It’s an interesting feeling when you’re asked to contribute to a publication you’ve grown up reading, respecting and appreciating. First, you feel flattered. You’re almost on a happy high. I mean, hey, someone thinks highly enough of me to want to hear what I think and share it with a broader group of industry pros and peers? Yes … yes … now I think … yep, I think I made it! 

Then the actual due date for content comes, and there it is — the feeling of humility. “Holy crap, I need to have something ready that is worthy of people’s time!” Pride and humility can be the “weights of justice” keeping us level. Don’t have too much of either, and make sure that no matter what, you add in a healthy dose of gratitude. I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I will do my best to make sure you enjoy this read and get value from it. 

When it comes to life, I know one thing for certain: rock-solid core values can be the compass guiding you in every major decision. This goes for business, leadership and career development, to being a husband or wife, community member, parishioner, friend, family member — about every role you could take on. If you have your values in line and do not waiver from them, you will always come out OK. I’ll take this further and focus on the business connection in our time together. 

Be Authentic

When I was an employee in the company I now have the responsibility of co-owning and running, I quickly learned that people can see what’s real and what’s not. At every level, from the shop floor to the conference room, people know the difference between authentic character and those who might change their tune to fit the situation. 

I could quickly see that if I was going to build a team that would consider following me, I needed to make sure that who I was, what I did, how I talked and what I believed were all connected. Metaphorically, if all these things were peas, they would be in the same pod. I had to ensure that what I believed and how I lived was worth staking my reputation on, no matter what or who I was with. 

For me, that reputation starts with my relationship with God and my ability to be trusted. Faith and integrity, if you will. 

Now, integrity is a word that shows up a lot in our business lives. It’s on mission statements and websites, in core value signs on walls, and a common “trait” in interviews and resumes. 

Faith, however, is not as common. I talk to a lot of people through business, and many of them possess some form of active faith-life or faith-belief. When I speak to them, I often hear how “refreshing” it is to see how my company is so outward in our faith in God. 

It’s here where I need to internally pause and ask: If your values are important to you, could it be an advantage to bring them to all you do? Not only in raising children, or what you read, or where you go on Sunday, but also in your whole, full, professional self? 

Now for me, this comes pretty easy. I am, and have always been, unapologetic about who I am. Ask my wife, and she’ll confirm that even my son has taken hold of this unapologetic stance. Yes, I am a Catholic. Yes, I’m a patriot, and I think America is the greatest country on God’s green earth. Yes, I am a capitalist, and I make no apologies for it. 

And because of these things — not in spite of them but because of them — I have been able to steward a culture, enhance a vision and grow my family business by more than 105 percent in three short years. You see, when you bring your whole, genuine and authentic self to your profession each day, you can create an environment where people around you can be their authentic selves. 

Be Inspiring 

When this happens, you can attract more people who also fit with that culture, and you equally begin to repel those who might not. It’s a beautiful win-win scenario. So why doesn’t this happen at every company? 

That’s a question I don’t know the answer to, and it probably isn’t my place to guess. What I know for sure is if you want to be one of the reasons that the company you work at has a robust and genuine culture, you must be willing and able to talk about what is important to you. And if you happen to be in a leadership position, it’s imperative that you talk about what you believe in and you walk that talk with an unwavering commitment. 

That’s the path to creating inspiration for those around you. It’s not always an easy thing to do. It takes guts, courage and a willingness to be vulnerable. Isn’t your reputation worth that? If you’re a team member in your company, isn’t the benefit of a rock-solid culture worth it? If you’re a leader, aren’t those you are responsible for leading worth it? And if you are a business owner, isn’t your company and the legacy that both you and it leave worth it?

Leadership is not about doing what’s easy; it’s the chance to do the hard things that can create the big wins. For me, talking about God and the benefits my relationship with Him provides me is only one way we create a winning team, one filled with aligned people who love what we do and why we do it. 

It’s one way I can rest my head and, ultimately, my soul, knowing that I put it all out there to make a difference and hopefully leave a legacy that my wife and kids can always be proud of me for. Know what you believe, talk about it often and make sure that what you do speaks so loudly that people don’t always need to hear what you say. Live and lead boldly, and God bless this fantastic industry. 

Nick Porter is the CEO, owner and partner of Porter Pipe & Supply Co., and the president, founder and partner of Bulldog Cartage.