We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brock Barnhart . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brock below.
Brock , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Merriam-Webster says success is the following: Gaining or having gained success. Sure, gaining something may leave one to believe that’s what it takes to be successful, at least for those who seek to search for the definition in Merriam-Webster. For me, being “successful” has evolved and changed throughout my life. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what my definition of being successful was, until I experienced what my short comings were/are…still learning. Being successful for me, is being a thoughtful and motivating CEO, who creates a culture that will provide opportunities, challenges and self fulfilment for my team. If you love where you work, love what you do and fill self fulfillment, then ultimately, you should feel you have gained something.
All in all, being successful isn’t as easy as Merriam-Webster defining it. Being successful is having a vision, a cause, a passion, and living it YOUR way. You can’t be afraid to be you, nor let others define you, what you do, or what your success looks like. Often times we try to fit into the molds that have already been prebuilt. Breaking the mold is ok and so is creating your own definition. You are likely saying, “but Brock, how will you continue to know whether you are successful or not?” I will know I am successful as long as I keep observing my team loving where they work, loving what they do and filling accomplished, because they stayed true to them and broke the mold with support, encouragement and belief from me. Yes, but what about YOU, Brock? For me alone as an individual, I am not sure success is the real thing I strive for. Sure, I want all of those things that one may want from success. Whether you succeed or fail, it is a journey getting to either and it’s important to fully absorb the lessons along the way. I am not sure I will be able to look at myself and say, I am successful but I hope I can look back and say that I have made a difference in people’s lives both professionally and philanthropically…that is the true wealth and true measure of success…for me.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
In the public relations and marketing industry, it started for me at the Arizona Department of Transportation. I served in several roles within the communications division, with the last being the Assistant Communication Director. In 2017, I joined GCI as the Chief Operating Officer and I came ready to deliver a vision to enhance the company culture and to diversify our services. Since my joining of GCI, I have since purchased the firm and have kept the same vision intact. GCI is a well established firm (25 years) supporting both public and private sector clients and we have a diverse range of service offerings such as public relations, marketing, crisis communication, event planning, creative services, video/photography and community outreach/involvement. I think we are uniquely positioned for the market.
What I really want our potential clients and followers to know about our firm, is that we are going through a rebrand that will align with our movement to diversify our services. I hesitated to do this interview until the rebrand was complete but I see value in sharing this story of growth, so here we are. This rebrand will not change the 25 year foundation that our company has been built from, it will significantly enhance it. So, if you see a new kid (name) on the block/industry soon, be sure to give us a shout, we would love to welcome you to our client family and generate some great results for you.
What sets us a part from most other firms, you ask? Well, I invite potential clients to come and find that out, not every client’s need is a one-sized fits all and not every firm will approach those needs the same way. We have a proven process that has brought tremendous results for our clients, so let’s talk about your needs and how our process will get you the results you are looking for. Although we believe we are a firm that every business should consider, we also know that in our industry, there are many talented people and firms and I personally believe in the abundance mindset. I live by my motto of “doing cool sh*t, with cool people”. If you’re cool, let’s do cool sh*t together! Our industry is truly important to me and I believe that preserving its future, is critical! I hope we are all winning!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Reputation is the strongest asset anyone or any business can have. I have found that building a reputation is not just a smoke and mirrors exercise or building a false front, it needs to be genuine and woven into your fiber. I have always followed these principles; be trustworthy, offer value, provide good customer service, communicate clearly and be of service to the community. Overall, just be a good human, emphasis on HUMAN. Being human is just that, treat people with respect, be approachable and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and open up to and learn from other people. Nothing I do or what I have become makes me better or more special than the next guy or gal. Sure, my actions may definitely define my outcomes, the good person I am and strive to be but that doesn’t necessarily equate to Brock is better than you and you don’t deserve to be treated with respect. I am in competition with nobody, I do me. I have lived by the mentioned principles and I believe they have helped me build the reputation I have in my market/industry.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
My biggest contribution to this question is to treat people with respect. As a leader, I haven’t always been perfect but I have always been willing to grow and learn. Your employee base is your everything, without them, your business won’t function. For me, my culture is the most important thing in my company. I give my team the space they need to be the professionals they are and deserve to be. I am a resource, a colleague and leader who is available for them. I am not a doubter, a micromanager, a babysitter or a “manager.” If you provide your team with the resources, the right environment, trust, support and respect they need to rock their profession, there is no way you can possibly go wrong. Did I mention be HUMAN earlier in the interview? Be human because that’s exactly what all of us are. We make mistakes, so encourage learning moments, take the opportunities to mentor and grow your people. Again, I certainly am not perfect, I am human but I will never let my team feel that they are unvalued, I ALWAYS make it a point to express my appreciation of them and I encourage, provide and challenge them to be better versions of themselves, personally and professionally. They are not my people, my employees, my staff; they are my family, my friends, my professional colleagues and the most valuable link to our company’s success and contributors to our client’s success.
Contact Info:
- Other: [email protected] or 623.362.1597