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The Parks Way!
The Parks Way with guest Chris Obrien Unionville Office, Operations Manager
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Wyatt
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Episode 9
Listen to Chris's Story on growing up hard has molded him into the great leader, father, and husband he is today!
Hello, this is Wyatt Tucker on that's the parks way Podcast. I am sitting across the man the myth, the legend Chris O'Brien. Chris How are you today?
I don't know about all that. I'm doing great
good. Well, it's a beautiful Monday afternoon we caught Chris on the fly to do this podcast is flies up by the way I could see but you know, we're just gonna sit here relax and Chris, you won the manager of the quarter award. And with that, and since the COVID pandemic and everything we have not been able to have employee appreciation. So what we've been doing is doing a little bit of podcasts and just want to kind of talk to you. So you got some time today to do this. Oh, yeah. Wonderful. So Chris, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from where you're raised. It's all about kind of leadership and your journey and your story. So kind of start off at the beginning.
All right. Um, so originally born in Orlando, Florida.
Orange County, rough area.
Three brothers, two sisters. big family.
You are the oldest I'm the oldest.
Yeah. Oh, wow. oldest of all of them.
So, my No, I've never met my my father. You know, he ran out on my mom. When, you know, I was at a young age. Grew up you know grew up pretty pretty tight. You know, birthdays weren't that good. You know, remember hold on you're a pretty tight with
like your your siblings. Yeah,
yeah we were we were tight knit you know we were all we had mom did the absolute best she could she did a great job sacrificed a lot
in Florida where you're still in Florida
yeah still in Florida. I didn't come to South Carolina until I was about eight years old. Okay. So yeah, we you know like say grew up it was kind of rough.
Explain rough you don't mind me asking like what? Yeah.
Is Yeah, it was just a life's a rough area. I remember you know, couldn't couldn't go outside without supervision. You know, and then just you know, with with, you know, mom raising us are set herself like I said, birthdays, you know, it was just a cake you know, power lights go out and mom would make it a game you know it would be a Hide and Seek game like how they would go out because didn't care bills weren't paid bills weren't paid so really, really tough you know that those times
but but
you didn't know that there was because the bills are not getting paid, right?
Yeah, no, no that then
maybe we'll get into that a little bit later on. But when did you realize at what age did you realize like hey, wait, this wasn't like hiding your seat. This was because we didn't pay the bills
properly Probably about time I got in middle school, you know, 1213 years old started figuring out more and more
did it did it feel like it was kind of? I don't want to say that. Let's just say the tooth fairy. Right? It was that kind of feeling when you kind of found out like, Man, you know, all those times back then that wasn't, you know, hanga See?
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's, that's how it was.
Well, it's kind of like it. You know, I remember not that specific thing, but like, kind of when you found like, your parents weren't like super human. You know, like, Man, these are like, they're normal, normal people. But, you know, they're not perfect. Like, they're not they're not. They're not Superman or Superwoman anymore. See Kyle on that kind of feeling.
Yeah.
That Yeah, I mean, the, the way, the way it all really started clicking for me was I won't ever forget it one day at baseball practice. Mom, you know, for the longest, I assumed my brothers, the sisters are really my step brothers and sisters, they all have their dad and I was about me I was I had my own father never met mine. But soon all the time that theirs was mine, right. And mom tells me baseball practice. You know, Jamie, Jamie wasn't your day. So that, you know, I'm old enough now I start and to and to and really figuring out you know why it was so rough and their father was kind of abusive, you know, and that was, that was a whole nother situation there. But yeah, I mean, mom. Yeah. Mom did what she had to do to take care of all of us. Yeah. A lot of mouths to feed.
Yeah. So was there any other way aunts, uncles, anybody around Florida when y'all were
Just Just grandparents, just her parents. Okay. And you know, they were at the age where they really couldn't do a whole lot for us. Really?
Yeah. Okay. So you're growing up in Florida. You know, you're eight years old and pick up and move to the thrill.
Yeah, well, we moved to richburg, South Carolina Chester County, which is about 20 minutes south of Roku, where I live now.
When not
because of the, the area that we were in Florida, you know, they figured out my parents figured out real quick that they, you know, they didn't want to keep us down there.
Okay. My parents heard your stepdad.
Yeah. So during the Florida timeframe, my mom actually I allowed one of her friends from school in his wife to kind of move in with us and help with the help with the bills and stuff. Well, during that time, she finds out there that His name's Marty. He's always had a crush on my mom at school. So, so things don't work out with him and his current wife, him and my mom get together. And now all this time later, you know, he was actually the one that raised us.
Wow,
yeah, that's power. He, he came in and, you know, took care of six of us because he has a son to came in and took care of us all this time. Wow. Yeah. Huh.
So So Maureen, your mom moved. There. All six of y'all live up here. Is everything. Yeah. That was a big deal. One. Oh, yeah.
Yeah, that was a big deal. Everybody in school you know getting settled up here obviously you know him finding work and everything is a big big ordeal.
Yeah, so we'll come back a little fast for now just bring posb You're the Operations Manager over at the at the Van Buren excuse me univille office. Right. I think collectively over your three stints with parks you've been here What? 10 years eight years.
mm
666 ish.
We obviously didn't start off as operations manager you started off as installer.
You know.
Tell them like today tell about Chris today. We just came from. We're gonna go back to that but from Florida, eighth, you know, eight years old moving up from Orange County, Florida up to Chester County, South Carolina near the thrill The thing you got to share about like Chris today, you got three kids, right? Yes, three kids. Happily married wife and yeah, who scares me a little bit, but she's in a good way. And, you know, just obviously, you've turned out pretty good now, right?
Yeah, um,
you know, like, the competitive nature of me. I guess I guess I kind of grew up with with something always proof with with, you know, other siblings. That's, that's normal. And then, you know, the way we grew up, but I feel like that's kind of normal. But uh, yeah, basic, basically. You know, I got my first job that was CCS pizza.
