Hickory Algorithm Newsletter

Leadership in the Workplace

Jul 11, 2025

By: Chris Goldby ∣ Hickory Algorithm

This week I found myself talking about leadership more than I ever have in my life. It’s one of those topics that everyone has a different take on because leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone leads a little differently. Great leaders don’t just have a “style”—they adjust, adapt, and lead individuals based on their strengths.

But here’s something I believe with every fiber of my being:

If you have to say you’re a leader, you’re probably not.

The best leaders never need to announce it. Others will do it for you. Whether it’s at work or at home, leadership is shown, not declared. It’s built in quiet consistency: accountability, showing up early, staying late, helping others without seeking credit, and being the person others turn to when they’re unsure.

But leadership also isn’t about doing everything yourself. If someone on your team has a problem, help them figure it out—but don’t solve it for them every time. Because if you’re always fixing the same issue, it’s either:

A task you should just do yourself, or
A role you need someone else to handle.

That sounds harsh, but here’s the truth: if a person can’t adjust, take feedback, or handle the demands of a position, keeping them there creates a long-term problem for everyone.

Transactional as a Leader - Nick Saban <~~~ YouTube Clip

Develop you’re team - Hire with Intention - Always

Early in my retail career, I hired managers, employees, or seasonal staff. At one point, I had interviewed so many people I started to ask myself: “What’s the ONE thing I’m actually looking for?” Not just to fill a shift or fix a problem, what do you I want all my employees to be?? Hard working? No calling off?

And the answer hit me.

Do they care?

That’s it. Not “are they perfect?” or “will they work every weekend?”—but do they care enough to take pride in what they do?

For example, I learned to appreciate high school athletes. Most people saw them as unreliable due to sports schedules. I saw something else: commitment, responsibility, and adaptability. Athletes are trained to adjust when the game changes—and trust me, in the real world, the game always changes.

My oldest son is seeing this now. His one passion right now as a teenager is going into his sophomore year to play Hickory High Football. It is number 1 on his list. Number 2? Finding a job. The amount of interviews he has went on and the lack of call backs and ghosting from potential employers (not kidding) it’s wild out there. All because when he answers the question about after school activities he says he plays football. It’s seen as a hinderance.

Another unlikely group? Gamers.

Yeah, I know the stereotype: lazy, in the basement, never leave their chair. But I found the opposite. Many of my best managers were gamers—loyal, motivated, and wired for pursuit. They know the value of grinding toward a goal, even if the reward is just a badge or in-game loot. Especially, if that gamer was into online/MMO style video games. Team work with those games are essential which makes great employees.

They were also clear about what mattered to them. I had people request PTO because a new game was dropping. Easy yes, from me. It meant something to them—and when you honor what matters to your team, they give it back tenfold.

My go-to question in interviews was simple:

“What do you do for fun?”

That was the real unlock. If they gamed, I’d pair them on their first day with someone who had the same console - maybe played the same type of game. It eased nerves and created an instant connection.

And I’ll never forget the looks when they found out after the fact that I was the store manager. That was always intentional. I wanted their experience—not my title—to shape how they saw me.

One of my favorite reactions would always come when I asked the employee trainer:

“How did that new employee do?”

“They didn’t even know you were the store manager.”

Exactly.

#fortheloveofthegame

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Join us for two days of family friendly fun in Downtown Lenoir! Vendors, Live Music, Kids Zone, The World's Largest Patchwork of Blackberry Cobbler, Blackberry eating contest, Food...and oh so much more! Friday, July 11 from 5pm-9pm and Saturday, July 12 from 9am-9pm. It's a berry good time during this two day event! This event is rain or shine!

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SELF-GROWTH & WELLNESS THROUGH ANIMALS & NATURE is having a volunteer work day happening tomorrow. More information reach out to Kimberly Clark or check the flier above!

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Come out on Friday evening, July 25th, from 5-9 PM and enjoy a relaxing, summer evening, "Peach Party". We look forward to seeing you there and enjoying a time of fellowship to kick off another great festival!What better way to kick off the 2025 Brushy Mountain Peach & Heritage Festival than with a night of food trucks and live music from CJ Ballard Band!

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Join us for a Rock the Block Sidewalk Sale celebration in Downtown Newton on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.!

We’ll have free cotton candy and hot dogs, live music from street performers, and community partners like the Library to Go and NC Cooperative Extension. We invite everyone to come out and support locals by visiting their favorite shops and discovering something new.

Come enjoy our freshly opened streets and wider, safer sidewalks with the community! We can't wait to see you there!

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