Current News

September 2021 was highlighted by two events in my life. My parents sold their home on Lake Ida, and my granddaughter, Amelia, came to Lincoln and stayed for 17 days. The fact they happened at the same time made me reflect on my childhood. Like everybody else in the...

A few weeks ago, I filled up with gas before driving roughly 60 miles to the Omaha airport. After my trip, I drove home. The next day I drove 20 miles to work and back. The following day I drove 370 miles to Willmar for meetings. When I was 38 miles from the office,...

When I was in elementary school and junior high, our family lived on a few acres north of Willmar, Minnesota.  The entire property was full of trees.  (That’s right, I am so old I lived in a world before middle schools were invented). Next door to our house was a...

At Willmar Electric, our purpose statement is "People Making a Difference for People." My last blog was about a friend who mentored a coworker to help them advance professionally, only to be left feeling unappreciated a few months later when the mentee moved on from...

At Willmar Electric, our purpose statement is “People Making a Difference for People.” I recently had a friend go out of her way to help a fellow coworker advance within her career. The following story drove the home point of the critical role a difference-maker plays...

At Willmar Electric our VP of Operations, Steve Gardner, is a retired Army veteran.  Most people who know Steve are aware of his service to our great nation. He is proud of his service to our country, but it doesn’t seem to be his identity.  He neither sits around...

Our company is 101 years old. We have had a lot of great events and key dates in our 101 years.   Often, I post about those critical days. I have highlighted the birthdays of past owners. I have pointed out awards we have received and projects we were awarded.   But...

Our family just went on a vacation to Alaska. (Well, 7 of the 8 of us did. The 4-month-old granddaughter stayed back with her other Grandma.) The trip could be summarized in two ways. I think I will just sit here and wait. If you have been out to eat at a sit-down...

Last month I blogged about productive confrontation from a class we developed at Willmar Electric. I outlined a five-step process.   This is the fifth and last installment. If your job is to manage people and help them grow professionally, you need to give them...

Last month I blogged about the five-step process for productive confrontation. I have already outlined the first three steps of trust, respect, and self-awareness.  Step four is keeping your focus. If your job is to manage or lead people and help them grow...