Episode Overview
Devynn Thompson says she gets a great deal of benefit from masterclass topics such as: How to Pivot. Staying Resilient. Maintaining Emotional IQ.
Those subjects–and more–are valuable to her as operations manager of Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain, which she runs with her husband.
The company has been in business for 10 years and is doing $8 million in revenue from two locations based in California and Arizona.
Along the way, Thompson developed a strong interest in leadership and self-development.
She has come to see leadership of a company as a responsibility and has absorbed several lessons.
One of her top aphorisms: “True success comes from empowering other people, and that's when you really start to grow.”
Thompson has also been able to apply another skill to her management approach–one that’s not easy for anybody to master: embracing the negative.
“Hearing the bad things about you as an owner is more important than hearing the good,” she says.
The trick is to listen with an open mind, not take criticism personally and to seek remedies when necessary.
Along with being open to internal feedback, Thompson is also active in peer-to-peer discussion about management and leadership with other company owners. Even competitors.
“Reach out to people that are on the same level and create a support system with them,” Thompson advises.
Being a leader is a privilege, she says, and a good leader needs to both ask and answer questions.
Devynn Thompson recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included Thompson’s thoughts on:
[05:06]: How Thompson went from apprentice to business owner
[17:00]: How to address comparison anxiety
[31:46]: Thompson’s delegation process
[27:02]: The benefit of taking a sabbatical
[35:28]: The importance of having a thriving mindset
To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.
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