Leadership in Small Businesses: Recommitment Methodology

Leadership in Small Businesses: Recommitment Methodology

How is it possible for an entrepreneur to rebound to the pinnacle of achievement among his peers after losing all but one of his teams? From August 2005 to June 2006, the company was without a permanent office, had to deal with a customer base that was emotionally distraught, dealt with the loss of an experienced team, and found work in other states for displaced employees.

Following Katrina’s unwelcome visit, my team received the coveted Chairman’s Circle award from the company I represent for two consecutive years. How are you going to overcome that and get into the Chairman’s Circle in just two years?

This required us to relocate 30 miles from our initial office, rebuild, and start over. The insurance company I represent had taken the very responsible decision to limit the amount of homeowner’s insurance we could provide. They had basically stated, “We talked to some weather forecasters and we believe that a Category 5 hurricane will hit and destroy New Orleans in the near future.” All I could see at the time was that they wanted to take away my opportunity. They told a story about a Category 5 hurricane that would hit New Orleans, and I thought they were making up the story.

Since Betsy in 1965, we hadn’t had a significant hurricane strike New Orleans. I had begun slowly disengaging years earlier, but in 2004, a year before Katrina attempted to drown our hopes and dreams, I reached my highest level of disengagement. I was extremely resentful and believed I knew more than the business. I put more of my attention on playing scratch golf than on leading my team and setting an example for them.