Several years ago, I interviewed Steve Greenbaum, founder of PostNet, in an interview originally published in Thrive Global. Steve was the CEO of Best Life Brands at the time of the interview. Here is an excerpt from our conversation:

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your story and your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. What is something about you that would surprise people?

Steve: I am an avid wine lover and a co-owner in a Napa Valley winery called Brilliant Mistake Wines. I have also been collecting wine for over 20 years and love sharing wine experiences with friends and family.

Adam: What are your hobbies and how have they shaped you?

Steve: I am a private pilot. I scuba dive, ski, ride motorcycles and participate in endurance athletics. All of these require discipline and dedication and allow me to be in the moment with no distractions. As a CEO, entrepreneur, and business leader, I believe mindfulness is critical to self-awareness, making good decisions, and fostering creativity. Some people meditate, some take quiet moments, I tend to surround myself with sights, sounds, and experiences.

Adam: How did you get here? What failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?

Steve: In my former business, the industry was greatly impacted by technology and change as the business evolved over time. The challenge was having the vision to see the need for change and then leading the organization through that change to a positive outcome. That experience taught me to always be reviewing the future state of the business (to ensure the business is competitive and relevant) with a laser-sharp focus on what customers want and need, and how to make it easier for them to get it. Seeing change, building trust, and leading an organization in a new direction has been instrumental to my growth.

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Steve: As I look back, I would say getting here had a lot to do with how passionately I believe in serving others — in helping them succeed. Other defining qualities an effective leader must have include being open, honest, transparent, and genuine. Essentially, the ability to build trust.

Aspiring leaders also need to surround themselves with successful people that they can learn from and/or identify a mentor to improve their knowledge and skills. I truly believe this made all the difference for me as I grew in my role and career.

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?

Steve:

1. Profit without purpose doesn’t inspire people. Be purpose-driven and serve the greater good along the way.

2. Be genuine, authentic, open, honest, and transparent.

3. Passion will help you get and keep great people.

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

Steve: No matter how large or hard the task, always keep moving forward. It doesn’t matter if you make little or big gains, what matters is that you keep moving forward, one step closer to your goal.

Adam: How can anyone pay it forward?

Steve: Give your time to someone who needs it. Our most valuable asset is time. It’s the one thing you can’t make more of. When you take the time to participate in a business group or forum, coach or mentor others, or just invest your time in someone else, I sincerely believe that’s the best way to pay it forward.

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

Steve: As leaders, we often spend so much time serving others that we can leave ourselves behind. While I may not always practice what I preach, take time for yourself. Invest in your personal, financial, and spiritual growth including your own health and wellness. We can be our own biggest asset or pending liability if we don’t take care of ourselves.


Adam Mendler is an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, educator, and nationally recognized authority on leadership. Adam is 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. 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. Adam has written extensively on leadership and related topics, 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. Adam teaches graduate-level courses on leadership at UCLA and is an advisor to numerous companies and leaders. A Los Angeles native, Adam is a lifelong Angels fan and an avid backgammon player.

Follow Adam on Instagram and Twitter at @adammendler and on LinkedIn and listen and subscribe to Thirty Minute Mentors on your favorite podcasting app.