Jeff Bezos from Amazon and Steve Jobs from Apple spring to mind as two charismatic chief executives who lead (and led) their companies from the tip of the vanguard.
Locally Mainfreight, managed by long-standing chief executive Don Braid, with founder Bruce Plested as chairman, is another great example of how a founder-led company has outperformed.
Some of the key initiatives that have helped Mainfreight be so successful over the years include a family culture, giving all employees a share of the profit and encouraging their employees to be all they can be.
Mainfreight drivers are encouraged to help other motorists where they can. This conscientious behaviour works and combined with all the other measures has seen
Mainfreight grow substantially over the last 20 years as a listed company, where it now has a market cap of over $2 billion, 6500 employees in 239 locations at last check.
Shareholders have been handsomely rewarded in that time with a total return since its IPO of more than 2400 per cent.
Point of difference
Think of a company you've had dealings with, where their employee goes the extra mile.
It makes a huge difference, right? Well, usually that culture is led from the top down.
I call it 'the founder's touch' - you know when it's there and you sure know when it's not.
Attributes I have observed of founders leading successful companies include:
• Relentless persistence
• Personal investment (money on the line)
• Long-term thinking
• Innovation
• Ability to inspire employee loyalty
• Passion
• Commitment to superior client experience
• Pride
However, let's not forget that plenty of founder-led companies do fail.
But typically, it's because their leaders lack these key attitudes, behaviours, and skills.
Mike Taylor is the chief executive of Pie Funds
