30 Lessons Learned in 30 Years

15 Lessons from CEO Eddie Stewart (Okay, 16 lessons)

1. A person who is nice to me but not nice to a bus driver, is not a nice person.
2. Character and cultural buy-in are far more important than raw talent.
3. Leaders don’t panic in difficult situations. They must be calm in a sea of chaos.
4. If you dread coming to work on a Monday, you probably need to look for another job.
5. I’ve learned a lot of what to do by observing what not to do.
6. When communicating, practice the KISS principal – Keep It Short and Simple. Brevity and accuracy with your message is all anyone wants to hear.
7. A simple “thank you” goes further than insincere compliments.
8. You don’t always have to wait for permission – just get it done and ask for forgiveness if necessary. If you ask a lot of people, someone will probably tell you no.
9. A successful business leader must be a servant first.
10. Never skip an opportunity to have lunch with your team.
11. In business, hoping tends to be an excuse for not trying hard enough.
12. Keep your office door open as much as you can. Be approachable to your team.
13. Don’t step over a dollar to get to a nickel. In other words, the cheapest way is not always the best way.
14. Don’t give people a job. Give them a career.
15. Believe in yourself, even when no one else does.
16. Get the right people on the bus

15 Lessons from President Karen Robbins

1. Everyone loves to win but not everyone loves to compete in the same way in order to win.
2. In business and in life, don’t take offense; play offense.
3. It’s okay to cry when situations or people are more than you are able to cope with.
4. Laugh at yourself with others but never laugh at others.
5. Never, ever stop learning. Be curious and ask questions.
6. Stop asking “why did this happen tome?” Instead ask, “Why did this happen? What do I need to learn?”
7. Being the smartest person in the room sometimes requires you to be the quietest person in the room.
8. Always keep a box of Kleenex on your desk. Human beings cry. It’s normal and okay!
9. Earn respect in business by being accountable, knowing your stuff and not faking it.
10. Surround yourself with people that see something in you that you don’t always see in yourself.
11. Speak up and out more often but always know your audience.
12. Never try to check in 250+ buses on 2 hours of sleep and not expect to make a few mistakes. Lesson learned!
13. Let your mistakes make you better, not bitter.
14. Sometimes people have trouble performing because they are in the wrong role. The people who work really hard in the wrong position are the ones you keep. It’s your job as a leader to help them find a role that amplifies their strengths and make changes.
15. Pay attention to the things that bring you joy then figure out how to apply joy to create a more purposeful life.