Lynnda and I just returned from Disney World, a trip I promised her following soccer season.

This was a “thank you” for her support during the season. We eat late dinners during the season. Most weekends have games restricting fall travel. Her support is essential for me to coach. She attends most games. Our fall hasn’t changed much since our oldest started playing soccer in high school.

Disney was a relaxing getaway. It recharged my battery and creativity. It started our Christmas season. Disney’s Christmas decorations were up, and we attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. For the first time since COVID, things felt normal. Christmas carols played and Disney ran snowmakers on Main Street USA. We attended live shows again and our first parade with everyone watching from the sidewalks. Masks are required indoors but not outside. It was fun to watch children’s faces light up as Mickey and Santa came by on floats. I think people are ready for more “back to normal” events.

The trip was a good time to reflect on lots of things. I thought back to our successful season. Coach Joe (our new head coach) had “fun” as one of his primary goals. Joe wanted to win and have the successful championship season we had, but not at the expense of fun. Joe is a former player from our high school who played at a high level in college and as a semi-pro player. He understands the game and what is really important, life lessons the boys learn from athletics.

Us older folks can learn from the young, like Joe. We stopped having practice and started “training sessions.” I was surprised to see most of the boys on the field and ready 15 minutes prior to training. Boys typically hate fitness training, especially morning fitness when we do two a day practices in early August. Fitness training usually consists of running sprints, distances and up steep hills along with other strength drills on the field. This year was different. Coach Joe did very few fitness only drills. Instead, he designed drills and games with the ball that built fitness, were competitive and fun. The boys got fit and didn’t even realize it. At the state tournament, the boys knew the mission was to win the state championship, but the objective was to have fun doing it and smile.

In times of adversity Coach Joe kept his cool. He never shouted or screamed at the boys. He showed confidence in them. He was totally honest in describing their play and mistakes. Joe also explained what they needed to do to improve and be better players. They responded to his firm but relaxed manner positively and began to believe in his system. Joe praises more than he criticizes. When demonstrating a new drill or in warm ups, he leads the drill showing them exactly what to do. Coach Joe expects the boys to think for themselves and take responsibility. His expectations are clear. The boys don’t get chewed out for mistakes. They are expected to learn from them. Coach Joe sets an example. He doesn’t ask the boys to do anything he hasn’t done or wouldn’t do. The result was the boys had fun and won.

Some people may think this can’t be done in business. What I just described is a leader. It is possible to have fun and be very productive. I saw it at Disney this week. Starting with security, at the restaurants, on the attractions and throughout the parks, the people we saw and interacted with were friendly, efficient and seemed to be genuinely happy to be there.

At our favorite local restaurant, the staff is efficient and friendly. The owners and the staff always make us feel welcome. They enjoy what they do. I also noticed they don’t have a staffing problem. My guess is this isn’t a coincidence.

At the United Nations’ COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland this week, President Biden’s climate envoy, John Kerry, said in an interview with Bloomberg, “By 2030 in the United States, we won’t have coal.” He didn’t say what would replace it or how average Americans will have 24/7/365 affordable electricity for electric vehicles. Hopefully he isn’t planning on using weather-dependent energy sources. Success comes from leaders who set an example. To get rid of fossil fuels, leaders should be the first to stop using them. This means no computers, cell phones, jets and electric cars, all fossil fuel products.

The Shale Crescent USA organization is blessed to be made up of great leaders. Most of the Executive Committee has had the honor of being named “Business Leader of the Year” by the Marietta Chamber of Commerce. We have had success bringing industry and jobs to the region. Our studies show why locating in this region is more profitable than locating on the U.S. Gulf Coast and why “U.S. Energy is: The Key to the Reviving of U.S. Manufacturing,” a white paper. The latest study being released in January shows why it is more profitable and improves the environment to manufacture in the USA instead of China. It will give businesses hard data they can use to grow.

The biggest challenges we hear today from businesses, are getting and keeping people. Money is important to a point. I know plenty of people who have left good-paying jobs because their manager was a jerk. In my own career I have always been happier and more productive working for a leader than a manager. People gravitate to organizations with leaders who care about people. Leadership can be learned by anyone. It is a choice. The best solution to keeping people and having success is to develop great leaders who care about people and understand the importance of fun like Joe. All things are possible.

Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing and sales for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a master’s in environmental engineering with over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry. He is the author of four books and numerous published articles.