Building A Successful Company: Brick by Brick

A company’s mission statement is much more than just a few nice-sounding words strung together. Take our mission statement at Sedivision:

“Our promise to managers responsible for the maintenance of critical wet infrastructure who are facing safety, compliance and operational challenges is to be: accountable, safe, professional and adaptable.”

While a company’s vision is one thing, the mission is what we actually do. We are building a successful company brick by brick, week by week, and year by year.

At the beginning of the year, I shared with our leadership three things that I wanted them to do:

• To read and really listen to ideas that are put before them;
• To have no surprises; and
• To be known by those who work for them and for whom they work as an honest broker.

Let’s start with the first of those three things that I ask of my senior managers – to read and really listen to ideas that are put before them. I am a big believer in communication at the senior level. Generally, the rule to follow is: Tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them.

If you do that, you take care of the second item on my list – no surprises. If you become a good communicator and hone the art of listening – really listening – to your supervisors, your clients, and those who work for you, there will be no surprises in our workplace, and what a great workplace that would be!

Part of being a good communicator is understanding that people support what they create or participate in creating. Senior leadership means that while you may have a crystal-clear understanding of the company’s vision and mission, it is your job to walk it back to the rest of the team and to meet them where they are. Help them achieve mutually agreed-upon goals and understand that their success is your success; and, ultimately, the company’s success.

Finally, always appreciate the importance of being known as an honest broker. If you want to attain the trust of your supervisors, clients, and those who work for you, they must know you are approachable and trustworthy. They must know that they can take you at your word and that you are on the same team, working toward the same goals. If you communicate often and clearly, know your job and do your job, and understand your role within the company, you are well on your way.

Building a Successful Company, Team Member by Team Member

All SediVision employees should be exhibiting the leadership qualities our company defines. It all starts there. I’m not interested in kissing up to someone or kicking someone down. I am interested in respect all the way around and remembering that when one of us succeeds, we all succeed.

Author Bio Notes

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Denver J. Stutler, Jr., PE, is the co-inventor of SediVision® and CEO of SediVision® and US Submergent Technologies. He holds an MS in Civil Engineering and was principal with Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc. (CDM Smith). In 1999, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). He served as Chief of Staff to Governor Jeb Bush from 2003 to 2005, and in 2005 was appointed Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

In 2011, Denver cofounded US Submergent Technologies. In 2018, he began developing SediVision® to deliver transformational technology for the wastewater industry. In 2021, SediVision® was launched to provide complete visibility in full wastewater tanks.