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When I first took on this role as president and CEO of the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2020 I met this new challenge with trepidation and exhilaration.
During the interview process, I mentioned to the search committee that I had zero legislative experience, that I didn't understand the lobbying world, and that I disliked politics. Not knowing how important advocacy was to a regional chamber whose tagline is: "Lead, Convene and Influence," it's a wonder I wasn't instantly dismissed from the interview process.
I also said that, if chosen, I would run the Chamber like a small business – growing steadily by bootstrapping our way to increased engagement, membership value, and revenue.
I am so glad that I was ultimately asked to serve as the Chamber's leader. One of the first initiatives I undertook was to interview our long-time champions of the chamber and pillars of our community, including Arthur Newell, Brandon Fugal, Mayor Michelle Kaufusi, Scott Barlow, Bill Hulterstrom, Janae Moss and many more.
From the experience of interviewing CEOs, CMOs, directors and managers has come wisdom that has impressed me to assemble 10 common themes, which I call: "Principles of Prosperity." I submit that these principles, if followed, will continue to build on big dreams, shape a dynamic business environment, and promote a skilled workforce in Utah County for generations to come.
For some, these principles may seem routine and too fundamental to be effective in today's business environment. For me, they are priceless gems – guideposts – to ensure generational prosperity for the valley, state and nation.
Principle #1: chop wood, carry water
The first principle is Chop Wood, Carry Water, which comes from a Zen proverb. When applied in modern business terms, it focuses on work, meritocracy, and business environment.
The saying Chop Wood, Carry Water is a shortened version of the complete Zen Buddhist proverb which says "Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water." As is consistent with many other proverbs in the Zen tradition, the point of the proverb is not to discover the answer, but to provoke introspection and thought.
When applied to the right environment, the stone had the power to split trees. This demonstrates the impact of remaining focused, steady in resolve, and consistent when performing daily habits that can later transform your teams, your business, and your shareholders to the highest levels of execution and success.
The moral of the principle to Chop Wood, Carry Water is that n the face of adversity, what may often seem routine and fundamental may just be the polish that leads to meaningful, transformative opportunities to growth and prosperity.
The spirit of the proverb is to be intentional, consistent, and reliable. To do the hard work now. To remain true to fundamentals and honor commitments made to yourself and those you mentor and guide. When we do the hard work first, things become easier later, and dreams come into focus. I tell my sons and others I mentor to do the "Hard-Easy", a saying my mentor told me; and this advice has never failed.
A second analogy to demonstrate this principle comes from a small smooth stone found on Second Beach in Washington State. By some method, this stone found its way into a small crevice in a felled tree on the beach. It received pressure from external forces that pushed it farther into the crevice and the trunk began to split.
Eventually, the split went the entire length of the tree causing it to divide and splinter. While the stone itself weathered many storms, it remained positioned in its environment and steady in its resolve. Without any fanfare or glamor, the rock was present and performed the work day in and day out. Then one day, it had the power to split a tree.
In the coming weeks, I will share this curated list of principles from the interviews conducted over the past two years and counting.
These principles include:
- Spend less than you earn (financial management, affordable housing
- Measure twice, cut once (think, plan, test, measure, accountability)
- Give more than you take (Law of Giving, relationships, preserve natural resources)
- Empowerment, not entitlement (innovation empowers, avoid entitlement practices, big government)
- Pay it forward (educate, cultivate, and equip the next generation workforce: workforce dev)
- Give a hand up, not a handout
- Leave it better than you found it
- Welcome everyone (Celebrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging)
- Being a role model matters.
My hope is that these principles will serve as a reminder and an awakening for old and new businesses expanding in our community; and that their application will help build a strong business foundation, a skilled workforce, and a thriving economy in Utah County.