And I start
You're welcome Cz. Yeah,
that was that was me. Just as a start, and I get comfortable, and I just work these insane hours and start making the most money that there was offer there. And, you know, my dad, you know, was my step Daddy, he stops me. He says, Chris, you know, I'm coming home at two in the morning because I'm closing. He says, you can make all the money in the world, but you can't buy time. It's true. So, immediately, then I started thinking, I'm like, Okay, I gotta make more money with working lists. So I got into that. I met my father in law. At the time, he got me into the drywall distribution. I start delivering drywall and stuff like that, but find out real quick, that stuff's heavy. You know? It's killing my bag, my knees. So I hung in there. I did that for about three And my buddy calls me at brothers and says, Hey, we're looking for an installer over here. You want to come give it a shot? I said, I don't know a single thing about heating in there. What's the top view there? All right,
we're gonna come back to that. Where I was getting at is what you just nailed on the head. There was where your hard work, your determination you know, you come from nothing, everything else. See the pod podcast here is really about leadership and when he talks about what you do, or what each person who's been on here does differently, to stand out and show leadership and that really kind of went there. So I want to go back to that.
The one thing that
the one thing that that made me
who I am or where I am if I had to say was just my competitive nature just I have to be better. You know, I gotta be better than the man beside me. Come on. That's what I've always went off of.
Come on now, a new a new chemistry engineer
now. Now, just whatever whatever I'm working that and dealing with. You do it to the best of my ability,
right? But it's stuff that you like, right? You got to like it. Yeah. Oh yeah so you do you do enjoy I don't even know you don't enjoy every part of your job is nobody does but you do enjoy the competitiveness of what you have to deal with day in and day out brings joy. So then you are engaged involved in that 100% right. Oh, yeah. Not not like me and you bro. When we were in chemistry class. We were in a hidden spit. Was that the hot cheerleader? Right. Yeah, I mean that that kind of stuff there. I didn't care if I came in dead. Last because I knew it was because I didn't hate me. Right? Yeah, no difference be cool, nice. Yeah,
I have to, I have to definitely be engaged. And there's a few things that you know, are really important to me and I try to do the, you know, working on course really important. And I tried to do i do it so well that my wife yells at me for spending too much money on it. being the best father that I can be because I grew up without one, you know, for a while. And not only that, but the example I received from my stepfather stepping in you know, we his kids, and he did tons for us. So those those things and then you know, with work
why he did that. Why do you think he stepped in and would do that? I mean, most guys that that ain't normal.
Yeah, that's a huge that's a lot of luggage, right?
I that. I don't know. I guess he really liked my mom. I have no idea. I'm just living. He builds transmissions still does been doing it since he was like 17 I think Wow.
So that's kind of where you got the whole fall in the love a car thing maybe.
Between dad and my father in law. Okay, they both kind of got me into it.
Yeah, you got a bad of the boom machine now.
Try
so. Alright, so let's you move up here, right you kind of get yourself into doing all that in and working in total about high school. What do you remember of it? I mean, that you're not you're not a little guy, right? I mean, you're pretty athletic.
Yeah. High School. I've put on a ton of weight from it since we both have
brother Dory. Awesome podcast, not a film. So we're good.
School was a lot of fun. I was I was in ROTC, you know, enjoyed that I was part of the orienteering team, where you run courses through the woods to, you know, checkpoint to checkpoint on time trials. I played football since I was Gosh, I guess probably 10 years old all the way to high school. I tried baseball couple years I did a lot of sports really active.
their high school
What did you in high school obviously, he didn't want to grow up to be a drywall guy. He didn't want to probably want to be a heating and air operations manager like what did Chris want to be when he grew up? Like
I
was just high school but well, I you know, what do you want to be when you grew up?
And in high school? I was dead set on joining the military to be a sniper. Really? Yes. I was dead set on it. My grandpa He died at 86. And I helped him build a fence the day before he died in his yard. Do you know? He was hardcore military? Was he kind
of a role model growing up? Or not?
Yeah, he he was a he was a big part between him and my stepdad. Okay. Yeah. But yeah, just, you know, talking about all the war stories and stuff, and he was in the Korean and World War Two. And
No, I was kinda in the process of it. I was really getting engaged with ROTC. And you know, I went to summer camps where you go to the military bases and you're pretty much live in like you're in the military and you know, you get they cycled through everybody and you got a shot to lead everyone and they were watching me, you know, all the other big guys were watching you and you you know, a sink or swim at that point. You you command, you command these guys or, or you fall on your face. And I loved it. You know, I love the the physical part of it the obstacle courses, all that fun stuff, but also, you know, being tried and being able to stand through it.
So graduation comes what what are you doing, you're going to military
know that Where that's where CCS came into play at graduation, so my parents tell me you know, I start start getting into the whole party thing chasing girls all this and that core. Oh, and they say, hey, if you can't live by our rules, get out on your own. I say so I'm like, Well, you know, I got some things you know, I want to I want to do and I don't want to answer anyone. So at 17 I went out on my own. I went in, I
think he knew it all.
Yeah, I thought I knew it all. moved out, got got with the roommate and rented a house 7017 found out real quick, that that is easier said than done.
It is.
But my parents, you know, they were always there. They they were straight. That that is the reason why I didn't get into a whole lot of trouble I was probably the the good kid out of us five or six. But yeah, I mean that I owe a lot of who I am today to their the way they raised me. Good.
Good. So you were on your own and doing the girl thing the party thing working and cc's. Then why do you that? That wasn't it so you go to brothers?
Yeah. Yeah, go from co working at ccsp to figuring out hey, this ain't gonna work very long. Start the whole drywall delivery. Now I'm now I'm young and I'm doing a grown man's job. You know, like I said, so
could you I guess where I was going there. I'm sorry. You You kind of When did you make the conscious effort that hey you know what like I'm not gonna go be a sniper maybe one specific instance but like hey what was it kind of just kind of fell by the wayside or you know kind of was over with or what
real real life sinking real quick like I said I made the decision
which happens to a lot of people
yeah I made the decision to get out on my own and you know because of the way I am I told myself okay when I made this decision I'm not coming back and I never did. I never went back. But really when it when it really stopped, I always kind of held on to that thought but then I had my my daughter. I was like, Okay, yeah, this is a whole nother ballgame
you have in your story kind of this where you're going with this kind of reminds me of Anthony for He's been on the show two or three podcasts. And you know, he kind of the same thing. And, and I can relate to that I can really relate to that that I really wasn't serious about life per se until a child comes and that's a big deal.
