I recently went one on one with Eric White, President of Seismic Capital Company.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Eric: Though my current title is President at Seismic Capital Company, I have had quite a diverse career.  From being on Broadway as a child, being an athlete and coach in multiple sports, working on Capitol Hill, being an political influencer and lobbyist for multiple industries in Washington, DC, leading a very successful start-up in Silicon Valley called Broadbay Network, being an investment banker in the media/tech/gaming space and now being part of a Seismic, a company that looks to invest in growth companies that can make in impact both financially for our investors and to make our society a better place. I bring to Seismic Capital Company what we instilled in Broadbay. At Broadbay we were a large piece of building out the nation’s broadband network, we started with 8 people and within 18 months we were in ten locations and had over 650 people working for us. I learned so much about how to grow a company, how to create a work environment and compensation structure to allow our folks to prosper. At Seismic we truly believe in this approach and it is essential that the companies we invest in share similar beliefs. 

As far as failures are concerned, I was exposed to work setbacks at an early age when I started auditioning for and participating in Broadway productions. So regardless of what I’ve learned from any individual experience, I began to develop a sense of perseverance and patience from a young age that has proved crucial to my approach to leadership and entrepreneurship. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the key steps to growing and scaling your business?

Eric: Again, I lean on perseverance and patience. This means to not only looking at the hundreds of companies to potentially invest in, but to then work with those shareholders and founders to negotiate fair deals and collaborate with them to help them grow and prosper. I think some of the biggest lessons leaders in the startup space can learn are centered around not expecting quick returns and not leaning too heavily on superficial wins. Make sure you are taking your time to make informed decisions that will result in meaningful, sustainable long-term results. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading and managing teams?

Eric: I think the most important thing to consider when leading a team is creating an environment where team members feel safe to take risks and even possibly fail.  

As a former youth coach in multiple sports from baseball to squash, I have a firm belief to create an environment to help people gain confidence which led me to believing in each of your team members, giving them responsibility and being there if things go south. This also includes learning and listening that makes for improved communication, truth-seeking and honesty. No secrets, work together, listen, believe in each other and let’s go!

When we started Broadbay Networks even with under ten people, we always tried to create a culture where people would thrive in and take chances. I remember one Friday, one of our employees asked if he could go surfing and leave early in the day. I was a bit taken aback and asked, “really, you want to goof off?” He let me know that he was meeting with a senior person of a well-funded startup, and hoped the one-on-one time could help garner us some business. At that, I encouraged him to trust his gut and go with his instincts.  Well, he landed that client and within three months we had over one hundred people working for us because of the revenue and work developed from his leaving early to go surfing. 

Our biggest hindrance to success and overall happiness is often fear. Great teams thrive when leaders encourage their teammates to take those risks and chances, empowering them to overcome fear on a daily basis. Containing those fears and being courageous can go a long way in how one determines success.

Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have been around and what did you learn from them?

Eric: I always think back to my old basketball coach, who said work hard, gain confidence in yourself and begin at the easiest thing you can do and perfect that and then work from there. Coach John Wooden would welcome in his new players and first teach them how to put on socks, how to tie laces and get that right. When working with Seismic or startups, I work to make sure my teams understand the basics, and have everything taken care of on that end before we can truly create companies with a seismic impact. 

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?

Eric: Communication, having confidence in oneself, knowing the material well, listening, learning, and understanding on being open-minded to people and ideas. To me, I try to be open with a sense of humor so people that work for me like and respect me, and again, if I know the material that makes my message even more effective. 

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Eric: A good leader understands the need to keep learning. Whether it’s learning technical skills from other colleagues, keeping up with new trends, or leaning on the support of trusted mentors, leaders should never stay stagnant in their quest for knowledge and self-betterment. To that end, leaders should also have the perseverance to stick with it as they learn new things. When I look at startups, I look for the founders who are prepared to keep working in the face of failure and passionate enough about their mission, work and values to keep moving forward. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs?

Eric: Patience, perseverance and confidence in yourself and your company’s products and services. These are the traits you look for in founders who aren’t going anywhere, who can withstand changes in consumer behavior or even a pandemic. Founders of these companies will be the ones in a position to make a lasting impact.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to business and civic leaders?

1) Communicate as best as you can. 2) Be open-minded to people and ideas. 3) Bring positive change to your business and/or society with a smile, confidence, and true belief.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Eric: My dad said never be a painter’s helper. So therefore I am prepared to lead and make a difference. We all have the ability to lead and do not let fear get in the way.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Eric: Just thank you for your time and appreciate the opportunity to express my takes and opinions.

Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

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