Zenith Search Partners

The most dangerous phrase in business might be:

"We've always done it that way."

Not because tradition is bad.

Some things should stay exactly the same.

But I've spent enough time in the chemical industry to know that customer expectations, technology, supply chains, and markets don't stand still for very long.

The companies that seem to navigate change the best aren't necessarily the biggest or the fastest.

They're usually the ones that stay curious.

They keep asking questions.

They challenge assumptions.

They pay attention when the market starts telling them something new.

A lot of successful businesses were built by people willing to do things differently.

It's worth remembering that from time to time.

What's something you were convinced would never change in your industry... that eventually did?

Every company has one.

The person everyone calls when something goes sideways.

A customer issue.

A delayed shipment.

A process that suddenly stopped working.

A question nobody can answer.

They're not always the owner.

They're not always the manager.

And they're often not the loudest person in the room.

But somehow, they know who to call, what to do, and how to keep things moving.

I've noticed that some of the most valuable people in an organization don't necessarily show up on an org chart. They show up when everyone else needs an answer.

If you're lucky enough to have one of those people on your team, make sure they know they're appreciated.

And if you happen to be that person, there's a good chance you're getting more phone calls than you deserve.

Who's the person everyone calls in your organization when things get interesting?

As we ease back into reality after Memorial Day weekend…

A few observations:

1. Nobody fully remembers what day it is yet.

2. “I’ll follow up after the holiday” has officially come due.

3. The inbox has somehow been both quiet and aggressive at the same time.

4. And despite all of that… some of the best ideas seem to happen during these slightly slower weeks.

Hope everyone had a meaningful holiday weekend. Whether it was spent reflecting, remembering, resting, or simply being around people you care about, I hope it was time well spent.