Why doing the right thing is the best thing for business. Spoiler alert: It’s the people.

“Our people are our greatest asset” may sound like a business cliché, but helping others grow is a proven path to success.

Every month, AmeriTex honors a team member at our Conroe and Seguin locations with our Crushing It Award. It’s our way of putting a spotlight on members of our team who consistently step up with a positive attitude, commitment to excellence and strong work ethic. When we announce the recipients every month, we always include a few interesting facts about each individual; it’s a fun way for us to get to know our co-workers better.

Another honor I recently participated in was the American Concrete Pipe Association’s Texas Legislative Fly-In. The opportunity to meet with Senator Creighton and other Representatives and Senators at the state capital to discuss the infrastructure of Texas was truly a privilege. We believe working together with other members of our business community strengthens the entire industry.

Why am I telling you about these two seemingly unrelated things? Well, I believe they both help push our business forward. Neither one of them has a direct impact on our bottom line, but they do point to the heart of how we work. “Company culture” is a term that tends to get thrown around in job interviews, but isn’t really used in day-to-day operations. However, how you treat people affects every aspect of your company and your success.

Here at AmeriTex, we just call it “doing the right thing.” It turns out that a lot of research backs up our gut feeling. The official name for the philosophy that aligns with how we do business is “servant leadership.” It’s the idea that leaders exist to serve the people for the good of the group instead of the traditional notion that people serve their leader for the sake of power or privilege.

There are a few key principles of servant leadership that have shaped our position as the premier provider of reinforced concrete pipe and box culverts in the state of Texas.

1. Act with integrity and trust.

You can’t cut corners. And when you make a promise, you keep it. Sounds simple, but your actions have to match your words. Start from the belief that everyone shows up to do their best work with positive intentions. Trust is more powerful when it is given instead of holding someone in doubt until they earn it. Respect is a two-way street.

2. Empower everyone.

Helping people realize their potential is an obligation of every great company and leader. Encouraging the growth and development of every individual on your team makes the entire organization stronger. Our job as leaders is to help every team member understand how they fit and why they matter. Every single member of your team makes an important contribution to the company, so make sure they understand how their performance impacts the overall goals of the company. Don’t just tell people what to do … show them. Model the behavior and quality that you want to see. And if you really want to be more effective, try listening instead of talking. Ask people for their input, or if they have any ideas on how to do the job better. And implement what you hear. Even the willingness to try something new as a test will make people feel invested in the success of the business. Recognize accomplishments and initiative. Remember that micromanaging is the worst form of thinking small.

3. Build up your community.

It works better when we work together. Satisfaction increases when people are part of a team working toward a shared vision. Treat everyone equally and recognize collaboration. Teams thrive when everyone supports one another. This attitude should extend beyond your own walls. Your suppliers, your customers — and even your competitors — are all on the same side; they all want your industry to be successful. When we work for the greater good, everyone benefits.

By helping others perform at their best, everyone gets better. That’s how we’ve revolutionized the way that concrete pipe is made. We’re able to deliver a superior product every time, because our people are invested in our high level of quality control at every stage of the manufacturing process. Our people truly are our greatest asset.

I invite you to read more about how we do business, or contact us to learn how we can exceed your expectations.

Focused on your success, Rocky

Rocky Lorenz is Chief Operating Officer at AmeriTex Pipe & Products. With over 13 years of industry experience, his technical and logistical knowledge has helped him earn a reputation for completing projects ahead of schedule and under budget.