There's no one "right" way to lead a business. Today's leaders have a lot of wisdom to impart about managing the modern workforce, because each one approaches leadership in his or her own unique way. Every week, Business News Daily will share a leadership lesson from a successful business owner or executive.
- The leader: Jafer Patterson, executive vice president of Junk King Franchise Systems
- Time in current position: 5 years
- Jafer's philosophy: "Encourage employees to bring their most authentic selves to the workplace." (Click to tweet)
Patterson explains the experiences that helped form his personal leadership philosophy:
"Throughout my career, I have encouraged team members to express themselves authentically in the workplace. Whether it's through sharing personal stories or showcasing elements of their unique style or personality, I want people to bring their truest and best selves to the office. Likewise, I want my team to sense that I am being my true self in my interactions with them, which has allowed me to build more natural, trusting relationships with colleagues.
"I always say that Junk King doesn't have a 'presentation' layer. We have a relaxed, casual work environment. We operate in an open office space. We move around throughout the day to interact with one another and share ideas. I am rarely in my office. I am moving from one meeting to another, engaging with staff, franchise partners and suppliers. I have been known to keep my golf game sharp by practicing my putting in the office, especially when I need to reassess or regroup.
"By promoting authenticity, we have been able to create a world where people don't need to leave their true selves at the door five days a week. We have built a happier, more collaborative work environment where people want to stay longer, work harder and achieve success individually and as a group. It's a win-win situation."
