The Business Of Leadership
By Glenn Furuya
President & Chief Educational Officer of Leadership Works
Anniversaries are an opportunity to reflect upon the journey one has taken. For me, this year marks the 30th anniversary of our company, Leadership Works. How appropriate that this major milestone is celebrated with pearls, and how opportune to be able to share some pearls of wisdom I’ve learned along the way.
I’m often asked how I got my start. Born and raised in Hilo, I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from the University of Hawaii and started my career as a special education teacher. This eight-year journey taught me to lead, as I was challenged to create strategies and foster an environment that would inspire my students to learn. During this same time, I also served as the head of advertising and assistant to company president Tony Taniguchi at KTA Super Stores in Hilo, where I gained valuable business experiences and insights on how to transform an organization.
In 1982, I left these positions to pursue my passion for leadership, and I started Leadership Works. I began by cold-calling businesses and offering my consulting services.
Along the way, I trained with some of the top business leaders of our time, including Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who taught me that results emerge from optimized systems, empowered people and enlightened leadership.
Blending the wisdom of Eastern, Western and Polynesian cultures, Leadership Works offers workshops and services that help individuals, teams and organizations grow. In addition to our signature eight-day Leadership Works Experience, offered twice annually on Oahu and this year in Hilo, we also conduct numerous in-house workshops and provide consulting services to improve the leadership, communication, teamwork and service skills of those we serve.
It has been said that, “there is no such thing as status quo, you either wilt or grow.”
Growth is the obvious choice. For 30 years we have helped people and organizations grow.
Come join us and let’s get growing!
For more information, visit leadershipworks.com.
