BUSINESS EDU I get asked A LOT how I deal with all the stress that must come with owning Aggressor Adventures, particularly since it’s a global enterprise that oper- ates 24/7. My answer might seem over- simplified, but I have always tried to approach it with the attitude that there are never problems, only opportunities. Adopting this lead- ership style is important for those at the top, but it’s just as important for everyone owning or running a business, be- cause it sets an example that stressing over an issue never solves it. Hysteria is contagious. So is an attitude of calm. I always focus on what we must do to resolve a particular issue. Once that’s done, I step back and review the entire event
Turning Problems into Opportunities – by Wayne B. Brown, author “From Rags to Enrichment” & CEO, Aggressor Adventures
Of course, “off” is a misnomer. With worldwide internet and cell connectivity, an entrepreneur is never truly “off” work. I don’t view this as a negative. I think it’s in the DNA of entrepreneurs and leaders to want to keep their finger on the pulse of the business. I feel grateful that my wife, Dana, un- derstands this and is always supportive of my business check- ins, whether by email or phone, even when we are on vacation. Once, on a motorhome trip, we stopped in a small town just to wander the streets and duck into the local shops. Upon en- tering a shop, my cell phone rang and I saw it was a business call. I answered and motioned to Dana that I’d be outside. As I headed for the door, the shop owner commented to Dana that maybe I needed to learn to take a break from my busi- ness. Dana, without hesitation, said, “He is making us money, leave him alone.”
with my team. I always ask two questions: how did it happen, and what can we do in the future to pre- vent it from occurring again? The goal is to learn from the situation, make changes and improve- ments where they’re needed, and then move on to the larger goal of continuing to grow the business. Of course, there are days when I cannot believe how many “opportunities” happen all at once! Every business owner’s brain needs a break from the 24/7 hamster wheel of managing daily tasks
Most of my business’s worldwide adventures begin and end on a Saturday, so that’s also when the likeli- hood of problems arising is greatest. While I have an amazing, dedicated team in place to resolve issues, there are plenty of Saturdays when I get a call from a member of my operations team, alerting me to an issue or asking for guidance. If they’re calling me, I know it’s because they need my help. I never sigh or think, “Well, shit, there goes my Saturday,” before an-
Wayne’s New Book
swering. And I sure as hell don’t get angry about them calling me. They’re doing the right thing by reaching out. If they’re calling me, it means I have an opportunity to help serve our guests and make sure they enjoy the adventure they paid for.
and churning out new ideas. Some people might “veg out” by binge-watching a Netflix series or lounging by a pool or at the beach. That kind of relaxation—lying still and not moving— would feel like torture to me. I need to keep active in order to clear my mind. For a recharge, I turn to personal projects like working on our motorhome or clearing land and building a fence on our property. Any project that gets me moving and requires 100 percent of my focus is like a reset button that will help me clear my mind. When I return to the office after these projects, I feel as refreshed as taking an entire week off.
Having the right mindset allows business own- ers and leaders to deal with everything big and small that comes with the territory. Focusing on the opportunity to enhance your business model is the only way to ensure success for you…and your customers.
email Wayne
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