A CONVERSATION WITH RICH MCKAY
What does your day-to-day process look like?
My day-to-day process starts with coffee—a lot of it, probably more than I should be drinking. Then I try to get a run in. If I can’t, I’ll walk. Either way, I have to exercise. It’s my time to rethink the day.
Part of the reason I value that time comes from a piece of advice a lawyer friend gave me when I was a kid. He said, “At some point, you need alone time, and it can’t be sitting in the office doing nothing—because if you are, people will think that’s all you’re doing.”
What is the most important character trait of a good leader?
The word “authenticity” is often misused in many ways. But I think the idea of showing up as your authentic self, whoever you are, is important. People see you in all situations—stressful, good, and great. But if you’re different in each of those moments because you’re trying to play a role, I’m not sure that’s a leadership trait I value.
What accomplishment are you particularly proud of?
The accomplishments I’m most proud of are the people who work for us, who come up through the funnel and go on to be incredibly successful. You have to be intentional as a leader. Give those people opportunities, put them in positions to grow, and watch them succeed.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Tony Dungy, who is one of my top 3 people of all time, gave me some advice. He said “Remember to focus on today, don’t worry about tomorrow, dream about the future.” That has stayed with me ever since. I think people spend too many hours worrying about what their next job or project will be and how they will be viewed. Just do really well at what you’re doing today, because guess what—tomorrow they will give you more to do, and you will progress.
