What I’ve Learned: Crawford Lipsey

Former Chief Executive Officer, Relume Technologies

Encourage others—give out credit where credit is due, correct with humility, and surround yourself with people who know more than you do.

My failures have taught me to be more thoughtful than reactionary; to be more data-driven than emotionally driven, and to be more aware of my intentions and their consequences.

I learned years ago that marriage is not a 50/50 proposition but a 100/0 – giving 100% with no expectation of getting something back. I’ve found this of great value in many of my relationships through the years!

I started out planning to earn money to go back to college and get my Master’s Degree in History to be a college professor. I learned that plans change.

Experience as many functional roles possible when you make decision to run or own a company. I was blessed to hold various positions within the company on my path to becoming CEO.

There is no substitute for hard work. The level you aspire to achieve is directly proportional to the amount of work and education you want to invest.

As a dad, I’ve learned a lot about unconditional love and blind sacrifice and the importance of fun, laughter and providing a safe environment for my family. Remember, you are a role model to your kids.

It is important to become an expert within your role and to model what that looks like to your coworkers and management. In any leadership role, you must create a vision, articulate it effectively, build consensus, build a model for results, and drive results with a passion.

I grew up in a home where achievement was very important. My father was a man of great accomplishments. I could not have learned a sacrificial work ethic without having my dad as a role model.

I sometimes took a professional risk in offering positions to people with more potential than skill, and the potential reward for the company and the individual was worth the risk.

There can be regrets when you hang onto a strategy or tactic too long. There were several occasions when my stubbornness got in the way of changing the direction of an idea or project because I was personally invested.

People pleasing can be destructive, causing unnecessary stress, and trying to guess others’ intentions or actions can lead to poor decisions. Reassess your motive, be honest and operate with integrity.

Listen to others and let the numbers and facts do the talking before you respond accordingly. A good friend once told me that you “need people to give you the answers to the questions you don’t know to ask”!

My vision was fueled by passion. Real passion is contagious and felt by those who work for you, those who represent you, and your customers.