Oh yeah. Yeah. Knew You
daddy's girl. So I know you did a great job. Yeah.
When you figure out you know that someone else is relying on you did something it's a big game changer. Yeah.
So, you know, Chris, speaking on leadership, man, you shared a lot here and you know, it speaks volumes of who you are, what you come from. was any of that motivation? You know? I'm not speaking from old man here but I think he kind of, he kind of is cut from the same cloth with that meaning. You know, he'd have parents growing up right his both his parents died. I've I could go on speak volumes of specific things and everything else about that. But I mean, he he was motivated by that, right? He wanted to be better than anybody else didn't care what like a bowling chop shops that sometimes. But you know, he wanted to make something of his life because he didn't have a dad, right? He didn't have any of that family foundation. You know, and I don't think you can I don't think he feels guilty about it right. I don't think he I don't think anybody would, you know, look at him and say, oh, man, you did that for all the wrong reasons or anything like that. I'm not. I'm not saying that but I know that it did help him and, you know, some people let it defeat him. Right. And some people, you know, seize the opportunity and I can sit here and be tested that that you have and in my simple question is why Chris, why did you not become just another statistic or You know, somebody that didn't kind of came from the same thing and man, they're either in prison, they're dead. They're kind of bounced around. They're kind of, you know, deadbeat so they're bounced around job. What? What do you think the difference maker was for you?
Um,
couple things one, I just knew I knew that I didn't have like the the the easiest start I knew that I was behind the eight ball already, you know just with what just the way the way everything you know the way I kind of came up and everything you know,
pretty much on a bar.
Well just
you know, like say group really tough neighborhood really bad schools, horrible schools and even even down there in Lewisville where I went to school.
Okay, so you're talking so eight when I'm just trying to clarify so you talk about a bow here. Talking about somebody that didn't come from that.
Yeah, okay. Yeah, I just yeah, I mean, I felt like you know growing up without a without a you know, knowing who my real father was for those years in the beginning and you know, just just kind of getting a slow start I felt like between that and being the oldest sibling and my other brothers staying in a good bit of trouble through school and stuff, so I felt like that I needed to be you know a good example
for for them
but, uh, yes.
Why that? I mean that all sounds good. Yay. You know, that's the right thing you supposed to do. You know, I have a younger sister. But But what what what do you think it was deep down and maybe maybe we don't want to talk about it or Go there but I just wanted to you know the people out there that that do listen to this man they I think there's a lot of resignation a lot of stories behind that and maybe they're dealing with some of the same things that you dealt with early on in your life you know what to stay on that path of not going to get into trouble right or you know was a fear of being locked up or you know, not amounting to something in life for you know, and I get the whole thing about your daughter and that is spot on hundred percent you totally believe that with all my heart. But why what what what was the dip? I mean, stay at CCS till two o'clock you didn't have your daughter till then. Right? No, what was kind of the motivation behind being different?
It was, it was it was proven that I can make it on my own. In the beginning. It was just proven that I can I can do so. Mm hmm. I don't need now need anyone.
So you held yourself to pretty are high standards for yourself.
Yeah, I mean I what I didn't want and like I said I'm very grateful for for my mom and what she did do. She sacrificed a ton, but I wanted to. I wanted to be better.
Did she ever talk to you about your dad?
No, no, hardly ever.
Still haven't met him, right?
No, I don't know what it looks like. He could walk in right now and I wouldn't know it.
Does. Do you feel like any of that can be part of your motivation of that. Yeah. The reason I say is my dad, my dad did cry. Like he, you know, there were times where I didn't understand like Christmas or Thanksgiving or Mother's Day or Father's Day like he just was a bottle man. Like just, I didn't do anything. He's mad. He never like abused or did anything because he's just a good godly man, but he just was mad and looking back. I know that That's part of it was because he, you know, he missed he missed his dad. And in his gears in his mind, the only thing the way to do is to distract himself. And the only way to distract yourself is to, you know, work or be motivated to do something or or whatever else. You know, can you resonate with any of them? Maybe or?
Yeah, I mean, my stepdad came man, like I said, I would really
liked him as a father.
Yeah, I was still still pretty young.
But you know,
nachi dad,
right, right.
But he, you know, my set dead he really, he really gave me everything I needed. Growing up, but yeah, I mean the whole the whole thing with with my real dead. Dad is my that is my motivation. For me being a father Now did that aiming have a whole lot to do with? You know, my success and my competitiveness? Not really not so much that part of it?
Yeah.
