3 min read

12 For 12

Dec 1, 2017 6:30:00 AM

12 For 12 - FB.jpgExactly twelve years ago, around four o’clock in the afternoon, our Suburban came to a stop in front of Leighton Plaza, on Main Street in South Bend, Indiana. My wife had picked me up at Midway airport and driven me to South Bend. With the setting sun, it was already getting dark outside. I opened the door and a gust of cold wind swirled in. I put my foot down into the slushy mixture and looked up through the hazy sky at the Gibson offices on the fourth floor.

Only seven hours prior I had awoken to the blue skies and the radiant sun of Scottsdale, Arizona. After six years in the Southwest, we were returning to Indiana. I left behind great friends, a good career, and awesome co-workers based on a pitch from Dave Gibson and Greg Downes. At that moment, only one question was on my mind, “What did I just do?”

I won’t lie. Those first few years were a bigger challenge than I ever imagined. Beyond the job, it was the weather, cultural differences, and a lack of amenities we had become accustomed to in Scottsdale that contributed to our angst. I struggled mightily.

But now, twelve years later, older and (hopefully) a little wiser, I couldn’t be any happier. Thanks to my fellow employee-owners at Gibson, this version of me is a better co-worker, leader, father, and husband. I thought I’d share a dozen things I’ve learned over the last twelve years.

  1. Doing the right thing never, ever goes out of style.
  2. Have clarity on what matters most.
  3. It’s better together.
  4. Good is the enemy of great.
  5. There is no such thing as status quo.
  6. Your work family is nearly as important as your family at home.
  7. You can’t let a win go to your head or a loss to your heart.
  8. If you want something, be purposeful about it.
  9. Become big enough to matter but remain small enough to care.
  10. No one is bigger than the team.
  11. Keep dreaming.
  12. Own your future.


What’s The Risk?

As the great Lou Holtz often says, “The only thing that’s going to change you from where you are now to where you’ll be five years from now are the books you read, the people you meet, and the dreams you dream.” For the last 626 weeks of my life, I’ve had the honor and privilege of working alongside some of the top professionals in our industry. They’ve shared their books – literally and figuratively –and because of it, I’ve changed for the better. We’ve dreamed big, sometimes falling short, but always getting better in the process. Together.

The risk, to me, is being stuck in something Pat Lencioni has described as a “miserable job” where you’re unknown, irrelevant, and unable to measure the impact you’re having in an organization. I’ve been there and won’t ever be going back.

So, to my fellow employee-owners, I want to say thank you. And if you’ll have me, here’s to the next twelve!

Topics: Executive
Tim Leman

Written by Tim Leman

Tim is Chairman and CEO at Gibson. He joined Gibson in 2005 as the Director of the Employee Benefits Practice and became a principal in 2007. He was named President in 2009, CEO in 2011, and elected Chairman of the Board in 2014.

With Tim’s leadership, Gibson has been selected as a Best Places to Work in Indiana, named to Principal’s 10 Best list for employee financial security, maintained its status as a Reagan & Associates Best Practices Agency, recognized as one of 20 Indiana Companies To Watch, and named to the Inc. 5000 list. Read Tim's Full Bio