I started LABUR with a very good friend of mine, Seth Burr, nearly 10 years ago and we went into business for a simple reason. We share the same values and we get along with each other. Thoughtfully expanding LABUR’s influence into the multi-million-dollar firm that is today came by doing business with people of integrity, who are driven to be the best versions of themselves, as we try to be.
We also thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to influence how people attain success. As leaders, this means delivering, every day, on our promise to contribute to the success of everyone we are in business with.
It’s about inspiring and being inspired and not allowing each other to become complacent in our craft. In the staffing and recruiting industry – or the people business, as we like to call it – nothing is more important, nor so sorely missed. For us, it’s our differentiator. And proudly so.
“Extreme Ownership”
“Extreme Ownership” authored by Navy Seals, Jocko Willinck and Leif Babin, struck a chord with me. I felt like I was reading a well-organized manuscript of the thoughts I have running through my head most days like a ticker tape.
A shared belief: Exceptionalism is not achieved. It is earned every day.
Seth has a fantastic mantra that I find him saying around the office quite a bit – the rent is due every day. It is the idea that you are not going to show up to work one day and have realized all of your goals. And if you do, you need to set new ones. It is about always reaching for more, for being better, and for owning your decisions and your success.
I’m nowhere near the battlefield that Jocko and Leif were on – and I want to pause here and thank them both for their service; it is people like Jocko and Leif who make our country great, and I will personally be forever grateful – but that’s the other key takeaway to “Extreme Ownership,” it applies to everyone, everywhere, all the time.
Here are some of the phrases that inspired me most from “Extreme Ownership.” The words to live by, straight from Navy Seals:
- “Relax, look around, make a call.”
- “Mentorship from the right leaders is critical.”
- “Leaders must own everything in their world.”
- “There are no bad teams, only bad leaders.”
- “Those who will not risk, cannot win.”
If you are looking for more words of motivation, I highly encourage you to follow Jocko on Twitter. His daily picture of his watch at 4:30am is usually accompanied by some inspiring, work hard sentiments.
Becoming Your Best
As we grow into our tenth year in business here at LABUR, and undoubtedly look to add more team members, I’m always on the lookout for people who are out there trying to be the best versions of themselves.
But you’ll never actually be your best.
To me, you’re always becoming your best. It’s a drive and wont to tackle hard challenges, daily. It’s a commitment to honesty, exceptionalism and the betterment of yourself and those around you. It’s the pursuit of excellence, and doing not what comes easy but by doing what is right.
In business, when everyone is in the same pursuit to be exceptional – when there is a shared drive toward common goals – that’s when great things happen. That’s when business transforms, when relationships evolve and trust gets built. And that’s when a team becomes more than a team and more like a family.
Externally, this is called a brand. It’s what a company stands for – and at LABUR we’re proud to stand for relationships, values and the pursuit of becoming your best.