Greg Mills and Rich Daughtridge, co-founders of Warehouse Cinemas, speak to the importance of leading by example. From their entrepreneurial experience, which includes opening a theater on the cusp of the pandemic, Greg and Rich have discovered the power of learning from others, taking risks, and acting deliberately.
Leaders Thrive in Adversity
Greg and Rich have been a Visionary and Implementerโข duo for nearly 15 years. When Rich approached Greg with his idea for Warehouse Cinemas, they knew they had found their next major undertaking.
When Warehouse Cinemas opened its doors in December 2019, neither Rich, Greg, nor the rest of the world could see the pandemic around the corner. But even when it hit, they didnโt let it halt them. In true entrepreneurial fashion, Rich and Greg knew they could figure out a way to weather the storm. They showed classic films, had costume nights, and made an event out of going to the movies.
[Rich: 9:11] โ[The pandemic] crystallized our belief that going to the movies has to be more than going to the film youโre going to see. It has to be an experience.โ
Leadership Is Deliberate
Both Greg and Rich recall their fathers as their first examples of leadership. For Greg, his father exemplified servant leadership. Rich remembers how his father brought him on business trips, which allowed Rich to see him in action as an entrepreneur and as a leader.
Rich and Greg reflect that their leadership styles have also been formed significantly by the poor examples of leadership they have encountered as well.
[Greg: 21:53] โI think that leadership is deliberate. I think thereโs a lot of people that have charismaโฆ and personalityโฆ but leadership takes deliberate effort and sometimes itโs contrary to yourโฆ nature.โ
Effective leaders have empathy for those they interact with โ and if leaders expect their team to be disciplined, they must lead by example.
Rely On Each Other
Greg and Rich have had their fair share of feeling stuck as leaders. Theyโve learned that the best way forward is to rely on each other for help. They admit itโs not always easy to be on the same page, but they stress that a certain level of tension in a relationship, whether itโs a business partnership or a friendship, is healthy.
[Rich: 26:26] โWhen values align and you have strengths professionally, thatโs where the magic happens.โ
Entrepreneurs constantly make mistakes. Itโs a condition for playing the game. Sometimes it can be difficult to accept that when youโre an entrepreneur, youโre in for a lifetime of mistakes. And thatโs ok.
[Greg: 28:43] โYou just have to accept your mistakes, realize youโre not perfect, and not beat yourself up at the same time. Be kind to yourself, and yet still realize the imperfection of your mistakes.โ
Rich believes that the best way to become a better leader is to intentionally study leadership, whether youโre currently in a leadership position or not. Youโre going to grow proportionally to the good leadership present in your organization โ and that starts with you.
Learn More:
- Warehouse Cinemas
- Richโs LinkedIn
- Gregโs LinkedIn
Also Mentioned In This Episode:
- Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman
- Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
