Retired Sealy sales exec shares six success traits
Bedding Today column
David Perry, Executive Editor -- Furniture Today, April 30, 2007
As Sealy's Al Boulden rides off into the sunset, the veteran sales executive leaves us with six traits that point the way to personal and professional success. Boulden, 60, shared these traits with me shortly before he wrapped up his 16-year career at Sealy. He retired at the end of last month.
"Integrity has to be first," he said. "That is doing the right thing when no one is looking. It is being honest with yourself. Something accomplished with integrity tastes so much sweeter."
Boulden has had customers ask for special deals that supposedly will be kept private. "But if you make deals like that," he said, "the customer will wonder if other dealers are getting better deals. Trust is broken down.
"In today's global economy, some cultures do not place a high value on integrity," he continued. "But we must not lose sight of its value. Having principles and standing for them is so important."
These are Boulden's other traits for success:
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Above-average intelligence. "You don't have to be an Einstein but you do need analytical skills. You have to be able to take complex situations and break them into understandable parts."
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Communication skills, both verbal and written. "This involves knowing how much or how little to talk. Listening is so important in business. Writing skills are also important. Everyone should master basic grammar and composition skills. Resumes should be pristine. I've seen misspelled words on resumes for high-level people. That digs a hole that has to be overcome."
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Motivational skills. This includes self-motivation, or being a self-starter who will work a full day. It also includes the ability to persuade, or motivating people to want to do what you suggest. "That doesn't mean strong-arming people. It does mean making your case clearly and convincingly."
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Organizational skills. "It's important to be organized. Many people have sloppy desks, but they know where everything is. It also means getting to appointments on time, and being able to prioritize." Yes, to-do lists are helpful. "My kids used to joke that I carried to-do lists on vacations."
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Business maturity. "I've seen mature 21-year-olds and immature 45-year-olds." Sealy looks for people who want to better themselves and better the company, and who have a sense of purpose in their lives, he said.
Boulden formed his ideas on excellence by watching thousands of employees in action in his almost 40 years in business. In addition to his 16 years at Sealy, he also worked at blue-chip consumer marketing powerhouses like Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and Frito Lay.
Attention, all you young lions out there: You can learn a few things from his list.
Contact David Perry at dperry@reedbusiness.com