Good. Well, I would think that in a way, maybe it It could relate to that is that you know, you want to be a good dad, you want to be there for your kids, you want to put food on the table you don't want I know y'all don't play the power game, you know, Hey, hide and go seek when the power comes because it doesn't So, you know, I think there's some there's some good parts of motivation and and I think any civilized any responsible adult, it don't matter who you are, they always want better for their kids. Right. And so, you know, I think that that, in itself does do a lot of good motivation for you and doing well. That's powerful man. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for Thank you for you know, acknowledging those things and understanding that so you know, getting moving moving a little bit faster paced in a direction. You it's your third tour parks. Right. And it's lasted and it's been great. You know, just speaking a little bit I mean, I think you were young when the first couple times you were on here, I think you knew deep down I knew there's there's something different about you, right? The first day you walk in and you know, it was cold, gatos, cold near out there and that truck. I think we finally sold that truck like 15 bucks, man, now that there's more sentimental value of losing that truck because there's the whole you know, rig drinking the piss the kid. Remember that story about him peeing in the cup. In the back of the truck, he knows the wrong pickups, the one that Rick drinks out of remember that Oh yeah, and I mean, we've had a lot of stories about that old truck But anyways, you got it and it was nasty and we're trying to change that culture good bit I feel like we have for the most part. I mean, he just took it upon yourself just to clean it make his organized everything else there and then you know, he came up with the whole wheelbarrow tow thing. That was awesome. That was awesome. Is he got this good little creative mind teaser. I always knew in the back of my mind. I was like, man, Chris just would, you know, hang on and grow up a little bit. You know? There's a lot that this guy can do. And you know, you've you've you've even exceeded my expectations, man. I mean, even you coming back you stopped in excuse me, you stepped into a role. And you know your first time back I knew you really wanted it to and everything else was because you know you're walking in customers houses of them having to replace coils that are two, three years old, even younger and and and they're upset, they bought this new house or having spent money on evaporator coil you didn't need to do with it, then you're helping out with change house getting our inspection rate down and everything there. You know, but I could tell there was a calmness to you, if I had to say there's a difference, Chris, that one I didn't have to feel like I had to walk on eggshells or there wasn't that sense of, you know, you get some of these people in here has come through these doors and everybody that's in heat and air can relate to this that Oh, man, if I say something wrong today, they're gonna quit or they're gone. or anything like that. You know, what do you think the difference was? What What do you you know, talk about that for me if you can relate to it. I don't know if I ever shared that. But I just wanted to there's a little difference to you.
Coming back this this last? Yeah. Yeah. Um, the first couple times I was here, you know that this place was shooting a lot. Like a rocket, more work than we really knew what to do with and it got trying at times, you know, physically. You know, we were doing to change outs a day trying to, you know, do all we can. It's hot.
Not organized pulling your stuff. Yeah. Yeah, y'all had to do a lot of work before even turn the wrench.
Oh, yeah, yeah, the you know, it wasn't what it is today for sure. And like I said I was young and just, you know, hot headed and, you know, just really not not thinking, not not putting my family and my goals in, you know, inversed just just making rational decisions based off one bad day, you know, and so when I come back, Warren, I figured you know, me and US had plenty of talks before. Oh, yeah. And I figured hey, you know, this Probably my last straw. That's that's one thing that that kind of calmed me down. But also I had to start seeing things from other people's perspective, you know, and figuring out, you know, everything that you you done back because back then it was a lot of it wasn't department managers and stuff it was just you and us and that was it. And I had to realize that you know what, what all goes into running a business and then and everything that it takes and when I really get that perspective and started understanding that and started working with install and manage and install, it really made me respect. You know, why? Why, you know, people are in those positions and what it takes to get them done. Now I've already looked back and I've already thought to myself, man, yeah, I was I was, I was a frickin problem child, you know?
Yeah. But I mean, everybody. Everybody is you didn't do anything that was that was crazy out there. I mean, I just was, you know, you could just tell you could tell a difference when you came back this time and it was it is what we needed to write. I mean, you walked in and we really needed you because even at that point, man, we're still flying by sea or pants. Heck, I think we are today it's sometimes but it may never be good enough for me. But, you know, I think from from that perspective, there was a difference in Chris's difference in maturity and it kind of relates back to your story of your own
life. Yeah, I also figured out hey, you know, it's time for me to make another step. You know, I was getting stale. I was, you know, doing sab I've been installing forever. And I'm sitting there thinking man, I want my Shout out my shot, you know, I'm not stopping here. So, yeah, I needed to make the next step to make myself happy to make myself feel accomplished. Like I was doing something. So yeah, I needed to, you know, make some changes and things and start proving to some people that I could Yeah, I could get it done. Yeah.
And now you're now you're running a department that you got 40 or so people underneath. You know, there's a lot lot there that you and you aren't done yet. I mean, your goals are clear. And you've you've you know, we have our one on ones and when we talk about things you you know, you're still motivated and you're still hungry and that there's a lot that that says about that and I think you're you know, the the leadership part of it is is it's kind of I was talking about this not too long ago Ryan is kind of like you know, you tired of hearing the walk in, you know, a dad talk about walking in the snow three miles up here. barefoot to school right? You know a Ryan was talking about you know these guys these texts now they don't they've never seen 100 hours or you know, these changeout guys man that we get they get mad about due to AC calls in a day. Oh yeah due to full duct system to full change us is kind of weird even though worse I guess by the rules of yours we're still young, we're both under 40 but we're talking like we're like old men because
it'll make you feel that
it does and I and I could say the same thing for you that you've, you know, he could do that. But I think you've but also the big thing of why you've grown and why you shouldn't is that you got the respect, right? There's nothing there's service guys. They might try to get somebody but they know they not. And you know, your installers. They all know that you've been there, you've done it, you smelt it you felt it You you you know the ins An ounce of that in our industry, man, you know, especially the culture parks unless you're trying to come up through the ranks that way it ain't gonna work. It ain't gonna work you might have been doing something like that very long but you got to do it long enough to where the the guys that worked for you understand where they're coming from and can relate right outside of this whole COVID thing. Nobody can relate to that but you know, you've I think that's why another part of us been able to grow so fast we're like I said, you got 4050 people working underneath you and got me trucks we bought and everything, you know, five change our crews and all this other stuff and CSRS and you've been able to handle all that because everybody can respect you from that. Right. And you know, it's been that is priceless in in in leadership. When you're trying to become a level five leader. That's where you make the difference. difference is you have that part of you that is so rare that you're like a unicorn, almost man. And, you know, that's, that's big day. That's big for you.
Yeah. That you know that the more and more I get into management and leadership, you know? Well, first, first and foremost, I won't ask anyone to do anything that I won't do myself. And I let that be known. You know, I let the all the guys know, hey, you know, I have done this. I will still do it. I'll take my shirt off and go do it. You know.
Some days I think he enjoys to take a phone call from me or customer.
Yeah, it's nice getting back out. But yeah, I'm figuring out you know, more and more every day. That I'm only as good now as the people around me. You know, we got a really good group of people. I'm having to shift my mindset into, I've been used to going in for so long and doing everything myself. Now I have to get better at working with everyone and trusting everyone and, you know, code coaching, and I got a, I got to start for me to make my next step I have to, you know, get better at enabling the team, you know, and not just taking it all on myself. Yeah. So that's, that's kind of where I'm at now. Yeah.
