|
Andy ArmstrongBusiness Leader, Coach, Mentor, Writer, Builder, Baker
|
I have been very humbled to have a long list of current and past employees who validate a long enduring principle of my personal mission: I always remember that the rewards of grace through helping others achieve are far richer than achieving alone.
Following the simple personal goal of finding and sharing grace with others through leadership has not only served to help my teams achieve incredible things, but it has also taught me the power of grace in the workplace and by extension, in life. Like so many, I first learned of grace and its power through my parents, my extended family, and my community. I grew up in a small town in Central Illinois and enjoyed all that small towns offer. I then headed to Washington University in St. Louis to study electrical engineering and play football. During my time at WU I was selected as president for the Junior Leadership Honorary. It was there I learned that managing other leaders was much easier with an abundance of grace.
From college, I started a career in sales and marketing and stumbled into what became my career home in the HVAC industry, starting with a small midwestern distributor. It was in this sales role that I completed my MBA at Bradley University. Lessons from my MBA and from my contractor customers taught me great deal about small business and the challenges it entails. From distribution, I moved to a manufacturer, serving in a series of sales-and-marketing leadership roles for York/Johnson Controls (JCI). Working for a manufacturer rounded my knowledge of the industry and opened my eyes to the management opportunities and challenges in a multi-billion-dollar corporation.
After JCI, I was honored to serve as VP of sales and marketing with global giant Fujitsu General. I was still in HVAC, but now working for a Japanese company further expanded my understanding and appreciation of business and cultural challenges. Most recently, to better support our family, my wife Liz and I moved back to the Chicago area where I am again in the HVAC distribution business.
Serving as President/GM of a Chicagoland HVAC distributor, I continue to learn, every day, about the importance of grace in how I approach my role, my team, my customers, and my channel partners.
Of the many lessons I’ve learned over the years about grace, the most frequent contributor has been my wife of over 30 years, Liz. More importantly, with her love and support and that of our two grown kids, Sloan and Megan, I’ve been blessed with a strong foundation on which to build my professional and personal growth.
The great support at home and all my experience have taught me much about how the presence of grace can change almost every experience and exchange. In this book, Joe and Steph serve as fictional expressions of much of what I’ve experienced in my journey. Joe learns some of the challenging lessons that I and others have plodded through. Business leader Steph is a conglomeration of so many wonderful people that have had the courage to share grace with me in so many ways. I hope that their story will help you find and share grace as you navigate your journey.
Cheers,
Andy
Following the simple personal goal of finding and sharing grace with others through leadership has not only served to help my teams achieve incredible things, but it has also taught me the power of grace in the workplace and by extension, in life. Like so many, I first learned of grace and its power through my parents, my extended family, and my community. I grew up in a small town in Central Illinois and enjoyed all that small towns offer. I then headed to Washington University in St. Louis to study electrical engineering and play football. During my time at WU I was selected as president for the Junior Leadership Honorary. It was there I learned that managing other leaders was much easier with an abundance of grace.
From college, I started a career in sales and marketing and stumbled into what became my career home in the HVAC industry, starting with a small midwestern distributor. It was in this sales role that I completed my MBA at Bradley University. Lessons from my MBA and from my contractor customers taught me great deal about small business and the challenges it entails. From distribution, I moved to a manufacturer, serving in a series of sales-and-marketing leadership roles for York/Johnson Controls (JCI). Working for a manufacturer rounded my knowledge of the industry and opened my eyes to the management opportunities and challenges in a multi-billion-dollar corporation.
After JCI, I was honored to serve as VP of sales and marketing with global giant Fujitsu General. I was still in HVAC, but now working for a Japanese company further expanded my understanding and appreciation of business and cultural challenges. Most recently, to better support our family, my wife Liz and I moved back to the Chicago area where I am again in the HVAC distribution business.
Serving as President/GM of a Chicagoland HVAC distributor, I continue to learn, every day, about the importance of grace in how I approach my role, my team, my customers, and my channel partners.
Of the many lessons I’ve learned over the years about grace, the most frequent contributor has been my wife of over 30 years, Liz. More importantly, with her love and support and that of our two grown kids, Sloan and Megan, I’ve been blessed with a strong foundation on which to build my professional and personal growth.
The great support at home and all my experience have taught me much about how the presence of grace can change almost every experience and exchange. In this book, Joe and Steph serve as fictional expressions of much of what I’ve experienced in my journey. Joe learns some of the challenging lessons that I and others have plodded through. Business leader Steph is a conglomeration of so many wonderful people that have had the courage to share grace with me in so many ways. I hope that their story will help you find and share grace as you navigate your journey.
Cheers,
Andy