Leading through Stewardship: Humble Leadership Profile #5
“Leadership is about stewardship.”
That’s how Chris Bachinski, president of GHY International, describes his mindset a year ago going into his new role as the first non-family member to lead the 100-plus-year-old company. Charged with preserving GHY’s legacy while building a strong, resilient future, Chris clearly feels a deep, personal responsibility for safeguarding and growing the brand and its people.
“I was hired to care for the assets of the company,” he told me recently. “The brand, the people, the culture, the customers, the intellectual property — really, that’s what I was hired to do.”
Do you think about your work that way?
As I spoke with Chris and got to know more about him as a leader and as a person, I could see why GHY’s fourth-generation owner felt the company would be in good hands with Chris at the helm. I was also curious to find out more about how he does it. How does he remain humble while leading a company that manages more than $5 billion in international trade flowing across the Canada/US border? And how does he balance the need to get things done with the need to support those around him?
Here’s what I learned from my conversations with Chris and with Alan Dewar, GHY’s VP Client Services and Regulatory Affairs.
Lead from the back of the room
Alan describes Chris as a “back-of-the-room kind of leader,” explaining that he carries the ball just far enough to make sure you’re OK to pick it up and take it the rest of the way. In doing so, he empowers those around him to believe in themselves — and to stay true to who they are.
Commit to your leadership agenda
With competing priorities and pressures, a personal leadership agenda keeps you grounded. Chris refers to his regularly, reminding himself of his commitments to “look after the things that have been given to me but aren’t mine.”
Make stewardship a mental habit
During his morning walk-arounds and in monthly 1-1 meetings, Chris talks with each person not just about what they’re doing but also about how they’re doing. He continually asks himself, how can I support this person?
Take time out for self-reflection
Chris doesn’t just check in with others; he checks in with himself, too. It’s how he makes sure he’s living out who he wants to be and remaining intentional about the way he practices leadership. After all, he says, “it’s not just about what you’re doing, but who you are.”
Openness and accountability start with you
Leaders don’t have to be rock solid all the time, Chris says. In fact, when leaders show emotion, have weaknesses, or share struggles, they’ll find that people connect with them and appreciate them more. And when leaders are transparent about their own goals, assignments, and accomplishments, that spirit of personal accountability spreads to others as well.
Accept the gift of feedback
It takes a strong leader to take ownership when things go wrong or the team falls short of its goals. As Alan reveals, Chris takes feedback from anyone and admits where he needs to improve: “Every night he looks at what feedback has come in related to safety, well-being, work environment, and other things. He responds to everybody individually and in a way that shapes the philosophy of what everyone is working toward.”
This “back-of-the-room” leader has had a powerful impact on people like Alan, a 35-year-veteran of GHY, who says Chris brings humility and grace to every interaction. “I am overwhelmed at the depth, energy, and passion he brings to work each day.”
What have you been hired to care for? And how might you make stewardship part of your own personal leadership agenda?
Check out my interview with Chris to hear more about his humble leadership approach. Read more Humble Leadership profiles here.
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