Retired billion-dollar CEO: Push candor over comfort with your team

Although many styles of leadership can be effective, a 50-year Cintas Corp. executive, in looking back at what worked for him, relies on three C's: consistency, candor and communicate.

Courtesy. Michael Benson talks with Rob Kohlhepp at a NextGen Speaker Series event held in April.
Courtesy. Michael Benson talks with Rob Kohlhepp at a NextGen Speaker Series event held in April.
  • Leadership
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Bob Kohlhepp prided himself on being an honest and fair leader throughout the 50 years he spent rising up the ranks of uniform giant Cintas Corp. But there were more than a few times he had to, with straightforward respect, dress down some employees.

 

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