's five-page biography,
complete with dozens of honors and awards, it's clear that he is a man
who loves a challenge. While others may merely think of creating businesses,
and never acting upon those thoughts, Cobey turned every thought into
a reality. He doesn't consider himself to be a role model (but he is).
"I am just a man," he replies. When Cobey started his first
business venture in 1946, a farm machinery company, he noticed that
most accidents on the job occurred on Mondays, perhaps because workers
were not as focused on work, having just enjoyed the weekend. Cobey
began offering a chaplain service, for just 20-25 minutes a day, that
allowed workers to spend time in reflective thought and prayer. It wasn't
long before he noticed the accident rate dropping. Wherever there was
a need, Cobey had a solution. U.S. presidents and Ohio governors have
put Cobey's creative mind to work in matters of the environment, economics,
foreign affairs, labor relations, industrial development and industrial
safety for nearly seven decades.
Have a Good Support System. "No one man can do it alone.
It takes others to help him," Cobey says. He learned through his
vast business experience that you can't just hire good people. You have
to be with the people. You do this, he says, by keeping everything exciting
and interesting. "Human beings need attention." Coach people
when they need coaching. Treat everyone as equals, from the janitor
to top management. Push your ego aside. Cobey and his lovely wife of
59 years, Hortense, made the choice long ago that they would support
each other's efforts. Cobey never brought work home with him. Hortense
knew that Ralph was committed to building his business, and Ralph knew
that the time he spent at home with his family in the evening and on
weekends was his personal time. He used his normal workdays to get his
tasks done efficiently and surrounded himself with talented managers
and workers who shared the responsibility. He trusted them to get the
job done, and he kept the channels of communication open.
Share Your Wealth. Helping others to achieve success and giving
to others who are less fortunate has brought Ralph Cobey immense personal
satisfaction. "When you give to others unconditionally, with no
expected return of favor, then you have succeeded in life." In
order to be profitable, you must also be charitable. When your company
does well, that wealth must be shared with the people who got you there
- your employees. He admits that Andrew Carnegie taught him many important
lessons in life, as much of Cobey's life is patterned after the 20h
Century industrial mogul and philanthropist. From the time he was a
young man, Cobey has supported the Boy Scouts of America, and donated
countless hours of his time and energy to the organization. He joined
the group in 1920 ane became an Eagle Scout. As he continued his successful
business career, he never forgot the positive impact that scouting had
on his development as a budding entrepreneur and leader. In fact, his
stone crushing company, Eagle Crusher Company, Inc., proudly reflects
his pride in scouting. Through his quiet efforts, Cobey has shared his
wealth with dozens of non-profit and community-based organizations.
He cautions: give, not because you want the attention, but because you
genuinely care.
It is often said that hard work develops character in a person. In
Ralph Cobey's case, he has given of his time, talent, energy and heart
to help make the world a better place. And isn't that what we all want
to accomplish as leaders and human beings?
Christine Zust, M.A., is a communication expert who helps executive leaders
and management teams develop credibility and clout with their customers
and key clients. She is president of Zust & Company, a Cleveland-based
training, consulting and coaching firm. She can be reached at (440)
777-8373 or visit the Zust & Company website at www.zustco.com.
© 2003 Zust & Company.
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