Small Business Today Magazine APR 2014 MONTGOMERY ROTH | Page 34

EDITORIALFEATURE

»Continued From Page 10

Things I Have Learned in These 30 Years
 It’s easy to fall into stereotyping others
through generational patterns.  It’s flawed
to believe that generations based on their
general characteristics is an across-theboard characteristic of each individual. 
People need to be managed based on
their individual contributions.  Leveraging a
diverse work force to increase innovation
and high performance is the top-of-mind
internal roadmap of the company.

On a basic but dramatically important level,
my list of day-to-day tasks includes:

1. Being a fair leader.
2. Listening with an unbiased, open mind
and listening more than talking.
3. Showing honesty in all that I do and
expecting everyone in my company to
be trustworthy.
4. Leading by encouragement, not fear.  
5. Leaving all negativity at home before
going to my business and then leaving
all my business issues at the office before going home at the end of the day.
6. Taking care of problems right away.  Never putting off tomo- rrow what I can fix
today while it is still fresh on my mind.  
 7. Always genuinely praising others when
praise is due.

 8. Demonstrating gratitude.
 9. Always exemplifying the exce-llence of
the company.
10. Having a take-charge attitude.  Being a
Captain Phillips!
 11. Giving back, being generous.

»Continued From Page 13
The Houston Public Library
The People’s University

Leaders - answer their own emails and the

to offer a new family-centered
program over the next three
years at two HPL locations –
McCrane-Kashmere Gardens
Neighborhood Library and Carnegie Neighborhood Library
and Lifelong Learning Center.

 “The attitude of the leader is the attitude
of the office, company, and team. Choose
the attitude you want to have your customers experience from your associates,
and that is the attitude you must demonstrate yourself.”

Known as “Keeping PACE”
(Parents and Children Empowered), the HPL Collaborative
for Children with other partners will bring their respective
expertise to provide two family mentoring series for families
with a focus on economically
disadvantaged families.  Keeping PACE is a family learning
program that aims to position
families for success through
comprehensive learning workshops that strengthen the
whole family.  The families will
be equipped with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to achieve real quality of
life change for themselves and
their community.

telephone.
Leaders - make coffee and order lunch for
the team.
Leaders - always dress for success.
Leaders - are professional in their verbal language and body language.

Rita Santamaria is the owner and founder of Champions School of Real Estate (established in 1983) and
the Champions School of Professional Development. 
Rita’s accolades include:  2013 Texas Women’s Chamber of Commerce,Top Business Woman in Texas Honoree, 2013 Top 100 Small Businesses by the Houston
Business Journal, and Top 50 Most Recognized Women
in Houston in 2011.  For more information, visit her
company website at www.ChampionsSchool.com.

I encourage you to visit our
“people’s university” either online or in-person.  You will be
amazed at the fun, innovative,
and educational programs and
services available…and they are
all free!  Find out more at www.
houstonlibrary.org.

Serving since January 2, 2010, Annise D.
Parker has been elected as the Mayor of
Houston three times.  She is Houston’s
61st Mayor and one of only two women
to hold the City’s highest elected office. 
For contact information, go to:  www.houstontx.gov/mayor/

32 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ APRIL 2014 ]