From Entex CEO, Wayne Flournoy.
Recently I was having dinner with one of our investors, a bright, inquisitive professional whose career included a stint as a CEO of a well known social networking company, and one as president of Asia for a leading beverage manufacturer. He now teaches Business Management in his retirement at one of our nation’s leading graduate business schools.
Over the course of several hours, our conversation touched on a number of different topics, some personal, some related to Entex. He offered a number of business insights for the company, and we discussed a broad range of topics ranging from finance to marketing to the value of clean water. When I got home, one part of the evening resonated beyond the norm. What struck me in retrospect was how the conversation drifted to values, and those values we teach our children. It was a very personal conversation, touching on a number of issues close to each of us.
Reflecting back on our dinner conversation reminds me of one of the reasons I value my career in wastewater. It’s not a particularly glamorous occupation, especially not back in the days when I first joined, before “sustainability”, “green” and other buzz words became socially popular. Years ago I had a similar dinner with a senior executive at another company in the industry (who’s long since retired). At the core of that conversation, and most of what I remember of that night, was his revelation that what kept him in the business all those years was the people. He related that while there were some notable exceptions, most people were in this business for the right reasons, and were “good” people that he liked being around. I had never thought about it in quite that way until he laid it all out so clearly. I’ve never forgotten that dinner years ago simply for that singular personal revelation.
As I reflect back on these dinner conversations, the recurring themes are remarkable, and worth repeating. In the end, it all comes down to values. Nothing else really lasts. Hopefully, we cultivate those values within ourselves, and successfully pass them on to another generation. Another generation of children, another generation of professionals.
I have had many other, similar conversations, some with other Entex investors with whom I’ve become close, some with other wastewater professionals who have helped give depth to my own career as they shared their own values and dreams.
Take a few minutes this week, find a younger colleague, or perhaps your own children, and spend some time talking about what you do, and why you do it. Pass it on.