By Marion Mann | Guest Contributor | Senior marketing manager, Greenville Chamber
Leighton Cubbage on goals, integrity and looking the part
Event: The Greenville Chamber’s Friday Forum Series
When: Feb. 28, 2014
Where: Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Conference Center
Feature Presentation: “21 Habits to Win” with Leighton Cubbage
Who was there: 200+ members of Greenville’s business community
Sponsor: TLC Accounting and Tax Inc.
Leighton M. Cubbage is cofounder and chairman of the board of Serrus Capital Partners, a real estate investment company headquartered in Greenville. His entrepreneurial background is steeped in the telecom industry, where he also cofounded Serrus Telecom Investments. Cubbage has served on boards in the automotive, banking and health care industries, including two terms as chairman of the Greenville Health System, the largest health care organization in S.C.
Cubbage was a star linebacker at his high school in Sumter, but that glory didn’t necessarily follow him to the field at Clemson. Instead, he started delivering pizzas. That led to owning pizza shops, and the rest is an entrepreneurial journey through many failures and more successes. When asked what success looks like to him, he noted that it has looked different to him in many stages of his life, but that now, “success is significance. What are you doing to help people?”
Currently, Cubbage works to help entrepreneurs with their goals through the Successful Entrepreneurship Lecture Series. Here are just a few of his “21 Habits to Win.”
Make the Decision to Do It
The first and hardest step is to make the decision to do it. Once you do this, share that decision with positive people, and get away from negative thoughts and influences. When he told his dad he was quitting the Clemson football team, his father said, “You’re my horse [even] if you never win a race.” Cubbage attributes much of his success to this unconditional love.
Work on Yourself
Cubbage notes the need to “explode your mind with books, seminars and great people.” He pointed out his mother-in-law in the audience who, he said, has many nice things, but when asked what her most valuable possession is, always says it’s her library. According to Cubbage, “Many people get their diploma and think they’re done, but that’s when it’s go time!”
Dreams Written Down and Dated Are Goals
Cubbage cites the need to know what you want to do, and that “if you don’t have goals, you’re going to work for someone who does.” The same goes for managing your time: “If you don’t, someone else will.”
Solve Needs
Need satisfaction is critical. Passion for what you do is great, but it’s not a business model unless you’re creating an enterprise that meets other people’s needs. If you can help people with their goals, your goals will be exceeded.
Work With the Right People
Work with people who are talented, fun, have integrity, and that you like as friends, Cubbage advised. “I’m better when I’m with people I want to be with,” he said, stressing the need to treat people with kindness, love and respect.
Absolute Integrity Is Everything
“Never say anything that isn’t true,” Cubbage said, “because your name is worth more than gold and silver.”
Dress, Act and Prepare Professionally
Cubbage noted the importance of looking the part. “If you’re buying, you can wear flip-flops,” he said, “but if you’re selling, you better look like the bank.”
Get Right With God… and Technology
Cubbage stressed the need to take spiritual steps forward as part of a holistic approach to a fulfilling life, including loving and nurturing people. And technology isn’t going anywhere, so embracing it is critical to success, he said.
According to Steve Bailey, the Chamber’s vice-chair of small business, after the presentation, “Doesn’t everybody feel like Leighton is their friend now?” We did, and so appreciate the encouraging words from such a kind and significant person.
[break]
The Greenville Chamber’s Friday Forum Series, held the fourth Friday of each month, is designed to help business professionals connect, learn and grow with networking opportunities and educational presentations.
The next Friday Forum on March 28 will feature a panel discussion on the NEXT High School.
