There's the old saying, "leadership is earned and not given." And how is leadership earned? There's another old teaching (Biblical) "Whoever would become a leader, let him be a servant" That sounds like a paradox. and as a business principle, it just wouldn't work... "You'd be eaten alive in the dog-eat-dog business world." But this is a principle that Walker Manufacturing was founded on and is trying to follow.
Let me explain. In free enterprise, no one has to do business with our company. Our suppliers don't have to sell us components, the factory employees don't have to work here. Our distributors and dealers don't have to sell our products and our customers don't have to buy them. It's all voluntary. A leader doesn't have much to lead if no one is willing to follow. How successful a company becomes (and the leadership position it attains) hinges on the people who choose to entrust themselves to and associate with the company and its products. Because it is voluntary, this choosing is largely based on how well the company serves the interest of others. What we find is in serving others, we indirectly help ourselves. And due to the trust placed with our company, leadership is attained. It's amazing how strong business relationships become when they're not forced and when the basis of conduct is looking after the other party's interests as well as your own.
Does this sound weak? It isn't. We are working to be a leader and strong competitor in the commercial mowing equipment business. We are both energetic and excited about producing a product that serves our customers and about operating the business in the spirit of being a servant-leader.
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