Leadership is not about holding a position or title — anyone can become a great leader. For an HVAC and plumbing business to truly thrive, it needs a leader who can improve the company’s direction and its employees through a position of influence and not necessarily from a position of authority. Throughout my career, many different leaders have guided me, and these experiences have greatly shaped my understanding of what it takes to lead an organization. 

Inspired and based on Simon Sinek's theory of great leadership, these are the seven characteristics for anybody who wants to be a successful leader in the HVAC and plumbing industry. 

1.    Make the Choice to Help Others Get What They Want in Life

The first step to becoming a great leader is for you to decide to look after the person on your left and your right. Great leaders prioritize looking out for others because they know that people are the foundation of the success of any organization. Importantly, when leaders look out for and advocate for their employees, this fosters a sense of trust that encourages others to do the same. Great leaders put everyone else’s best interests before their own, and they make it their No.1  priority.

2.    Take Responsibility for Failures

A great leader will accept 100% responsibility for their failures and everyone else’s. They take responsibility for when the team loses or faces any adversity. Leaders who consistently hold themselves accountable for both good and bad moments demonstrate a commitment to the team and the organization, serving as a reminder that accountability plays a vital role in the success of any company.

3.    Learn to Ask for Help

Nobody can do anything alone, and we all need support from others. However, none of us are mind readers, which is why a great leader knows how and when to ask for help. This skill recognizes that a leader does not have all the answers and enables them to uplift themselves and others up by seeking support to fill the needed gaps. This also creates a culture of raising self-esteem and confidence because people feel better about themselves when they help someone. You might have recognized that these seven steps are in order for you to transform yourself. You must learn to help others (step one) before you ask for help because if you have not done step one first, the help you get may not come from the best intentions (reciprocity).

4.    Speak Last and Find Solutions Through Asking Questions

Anybody can walk into a room and say here's the problem, with predetermined solutions on how to fix it. Most people probably will  agree with your solution, but by then, you have already limited other solutions that could be just as or even more effective. Learning to speak creates an environment where everyone can be heard, fostering a culture that encourages others to share their opinions and solutions willingly. 

5.    Never Accept Credit for Wins

Leaders are often given credit for a company’s wins. However, a great leader will never accept all the credit because they know that the contributions of their peers and coworkers are also  significant. You must learn to humble yourself. Attributing credit to others effectively motivates them to put in extra effort, as it assures them that someone acknowledges their contributions. As a result, if they win, you win. 

6.    Cultivate a Positive Workplace Culture

It’s estimated that the average adult living in the United States will spend 90,000 hours — or one-third of their lives — at work. Everybody deserves to enjoy their job, and a company’s workplace culture is integral to employee fulfillment. Teams with leaders who truly invest in their employees have higher engagement, belonging, mastery, and fulfillment levels during their time at work. Moreover, with the honed skills necessary for HVAC and plumbing professionals, a positive company culture will help these organizations retain their highly skilled employees and continue exceeding customer needs. 

7.    Paint the Vision

Knowing where you are going is essential to how you will get there. When leaders paint their vision in a way that everybody can see, they can guide their employees toward a common goal and create a sense of purpose in their work. Especially with the constantly evolving nature of the HVAC and plumbing industry, from technology improvements to changes in business models, a tangible direction is the best way to keep employees engaged and united around a common goal. In simple terms, everyone wants to play a significant role in something greater than themselves, and it is your job to help them see the future.

By working to develop these seven traits, anybody can be an impactful HVAC or plumbing leader and drive others toward success. Leadership is not an inherent quality that only some people possess but rather a set of skills that inspire others to work hard and make a difference in others’ lives. 

Scott Brinkley is Senior Vice President of Operations at Redwood Services, a home services firm focused on investing in leading residential HVAC, plumbing and electrical services companies in growing U.S. markets. Contact Scott at scott@redwoodservices.com.