Jeff Gau
Where I First Learned To Be a Leader
I grew up in a small Central Minnesota town as the son of an auto parts salesman. We certainly weren’t wealthy, but I felt like I had everything. Growing up in rural Little Falls, I only have the fondest of memories of my childhood.
Employee Advisors: A New Idea for Employee Engagement
Imagine a diverse group of your employees coming together to talk “productively” about the issues you face and collaborating to come up with better ideas.
Not All Sales Revenue Is Equal
Growing up in a small town, I understand that a dollar is a dollar. You work hard for it and it is valued. But, in my past 16 years at the helm of Marco, growing the business and buying others, I have learned that not all sales revenue is equal. Some is actually better than other…
Increasing Your Presence
There are people who walk into a room and are naturally recognized as leaders. They seem to gain followers without even trying. They have a presence about them. Who do you know like that? Is it you?
What We Can Learn From The Minnesota Twins’ Turnaround
Why are the Minnesota Twins playing so well this year (so far) after having the worst record in baseball three years ago? They went from being one of the worst teams in history to busting one record after another, and are one of baseball’s best stories this year.
Initiators & Processors: Which Are You?
Initiators and processors are two different skill sets. You’re usually one more than the other. In every industry and every organization, there are initiating roles and there are processing roles. Which are you?
What Are You Overcomplicating?
The business world is moving at a fast pace with technical advancements emerging that we never thought possible a decade ago. Sometimes it feels like everything is changing and that we need to change, too.
Navigating Barriers
On a recent trip to New York, I learned the story about the MetLife North Building. Originally proposed as a 100-story-tower, MetLife sought to build the tallest skyscraper in the world in the 1920s. Then the Great Depression hit.
There are Dumb Questions
I remember in grade school teachers saying, “There is no such thing as a dumb question.” The comment was designed to combat fear and inspire participation. They prompted us to ask questions, rather than pretend we know.
A Tribute to a Friend
Last April, I wrote about a Leader Worth Following who retired after a long and successful sales career at Marco. Less than a month after retirement, Kevin Schwantz began a battle with cancer. In January, he shared that his time on earth would be limited.