And I think they're, you know, there's a big strength and weakness in that bit. One big thing for me was is you know, we've done a lot of different you know, through the organization chart and working with, you know, our coaches and everything else. We've done some shifting and players and getting right people on the bus. A you know, you've always kind of I've felt that you know, Hey, Chris Protect, right? Chris is going to protect this place he's going to, he's going to protect those employees, he's going to, you know, hey, we're going to make this what I think maybe a risky decision or this personnel change or that, you know, Chris has kind of always been that protector been that guy that kind of said, yeah, this sucks, but we're gonna be able to handle it, we'll move forward from it do X, Y, and Z. And I think that that's a big piece of your leadership but also as you get bigger and as we grow and as you get more people I need you it you can't you can't do everything for everybody either. Right? And you know, I think that that is a great quality in you and it's also something that did he all great leaders, including myself have struggles and that's a that's okay struggle for me versus not okay, one but, you know, I think that, you know, while we're on this topic is speaking about leadership that that's really good for you and that you are a protector and in that anybody They're worse underneath you. I know, they know at the end of the day at the end of the day that you've got their back. And you know, you can't can't say Oh, I can't say that a lot.
Yeah, I definitely want you know, I definitely want everyone to have that feeling about me. I care a lot I care a lot about the the success of parks and the success of everyone at parks you know, more than my more than really myself because without the whole company succeeding, I won't. So yeah.
I hope that everyone does feel that way.
Yeah. Well, Chris, this has been great man. We're gonna you know, wrap up the sea is afternoon and talk about that you've done a fantastic job. We're gonna do this again. I I know there's a couple things I said we wanted to go there. I still want to know a little bit more about the whole you know, brothers thing and You know, we had talked about your beautiful wife and your kids much but you know this has been great in you know, we always try to do something we in this podcast and for anybody out there that's Washington has listened and there's a still a lot of employment unemployment right there's a lot of people out there that are struggling that are really hurting right now. You know, what could you say to them not even maybe h fac related just you know, when you've you've been through some things in your day, you know, and and i think you're kind of I would say you're winning life right now. Right? And I hope it stays that way forever. may not we'll know who knows. Right? I hope that that's the case. But somebody that is at the bottom I guess well, the mountain anything you'd like to share with them about what what they could do? Smell feel how I mean, anything that kind of relates through if you if you're looking through your life You know, the last many years you've been on there anything that you'd say?
Yeah. One thing my stepdad told me that I live by and I'll never forget. One was, you know about the time thing I told you about earlier. But the second thing that really stands out is, you know, he said everything you do, Chris, do it to the best of your ability. If everyone lives by that, you know, and and trust, you know, as much as they can to, to go off of that, you know, it'll, it'll be it'll be great. And then also, you know, just just keep your head down and keep grinding. Yes, really?
Yes, sir.
really all you can do. Yeah. When you feel like given up, you know, things get tough, you know, you're tired. You just gotta keep pushing and better days will come
great. Answer great answers there, Chris. Well, again, I appreciate this. This has been fantastic. We'll do this again. But that was a great answer there, Chris, and I appreciate you being on the podcast. Thank you. Oh, thank you. Thank you and for letting you stick a little around a little later today. And we're going to sign off this is Wyatt Tucker. That's the parks way podcast host signing off with Chris the lift the man, the legend, Chris O'Brien. So thank you, Chris. Have a good day.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
I don't know about all that. I'm doing great
good. Well, it's a beautiful Monday afternoon we caught Chris on the fly to do this podcast is flies up by the way I could see but you know, we're just gonna sit here relax and Chris, you won the manager of the quarter award. And with that, and since the COVID pandemic and everything we have not been able to have employee appreciation. So what we've been doing is doing a little bit of podcasts and just want to kind of talk to you. So you got some time today to do this. Oh, yeah. Wonderful. So Chris, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from where you're raised. It's all about kind of leadership and your journey and your story. So kind of start off at the beginning.
All right. Um, so originally born in Orlando, Florida.
Orange County, rough area.
Three brothers, two sisters. big family.
You are the oldest I'm the oldest.
Yeah. Oh, wow. oldest of all of them.
So, my No, I've never met my my father. You know, he ran out on my mom. When, you know, I was at a young age. Grew up you know grew up pretty pretty tight. You know, birthdays weren't that good. You know, remember hold on you're a pretty tight with
like your your siblings. Yeah,
yeah we were we were tight knit you know we were all we had mom did the absolute best she could she did a great job sacrificed a lot
in Florida where you're still in Florida
yeah still in Florida. I didn't come to South Carolina until I was about eight years old. Okay. So yeah, we you know like say grew up it was kind of rough.
Explain rough you don't mind me asking like what? Yeah.
Is Yeah, it was just a life's a rough area. I remember you know, couldn't couldn't go outside without supervision. You know, and then just you know, with with, you know, mom raising us are set herself like I said, birthdays, you know, it was just a cake you know, power lights go out and mom would make it a game you know it would be a Hide and Seek game like how they would go out because didn't care bills weren't paid bills weren't paid so really, really tough you know that those times
but but
you didn't know that there was because the bills are not getting paid, right?
Yeah, no, no that then
maybe we'll get into that a little bit later on. But when did you realize at what age did you realize like hey, wait, this wasn't like hiding your seat. This was because we didn't pay the bills
properly Probably about time I got in middle school, you know, 1213 years old started figuring out more and more
did it did it feel like it was kind of? I don't want to say that. Let's just say the tooth fairy. Right? It was that kind of feeling when you kind of found out like, Man, you know, all those times back then that wasn't, you know, hanga See?
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's, that's how it was.
Well, it's kind of like it. You know, I remember not that specific thing, but like, kind of when you found like, your parents weren't like super human. You know, like, Man, these are like, they're normal, normal people. But, you know, they're not perfect. Like, they're not they're not. They're not Superman or Superwoman anymore. See Kyle on that kind of feeling.
