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Leadership has always been a big deal with workers.
They want to know whether the company is headed in the right direction and need the confidence that their bosses know how to get there.
But in the past two years, CEOs have been swept into an unprecedented time of workplace turbulence, forced to pivot from daily office hours to pandemic remote work and now to a hybrid of the two.
Employees of our top three CEOs told us that their bosses have reshaped their work environment while giving them the flexibility they want in their lives.
Our leaders of the year are Mark Edwards, president and CEO of Halff Associates Inc., among our large companies; Paul Driscoll, CEO of Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors, in the midsize category; and Matt Tresidder, CEO of Leadr, among the small companies.
Their employees gave them the highest scores in the competition for the statement: I have confidence in the leader of this company.
We asked about their leadership styles and how that helped them unite their employees behind a common goal of business and personal success.
Here’s what they and their employees said.
MARK EDWARDS
President and CEO, Halff Associates Inc.
Architecture and engineering company
”I am a people-first leader and care deeply about our employees,” Mark Edwards said. “I believe in providing a culture where our employees have the resources they need to flourish and create ownership within the company.”
Headquartered in Richardson, the employee-owned integrated architecture and engineering company has 596 local employees.
Edwards lets them and their managers decide when they need to come into the office and when they can work effectively remotely.
“The hybrid model is an excellent solution for our employees,” Edwards said. “It allows them to have flexibility while still being able to provide the high level of client care we are known for.”
What gives his workers confidence?
Edwards’ employees attest to his people-first leadership skills.
”Mark is a quality individual. I appreciate his willingness to get to know everyone here at Halff. I’ll leave it there because that in itself is phenomenal.”
”He understands that without the people, nothing is possible.”
”People here care for and take an interest in one another. This is all reflected from the top down because the president of Halff exudes these characteristics at all times.”
”Our president at Halff leads with awareness, positivity and confidence every day.”
”He handled our time during the tough stages of the pandemic very well, and we have come out better for it with his leadership.”
“Mark bridges the gap from our old leadership and culture to the new way of doing business. He is steady, friendly and open-minded to new opportunities.”
“I know that profit is important for a company to survive, but it really feels as though he puts people first and profit second.”
PAUL DRISCOLL
CEO, Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors
Building and construction
”I would describe myself as a servant leader,” Paul Driscoll told us. “One of our core values at Hill & Wilkinson is putting others before self, and that is something I strive to do daily.”
He’s adjusted his no-remote mentality to allow employees to work off premise two days a week. It’s proved to be so effective and such a hit with workers that he’s considering adding a third day of remote work.
This fits in with his vision “to encourage, listen carefully and demonstrate humility in the way we make business decisions.”
The Richardson-based construction company gave its 306 D-FW employees an extra week off during the Christmas holiday.
“We felt that this benefited many of the families that must travel during the holiday season by removing the stress of trying to reserve vacation days to ensure quality time with family,” he said. “This was a true testament to our commitment to work-life balance for everyone in the Hill & Wilkinson family.”
What gives his workers confidence?
Employees describe Driscoll as genuine, caring, hardworking, encouraging and relatable. They say he engenders that throughout the organization.
”All opinions are heard and discussed. No matter your age or position, any suggestion or idea will be evaluated in a team environment. H&W understands the importance of family and personal life outside of work.”
”I am allowed to be creative in ways that help the company be better. I am not micromanaged or questioned regarding my completed job tasks/duties on a daily basis.”
“I wake up before my alarm clock to get ready for work. I’ve been here for two months, and I’ve never felt the passion to succeed as I do since I started here. Being around good people that love their job and want the best for a company is inspiring and makes me the most motivated I’ve been in years.”
MATT TRESIDDER
CEO, Leadr
Mass-market apps and software company
”It’s better to believe the best in someone and be proved wrong than to believe the worst in someone and be proved right,” Matt Tresidder said in describing his leadership style.
The founder of the Plano-based apps and software company with 100 D-FW employees had to go with the flow when it came to offering employees hybrid work flexibility.
“We initially set out to be 100% all in office,” Tresidder said. “After 2020 hit, this significantly limited our ability to hire the right people. So we’ve since adopted a strategy of: ‘We’d prefer an A player remote vs. a B player in office.’ ”
What gives his workers confidence?
His employees say he is intentional and motivational.
”Matt is all-in on our mission. I know he truly believes in what we’re doing and the why behind it.”
”He has clear goals and a zeal to develop people. He truly believes in the product and the people creating it.”
”Constant communication from Matt and our whole leadership at our weekly all-hands meetings. Matt’s vision for Leadr is so ambitious, it carries throughout the entire company.”
“He is not afraid to make decisions and pivot to what works.”
“Matt is open, personable and has been where we are. He is an excellent leader and motivator.”
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