In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how J. Harold Hatchett III, the President and CEO of Tier One Property Services, LLC, embarked on his path to success in the world of property services. Join us as Harold shares his experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided him along the way. Discover what sets Tier One Property Services apart from other companies, how Harold navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by Harold’s journey as a CEO and his relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of property services.
Leadership Qualities Contributing to Success
Harold attributes his success as a leader to a combination of inspiring demeanor, excellent communication, and good listening skills. He emphasizes the importance of being a team builder, a strategic thinker, and a problem solver. Additionally, Harold believes in being a consensus builder and an effective conflict resolver. These qualities have enabled him to lead Tier One Property Services with a clear vision and a collaborative approach.
Key Trends and Challenges in the Industry
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, Harold identifies several key trends and challenges in the property services industry. Labor shortages and material wage increases are prominent concerns, coupled with the impact of inflation. Embracing appropriate technology, particularly robotics, and reducing turnover rates are also crucial. Despite the industry average turnover rate being 300%, Tier One has managed to keep it under 70%, a testament to their effective strategies.
Preparing for the Changing Landscape
To adapt and thrive in the evolving industry landscape, Harold is focused on taking on projects with experienced staff and offering market-competitive wages to reduce turnover. Investing in training programs and prioritizing workplace safety are also top priorities, with Tier One being recognized as world-class based on their OSHA safety record. Furthermore, Harold is keen on leveraging innovative technology and increasing customer engagement.
Overcoming Major Obstacles
Harold’s approach to overcoming major obstacles involves identifying the root cause of issues, resolving them quickly, and implementing corrective measures to prevent recurrence. He believes in sharing lessons learned with other sites across the country and providing necessary training when warranted. This proactive and transparent approach has helped Tier One navigate challenges effectively.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
Innovation is at the heart of Harold’s leadership. He actively encourages thoughts and ideas from his team, incentivizing and rewarding staff for implemented suggestions. Staying informed about industry trends and competitor activities, as well as hosting innovation workshops, are integral to fostering a culture of innovation within the organization.
Resources and Learning Experiences Impacting Leadership Style
Effective communication of the company’s vision and direction is a cornerstone of Harold’s leadership style. He conducts “fire-side” chats to share information and encourage dialogue with staff. By asking pointed questions, he gathers valuable insights to assist in decision-making and encourages staff to disclose issues promptly, even if it involves personal errors.
Building and Nurturing a Strong Team
Harold believes in building trust both ways and hiring smart, self-driven individuals. Encouraging teamwork and effectively sharing both wins and setbacks are crucial to nurturing a strong team. He emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation to build on and fostering a collaborative environment where success is a collective goal.
Incorporating Social and Environmental Responsibility
Social and environmental responsibility are integral to Tier One’s business practices. Harold ensures the company demonstrates core values of safety, excellence, transparency, innovation, inclusion, and ethics daily. Engaging with companies for sustainable development training, leveraging equipment to reduce carbon footprint, and utilizing green chemicals are some of the measures taken to uphold these responsibilities.
Importance of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is vital for Tier One’s growth strategy. Harold believes it will drive efficiency in processes, resulting in cost savings and improved profitability. To spearhead this initiative, the company has hired a dedicated resource to manage their digital transformation program, underscoring its importance in their future plans.
Essential Skills and Qualities for Business Success
Harold outlines several essential skills and qualities for success in the business world, including honesty, building strong relationships, consistency, and a positive attitude. He emphasizes the importance of playing to win every day, striving for excellence, trusting the team, encouraging diverse paths to success, and celebrating achievements.
Reasons to Follow Harold’s Leadership Journey
Harold’s leadership approach is tried and tested, yielding quality results. He leads by example, not asking anyone to do something he wouldn’t do himself. Harold gives credit to others for their contributions and treats people fairly and with respect. These principles make his leadership journey one to watch in 2024 and beyond.
Influencing the Business Landscape in the Future
Harold envisions continuing to influence the business landscape through innovation, creativity, coaching, and mentoring. He aims to help others reach their personal goals and objectives by leading by example. Hiring talented individuals and placing them in roles suited to their skills will remain a priority to ensure success.
Significant Achievements and Milestones
Among Harold’s most significant achievements is marrying his wife Charlease, who has been his partner throughout his business career. He delivered a commencement address at his alma mater, sharing his business and personal accomplishments to inspire graduates. Achieving the position of corporate vice president at a major global company before age 30 and witnessing the success of his mentees advancing to the C-suite are notable milestones. Sharing knowledge with his executive committee to accelerate Tier One’s phenomenal growth is also a point of pride.
Personal Interests and Additional Highlights
Outside of his professional life, Harold enjoys basketball and golf. He loves traveling with his wife and two adult children, Arianna and James IV. Additionally, Harold serves as a deacon at his church, reflecting his commitment to community and personal values.
In conclusion, J. Harold Hatchett III’s journey as the President and CEO of Tier One Property Services, LLC, is a testament to his inspiring leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to innovation and excellence. His ability to navigate industry challenges, foster a culture of innovation, and build a strong, dedicated team has set Tier One apart in the competitive property services landscape. Harold’s personal values, professional achievements, and dedication to social and environmental responsibility further underscore his influence and success. His story is one of perseverance, integrity, and continuous growth, making him a leader to watch in 2024 and beyond.