Yeah.
That Yeah, I mean, the, the way, the way it all really started clicking for me was I won't ever forget it one day at baseball practice. Mom, you know, for the longest, I assumed my brothers, the sisters are really my step brothers and sisters, they all have their dad and I was about me I was I had my own father never met mine. But soon all the time that theirs was mine, right. And mom tells me baseball practice. You know, Jamie, Jamie wasn't your day. So that, you know, I'm old enough now I start and to and to and really figuring out you know why it was so rough and their father was kind of abusive, you know, and that was, that was a whole nother situation there. But yeah, I mean, mom. Yeah. Mom did what she had to do to take care of all of us. Yeah. A lot of mouths to feed.
Yeah. So was there any other way aunts, uncles, anybody around Florida when y'all were
Just Just grandparents, just her parents. Okay. And you know, they were at the age where they really couldn't do a whole lot for us. Really?
Yeah. Okay. So you're growing up in Florida. You know, you're eight years old and pick up and move to the thrill.
Yeah, well, we moved to richburg, South Carolina Chester County, which is about 20 minutes south of Roku, where I live now.
When not
because of the, the area that we were in Florida, you know, they figured out my parents figured out real quick that they, you know, they didn't want to keep us down there.
Okay. My parents heard your stepdad.
Yeah. So during the Florida timeframe, my mom actually I allowed one of her friends from school in his wife to kind of move in with us and help with the help with the bills and stuff. Well, during that time, she finds out there that His name's Marty. He's always had a crush on my mom at school. So, so things don't work out with him and his current wife, him and my mom get together. And now all this time later, you know, he was actually the one that raised us.
Wow,
yeah, that's power. He, he came in and, you know, took care of six of us because he has a son to came in and took care of us all this time. Wow. Yeah. Huh.
So So Maureen, your mom moved. There. All six of y'all live up here. Is everything. Yeah. That was a big deal. One. Oh, yeah.
Yeah, that was a big deal. Everybody in school you know getting settled up here obviously you know him finding work and everything is a big big ordeal.
Yeah, so we'll come back a little fast for now just bring posb You're the Operations Manager over at the at the Van Buren excuse me univille office. Right. I think collectively over your three stints with parks you've been here What? 10 years eight years.
mm
666 ish.
We obviously didn't start off as operations manager you started off as installer.
You know.
Tell them like today tell about Chris today. We just came from. We're gonna go back to that but from Florida, eighth, you know, eight years old moving up from Orange County, Florida up to Chester County, South Carolina near the thrill The thing you got to share about like Chris today, you got three kids, right? Yes, three kids. Happily married wife and yeah, who scares me a little bit, but she's in a good way. And, you know, just obviously, you've turned out pretty good now, right?
Yeah, um,
you know, like, the competitive nature of me. I guess I guess I kind of grew up with with something always proof with with, you know, other siblings. That's, that's normal. And then, you know, the way we grew up, but I feel like that's kind of normal. But uh, yeah, basic, basically. You know, I got my first job that was CCS pizza.
And I start
You're welcome Cz. Yeah,
that was that was me. Just as a start, and I get comfortable, and I just work these insane hours and start making the most money that there was offer there. And, you know, my dad, you know, was my step Daddy, he stops me. He says, Chris, you know, I'm coming home at two in the morning because I'm closing. He says, you can make all the money in the world, but you can't buy time. It's true. So, immediately, then I started thinking, I'm like, Okay, I gotta make more money with working lists. So I got into that. I met my father in law. At the time, he got me into the drywall distribution. I start delivering drywall and stuff like that, but find out real quick, that stuff's heavy. You know? It's killing my bag, my knees. So I hung in there. I did that for about three And my buddy calls me at brothers and says, Hey, we're looking for an installer over here. You want to come give it a shot? I said, I don't know a single thing about heating in there. What's the top view there? All right,
we're gonna come back to that. Where I was getting at is what you just nailed on the head. There was where your hard work, your determination you know, you come from nothing, everything else. See the pod podcast here is really about leadership and when he talks about what you do, or what each person who's been on here does differently, to stand out and show leadership and that really kind of went there. So I want to go back to that.
The one thing that
the one thing that that made me
who I am or where I am if I had to say was just my competitive nature just I have to be better. You know, I gotta be better than the man beside me. Come on. That's what I've always went off of.
Come on now, a new a new chemistry engineer
now. Now, just whatever whatever I'm working that and dealing with. You do it to the best of my ability,
right? But it's stuff that you like, right? You got to like it. Yeah. Oh yeah so you do you do enjoy I don't even know you don't enjoy every part of your job is nobody does but you do enjoy the competitiveness of what you have to deal with day in and day out brings joy. So then you are engaged involved in that 100% right. Oh, yeah. Not not like me and you bro. When we were in chemistry class. We were in a hidden spit. Was that the hot cheerleader? Right. Yeah, I mean that that kind of stuff there. I didn't care if I came in dead. Last because I knew it was because I didn't hate me. Right? Yeah, no difference be cool, nice. Yeah,
I have to, I have to definitely be engaged. And there's a few things that you know, are really important to me and I try to do the, you know, working on course really important. And I tried to do i do it so well that my wife yells at me for spending too much money on it. being the best father that I can be because I grew up without one, you know, for a while. And not only that, but the example I received from my stepfather stepping in you know, we his kids, and he did tons for us. So those those things and then you know, with work
why he did that. Why do you think he stepped in and would do that? I mean, most guys that that ain't normal.
Yeah, that's a huge that's a lot of luggage, right?
I that. I don't know. I guess he really liked my mom. I have no idea. I'm just living. He builds transmissions still does been doing it since he was like 17 I think Wow.
So that's kind of where you got the whole fall in the love a car thing maybe.
Between dad and my father in law. Okay, they both kind of got me into it.
Yeah, you got a bad of the boom machine now.
Try
so. Alright, so let's you move up here, right you kind of get yourself into doing all that in and working in total about high school. What do you remember of it? I mean, that you're not you're not a little guy, right? I mean, you're pretty athletic.
