By: Brian Mitchinson, SVP Marketing, Vision Critical

For our company launch, I asked my friend, Kate Inglis, to interview our founder.

Her response after the interview: “Just had a meeting with Andrew Reid. Can I work for you guys? Never mind. I’m not asking. I’ll be there in six hours.”

The output of that interview provides insights into what gives a company an edge – one that can help propel growth by 4600% over 4 years…

“A leader orchestrates the best possible mix of people, and of enthusiasm,” he says. “A suit is irrelevant.”

Leadership 101 might advise guarding any hint of vulnerability, of humanity. The bid to present an executive front lends an almost solemn air—but as Reid believes, that’s a tone that keeps people from connecting with one another beyond the constructs of quotas and budgets. In contrast, enthusiasm ripples through Vision Critical not because it’s mandated, but because it’s infectious. That enthusiasm finds its roots with Reid.

“I don’t want to spend a third of my life having all the vitality sucked out of me in boardrooms. I don’t think anybody does. Just because your work is intense and high-stakes doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it, and enjoy the people around you.”

Check out the full interview.