In this episode I sat down with Fred Reck, a seasoned entrepreneur known for turning a lawn care business into a technology firm and then scaling it through strategic planning and mentorship. Our conversation was a master‑class in combining hard data with human leadership. I asked Fred about his journey from pushing a mower to leading a multimillion‑dollar IT company, and he didn’t hold back.
Why this episode matters
Fred’s story is relevant for anyone who wants to lead a team, not just run a business. He explained that technology is only a tool—real success comes from how you use it and how you grow yourself and your people. As he put it, “The ability to have instant access to all the data in the universe at our fingertips—that is going to continue to accelerate advancements in efficiency in business”[887295114966284†L11-L16]. Data makes decision‑making faster, but leadership and culture determine whether you thrive.
What we talked about
- From lawn care to IT leader. Fred shared how cutting grass taught him work ethic and customer service. Those lessons carried into his IT firm, where he grew by listening to mentors and joining peer groups instead of trying to figure everything out alone. Peer groups and mentors are cheat codes for faster growth.
- Self‑efficacy and continuous learning. He emphasised that business owners have to believe they can improve. This means studying new technologies, refining leadership skills and doing the personal work required to lead others.
- Strategic planning and risk management. We discussed how Fred uses strategic planning to navigate disruption. He asks himself, “If a new competitor enters the market with a disruptive business model, how will I respond?”[887295114966284†L46-L50] and builds contingency plans.
- Customer relationships and team culture. Building strong relationships isn’t about transactional loyalty; it’s about truly listening and serving. Fred encouraged leaders to ask customers for feedback and create a culture where employees feel valued and motivated[887295114966284†L41-L44].
- The role of technology and cybersecurity. Technology can expand efficiency, but it comes with risks. Fred urged us to prioritise cybersecurity and train teams so they understand both the opportunities and threats that new tools bring.
Key takeaways you can apply
- Join a peer group or find a mentor. Fred credits much of his success to surrounding himself with smart peers who challenge him and share resources. Don’t be the smartest person in the room.
- Do the strategic work. Take time to work on the business, not just in it. Create written plans for growth, risk mitigation and succession so you’re ready for disruption.
- Focus on people. Technology can make you faster, but people make you better. Invest in leadership development, listen to your team and create an environment where everyone feels ownership.
- Keep learning. Fred continues to study new technologies and leadership frameworks. The world changes quickly; staying relevant means becoming a lifelong student.
Final thoughts
Talking with Fred reminded me that leadership isn’t about being a hero. It’s about building systems, empowering others and staying curious. He left me with this challenge: never get complacent. Your business will only grow as much as you do. I walked away inspired to tighten up my own strategic planning and invest more in my team, because as Fred demonstrated, strong businesses are built on strong leaders.