Yeah. High School. I've put on a ton of weight from it since we both have
brother Dory. Awesome podcast, not a film. So we're good.
School was a lot of fun. I was I was in ROTC, you know, enjoyed that I was part of the orienteering team, where you run courses through the woods to, you know, checkpoint to checkpoint on time trials. I played football since I was Gosh, I guess probably 10 years old all the way to high school. I tried baseball couple years I did a lot of sports really active.
their high school
What did you in high school obviously, he didn't want to grow up to be a drywall guy. He didn't want to probably want to be a heating and air operations manager like what did Chris want to be when he grew up? Like
I
was just high school but well, I you know, what do you want to be when you grew up?
And in high school? I was dead set on joining the military to be a sniper. Really? Yes. I was dead set on it. My grandpa He died at 86. And I helped him build a fence the day before he died in his yard. Do you know? He was hardcore military? Was he kind
of a role model growing up? Or not?
Yeah, he he was a he was a big part between him and my stepdad. Okay. Yeah. But yeah, just, you know, talking about all the war stories and stuff, and he was in the Korean and World War Two. And
No, I was kinda in the process of it. I was really getting engaged with ROTC. And you know, I went to summer camps where you go to the military bases and you're pretty much live in like you're in the military and you know, you get they cycled through everybody and you got a shot to lead everyone and they were watching me, you know, all the other big guys were watching you and you you know, a sink or swim at that point. You you command, you command these guys or, or you fall on your face. And I loved it. You know, I love the the physical part of it the obstacle courses, all that fun stuff, but also, you know, being tried and being able to stand through it.
So graduation comes what what are you doing, you're going to military
know that Where that's where CCS came into play at graduation, so my parents tell me you know, I start start getting into the whole party thing chasing girls all this and that core. Oh, and they say, hey, if you can't live by our rules, get out on your own. I say so I'm like, Well, you know, I got some things you know, I want to I want to do and I don't want to answer anyone. So at 17 I went out on my own. I went in, I
think he knew it all.
Yeah, I thought I knew it all. moved out, got got with the roommate and rented a house 7017 found out real quick, that that is easier said than done.
It is.
But my parents, you know, they were always there. They they were straight. That that is the reason why I didn't get into a whole lot of trouble I was probably the the good kid out of us five or six. But yeah, I mean that I owe a lot of who I am today to their the way they raised me. Good.
Good. So you were on your own and doing the girl thing the party thing working and cc's. Then why do you that? That wasn't it so you go to brothers?
Yeah. Yeah, go from co working at ccsp to figuring out hey, this ain't gonna work very long. Start the whole drywall delivery. Now I'm now I'm young and I'm doing a grown man's job. You know, like I said, so
could you I guess where I was going there. I'm sorry. You You kind of When did you make the conscious effort that hey you know what like I'm not gonna go be a sniper maybe one specific instance but like hey what was it kind of just kind of fell by the wayside or you know kind of was over with or what
real real life sinking real quick like I said I made the decision
which happens to a lot of people
yeah I made the decision to get out on my own and you know because of the way I am I told myself okay when I made this decision I'm not coming back and I never did. I never went back. But really when it when it really stopped, I always kind of held on to that thought but then I had my my daughter. I was like, Okay, yeah, this is a whole nother ballgame
you have in your story kind of this where you're going with this kind of reminds me of Anthony for He's been on the show two or three podcasts. And you know, he kind of the same thing. And, and I can relate to that I can really relate to that that I really wasn't serious about life per se until a child comes and that's a big deal.
Oh yeah. Yeah. Knew You
daddy's girl. So I know you did a great job. Yeah.
When you figure out you know that someone else is relying on you did something it's a big game changer. Yeah.
So, you know, Chris, speaking on leadership, man, you shared a lot here and you know, it speaks volumes of who you are, what you come from. was any of that motivation? You know? I'm not speaking from old man here but I think he kind of, he kind of is cut from the same cloth with that meaning. You know, he'd have parents growing up right his both his parents died. I've I could go on speak volumes of specific things and everything else about that. But I mean, he he was motivated by that, right? He wanted to be better than anybody else didn't care what like a bowling chop shops that sometimes. But you know, he wanted to make something of his life because he didn't have a dad, right? He didn't have any of that family foundation. You know, and I don't think you can I don't think he feels guilty about it right. I don't think he I don't think anybody would, you know, look at him and say, oh, man, you did that for all the wrong reasons or anything like that. I'm not. I'm not saying that but I know that it did help him and, you know, some people let it defeat him. Right. And some people, you know, seize the opportunity and I can sit here and be tested that that you have and in my simple question is why Chris, why did you not become just another statistic or You know, somebody that didn't kind of came from the same thing and man, they're either in prison, they're dead. They're kind of bounced around. They're kind of, you know, deadbeat so they're bounced around job. What? What do you think the difference maker was for you?
Um,
couple things one, I just knew I knew that I didn't have like the the the easiest start I knew that I was behind the eight ball already, you know just with what just the way the way everything you know the way I kind of came up and everything you know,
pretty much on a bar.
Well just
you know, like say group really tough neighborhood really bad schools, horrible schools and even even down there in Lewisville where I went to school.
Okay, so you're talking so eight when I'm just trying to clarify so you talk about a bow here. Talking about somebody that didn't come from that.
Yeah, okay. Yeah, I just yeah, I mean, I felt like you know growing up without a without a you know, knowing who my real father was for those years in the beginning and you know, just just kind of getting a slow start I felt like between that and being the oldest sibling and my other brothers staying in a good bit of trouble through school and stuff, so I felt like that I needed to be you know a good example
for for them
but, uh, yes.
Why that? I mean that all sounds good. Yay. You know, that's the right thing you supposed to do. You know, I have a younger sister. But But what what what do you think it was deep down and maybe maybe we don't want to talk about it or Go there but I just wanted to you know the people out there that that do listen to this man they I think there's a lot of resignation a lot of stories behind that and maybe they're dealing with some of the same things that you dealt with early on in your life you know what to stay on that path of not going to get into trouble right or you know was a fear of being locked up or you know, not amounting to something in life for you know, and I get the whole thing about your daughter and that is spot on hundred percent you totally believe that with all my heart. But why what what what was the dip? I mean, stay at CCS till two o'clock you didn't have your daughter till then. Right? No, what was kind of the motivation behind being different?
