Leading a Culture of Adaptability with Derek Richardson at Deako
- Culture of Adaptability
- Smart Lighting Innovations
- Core Values and Hiring
- Leadership and Accountability
- Vision and Communication
- Cross-Functional Growth
- Resilience in Business Challenges
- Closing Insights on Culture
Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to Growth Think Tank.
In this podcast episode, I sit down with Derek Richardson, CEO of Deako, to discuss the importance of leading a Culture of Adaptability in today’s fast-changing business landscape. Ranked No. 182 on the 2024 Inc 5000 list, Deako has embraced adaptability to thrive and stay ahead in the competitive lighting industry. Derek shares actionable insights on how fostering a Culture of Adaptability allows teams to navigate challenges, embrace innovation, and drive long-term success. We explore strategies for building resilient, flexible teams that can respond to rapid changes with confidence. Tune in to discover how a Culture of Adaptability can become a cornerstone of your company’s growth.
The Power of Adaptability: Derek Richardson on Building a Versatile Team at Deako
Derek Richardson, the CEO and founder of Deako, a smart lighting company, shares insights on adaptability within his organization, which has been crucial to its growth and success over the past nine and a half years. The conversation begins with Derek highlighting the importance of having a versatile team, describing his employees as “Swiss army knife people” who can seamlessly transition between roles in coding, marketing, and sales. This adaptability has enabled the company to thrive, with several core leaders having remained with Deako for over six years. Derek emphasizes how these individuals have evolved, adapting their skills and leadership styles to foster a strong, collaborative company culture.
Cultivating Adaptability: How Deako Builds a Thriving Culture of Growth and Transparency
Gene Hammett, the host, introduces the idea of creating a culture of adaptability, noting that employees willing to embrace new challenges and innovate are vital for growth. Derek explains how adaptability is embedded in Deako’s culture not through targeted hiring but through encouraging employees to explore different roles within the company. This cross-pollination of ideas and experiences has facilitated personal growth among employees, empowering them to take on new responsibilities and reignite their passion for work. Derek reflects on his learning journey as a leader and how hiring individuals who are eager to learn and grow contributes to fostering this adaptable environment.
Derek also discusses the company’s core values, which include transparency and letting the best ideas win. These principles are more than ideals; they have become integral to Deako’s operations and decision-making processes. Derek explains that transparency allows employees to understand the bigger picture and see how their contributions fit into the organization’s objectives. This openness encourages individuals to seek solutions and take ownership of their roles, fostering a sense of accountability across the company.
Empowered Leadership: Derek Richardson on Decision-Making, Adaptability, and Innovation at Deako
Building on the themes of leadership and adaptability, Derek shares his approach to empowering employees to make decisions. He likens his leadership style to guiding a team up a mountain, where everyone takes ownership of their roles in reaching the summit. This decentralized decision-making process helps maintain the company’s agility and responsiveness to challenges, as employees are motivated to find paths around obstacles rather than waiting for directives from upper management.
A significant part of the discussion centers around the idea that adaptability often derives from a willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes. Derek illustrates this point by sharing how the company’s hurdle during lean times has served as a catalyst for innovation. During past financial struggles, the transparency surrounding the company’s situation galvanized employees to brainstorm solutions, leading to new ideas and initiatives that contributed to Deako’s survival and growth.
Building Resilience and Growth: Derek Richardson on Cultivating Transparency and Loyalty at Deako
Gene and Derek also touch upon resilience, acknowledging how a culture of transparency fosters a supportive environment where employees feel safe to tackle challenges, even in the face of adversity. Derek recounts that during critical times when liquidity was tight, the dedication and resilience of his team shone through, with only one employee leaving during such uncertainties. This reflects the deep loyalty and commitment employees have to Deako’s mission and culture.
In summary, the interview delves deeply into the importance of fostering a culture of adaptability and resilience within organizations. Derek Richardson shares practical insights on how creating an environment where employees feel valuable and engaged not only enhances their personal development but also drives the overall success of the company. By focusing on transparency, empowering employee decision-making, and encouraging cross-functional learning, Deako has cultivated a robust culture that positions it for ongoing growth in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
About the Host
Hi, I’m Gene Hammett. I’m an executive coach – I help founders and CEOs create company growth. After studying the leadership of fast-growth companies — the Inc 5000 — I have discovered how their approach to leadership activates new growth. I’m on a mission “To Change the World Through Extraordinary Leadership.” If you know you want to be a better leader, let’s keep going. ’m also a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of the Growth Think Tank, recognized as a top podcast for leaders by Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com. I love to write about leadership and culture that activates new growth. My work has appeared in large publications like Inc., Entrepreneur, and Success Magazines. ver 1,000,000+ business leaders, founders, and CEOs have listened to my podcasts, read my articles, or used my growth strategies to shift their mindsets to achieve incredible business results. Take your leadership to the next level and get access to a proven leadership framework to activate new growth for your company.
How Core Elevation Can Help You Create Leadership At All Levels and Grow Your Company
Core Elevation is designed to empower leaders at all levels, helping companies foster leadership growth and scalability. By focusing on key areas such as accountability, communication, and alignment, Core Elevation develops leadership traits throughout the organization. This approach leads to better decision-making, higher engagement, and stronger team performance. Companies that embrace leadership at all levels can expect increased innovation and faster growth. The program provides tools and strategies to cultivate leaders who drive transformation. Ultimately, Core Elevation helps businesses create a culture of leadership, positioning them for sustainable success.
Interested in a FREE Leadership Communication Skills Workshop with your team? This is about the most difficult of communication, Tough Conversations…
- Gain confidence in addressing difficult conversations with clarity and composure.
- Boost team performance by resolving conflicts and fostering open communication.
- Build trust and alignment by turning tough conversations into growth opportunities.
Resources
A QUICK FAVOR
And lastly, please leave a rating and review for the Growth Think Tank on iTunes (or Spotify) – it will help us in many ways, but it also inspires us to keep doing what we are doing here. Thank you in advance!
If you want more from us check out more interviews:
Transformational Leadership
Productivity Tips
Best Selling Author Interviews
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | https://www.youtube.com/user/leadersinthetrenches
