Lessons on Leadership

By Holly Wetzel, VP of Communications American Gaming Association (AGA)

Happy New Year! With January suddenly well underway, one of my resolutions is to grow as a leader in 2013 – a goal I’m sure I share with many of my colleagues in the gaming industry.

Now, as most readers likely are aware, the AGA announced this week that Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the organization since its inception in 1995, is stepping down from his position at the end of June. Thinking about my resolution, it strikes me there are many lessons to be taken from Frank’s long career that can help me and others become better leaders in 2013 and beyond:

Embody Integrity—Frank is as straight a shooter as you’ll ever meet, and his honesty and integrity have made him one of the most respected leaders in Washington, D.C. and throughout the global gaming industry.

The lesson: Be honest ALWAYS. Hold yourself to a higher standard, and expect the same of your employees. It’s a lot easier to get your employees to buy into your vision and succeed when you walk the walk first. Also, people want to do business with folks they know they can trust.

Seek Collaboration—Frank’s political career has been marked by his ability to reach across the aisle and collaborate with leaders from both sides of the political spectrum. As head of the AGA, he’s honed that skill in bringing together competing interests to achieve common industry goals.

The lesson: Every viewpoint is valuable, and there’s always common ground to be found. When you find it, leverage it, and then use the talents of the group to achieve something great. Also, there’s more than one right way to do things, and always respect your opponent—they just might become an ally down the road. 

Nurture Talent—Frank has an uncanny ability to indentify his employees’ strengths and to let those talents flourish to the greater benefit of the individual and the organization. He provides seasoned guidance and creates leadership opportunities so his employees can succeed.

The lesson: Be a good teacher, but know when to step back and let your employees lead the way. Recognize accomplishment—even a simple “great job!” can serve as a powerful motivator. Provide constructive feedback and remember that employees want to grow—find ways to help them do it.

Have a Sense of Humor – Anyone who’s spent time with Frank knows he loves a good story and is quick with a joke. Work is serious business, and we accomplish a great deal at the AGA, but we’re never too busy to have a little fun.

The lesson: When you create a work environment where your employees are happy, comfortable and often laughing (sometimes even at you!), it’s amazing the level of success you can achieve. Happy employees mean better ideas, better collaboration and a better end product.

These are just some of the lessons I’ve taken from Frank over the years. I’ll be keeping them in mind as I endeavor to become a better leader in 2013. Best of luck to everyone keeping YOUR resolutions, and happy new year!

Recommended links:  G2E 2012 Welcome Remarks from Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.