Winning Spirit Magazine March-April 2017 | Page 12

Managers, general managers, and executives enjoyed a moment between conference sessions. 2017 Leadership Conference Explores What it Means to Be the Best Annual leadership conference brings company leaders together for mutual growth. S enior management and guests from across the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies gathered for the annual Larry H. Miller Leadership Conference in Kauai, Hawaii, January 15-20, 2017. This year’s theme was centered around the company’s vision of being the best place in town to work and the best place in town to do business. The theme was given a local twist and shortened to the Hawaiian phrase No Ka ‘Oi, which means “the best.” HIGHLIGHTS Conference attendees were introduced to the “be the best” theme by Clark Whitworth, who “What sets us apart and binds us together is that we’ve created a culture of values together—it makes us stronger and gives us purpose.” Gail Miller 10 LHM Winning Spirit March/April 2017 shared one of Larry Miller’s favorite stories, “The Impossible ($5) Job.” Clark explained that Larry often used the story of a young man who gains an unlikely mentor while learning what it means to be his very best self to explain the importance of having a good work ethic and the value of mentors. Clark also used the story to challenge the company’s leadership to seek out mentoring opportunities in the coming year. The company presidents gave reports on their various business entities, sharing highlights from the previous year, along with how they were implementing and seeing results from the LHM Group’s mission, vision, values, and guiding principles. For the first time at leadership conference, each of the presidents conducted break-out sessions with the members of his or her business entities. Attendees discussed specific action items they could carry out in their workplaces to further the company’s vision of being the best. Steve Miller presented the Miller 2020 Vision—an outline of the Miller family’s plan for the Group (see feature story on page 4). Steve also moderated a panel discussion featuring five members of the board of directors. The panel shared insights into their experiences in the business world, as well as the most valuable lessons they have learned over the course of their varied careers. On the final day of the conference, Gail Miller shared her thoughts on the conference theme. She expressed her gratitude to those who have taught and shared the company’s values and culture—a culture Gail believes makes us better and different: “What sets us apart and binds us together is that we’ve created a culture of values together; it makes us stronger and gives us purpose.” Gail concluded by encouraging the leadership team to share the Group’s values each chance it got, so that team members will touch each level and each employee in the company. ◆