It was, it was it was proven that I can make it on my own. In the beginning. It was just proven that I can I can do so. Mm hmm. I don't need now need anyone.
So you held yourself to pretty are high standards for yourself.
Yeah, I mean I what I didn't want and like I said I'm very grateful for for my mom and what she did do. She sacrificed a ton, but I wanted to. I wanted to be better.
Did she ever talk to you about your dad?
No, no, hardly ever.
Still haven't met him, right?
No, I don't know what it looks like. He could walk in right now and I wouldn't know it.
Does. Do you feel like any of that can be part of your motivation of that. Yeah. The reason I say is my dad, my dad did cry. Like he, you know, there were times where I didn't understand like Christmas or Thanksgiving or Mother's Day or Father's Day like he just was a bottle man. Like just, I didn't do anything. He's mad. He never like abused or did anything because he's just a good godly man, but he just was mad and looking back. I know that That's part of it was because he, you know, he missed he missed his dad. And in his gears in his mind, the only thing the way to do is to distract himself. And the only way to distract yourself is to, you know, work or be motivated to do something or or whatever else. You know, can you resonate with any of them? Maybe or?
Yeah, I mean, my stepdad came man, like I said, I would really
liked him as a father.
Yeah, I was still still pretty young.
But you know,
nachi dad,
right, right.
But he, you know, my set dead he really, he really gave me everything I needed. Growing up, but yeah, I mean the whole the whole thing with with my real dead. Dad is my that is my motivation. For me being a father Now did that aiming have a whole lot to do with? You know, my success and my competitiveness? Not really not so much that part of it?
Yeah.
Good. Well, I would think that in a way, maybe it It could relate to that is that you know, you want to be a good dad, you want to be there for your kids, you want to put food on the table you don't want I know y'all don't play the power game, you know, Hey, hide and go seek when the power comes because it doesn't So, you know, I think there's some there's some good parts of motivation and and I think any civilized any responsible adult, it don't matter who you are, they always want better for their kids. Right. And so, you know, I think that that, in itself does do a lot of good motivation for you and doing well. That's powerful man. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you for Thank you for you know, acknowledging those things and understanding that so you know, getting moving moving a little bit faster paced in a direction. You it's your third tour parks. Right. And it's lasted and it's been great. You know, just speaking a little bit I mean, I think you were young when the first couple times you were on here, I think you knew deep down I knew there's there's something different about you, right? The first day you walk in and you know, it was cold, gatos, cold near out there and that truck. I think we finally sold that truck like 15 bucks, man, now that there's more sentimental value of losing that truck because there's the whole you know, rig drinking the piss the kid. Remember that story about him peeing in the cup. In the back of the truck, he knows the wrong pickups, the one that Rick drinks out of remember that Oh yeah, and I mean, we've had a lot of stories about that old truck But anyways, you got it and it was nasty and we're trying to change that culture good bit I feel like we have for the most part. I mean, he just took it upon yourself just to clean it make his organized everything else there and then you know, he came up with the whole wheelbarrow tow thing. That was awesome. That was awesome. Is he got this good little creative mind teaser. I always knew in the back of my mind. I was like, man, Chris just would, you know, hang on and grow up a little bit. You know? There's a lot that this guy can do. And you know, you've you've you've even exceeded my expectations, man. I mean, even you coming back you stopped in excuse me, you stepped into a role. And you know your first time back I knew you really wanted it to and everything else was because you know you're walking in customers houses of them having to replace coils that are two, three years old, even younger and and and they're upset, they bought this new house or having spent money on evaporator coil you didn't need to do with it, then you're helping out with change house getting our inspection rate down and everything there. You know, but I could tell there was a calmness to you, if I had to say there's a difference, Chris, that one I didn't have to feel like I had to walk on eggshells or there wasn't that sense of, you know, you get some of these people in here has come through these doors and everybody that's in heat and air can relate to this that Oh, man, if I say something wrong today, they're gonna quit or they're gone. or anything like that. You know, what do you think the difference was? What What do you you know, talk about that for me if you can relate to it. I don't know if I ever shared that. But I just wanted to there's a little difference to you.
Coming back this this last? Yeah. Yeah. Um, the first couple times I was here, you know that this place was shooting a lot. Like a rocket, more work than we really knew what to do with and it got trying at times, you know, physically. You know, we were doing to change outs a day trying to, you know, do all we can. It's hot.
Not organized pulling your stuff. Yeah. Yeah, y'all had to do a lot of work before even turn the wrench.
Oh, yeah, yeah, the you know, it wasn't what it is today for sure. And like I said I was young and just, you know, hot headed and, you know, just really not not thinking, not not putting my family and my goals in, you know, inversed just just making rational decisions based off one bad day, you know, and so when I come back, Warren, I figured you know, me and US had plenty of talks before. Oh, yeah. And I figured hey, you know, this Probably my last straw. That's that's one thing that that kind of calmed me down. But also I had to start seeing things from other people's perspective, you know, and figuring out, you know, everything that you you done back because back then it was a lot of it wasn't department managers and stuff it was just you and us and that was it. And I had to realize that you know what, what all goes into running a business and then and everything that it takes and when I really get that perspective and started understanding that and started working with install and manage and install, it really made me respect. You know, why? Why, you know, people are in those positions and what it takes to get them done. Now I've already looked back and I've already thought to myself, man, yeah, I was I was, I was a frickin problem child, you know?
Yeah. But I mean, everybody. Everybody is you didn't do anything that was that was crazy out there. I mean, I just was, you know, you could just tell you could tell a difference when you came back this time and it was it is what we needed to write. I mean, you walked in and we really needed you because even at that point, man, we're still flying by sea or pants. Heck, I think we are today it's sometimes but it may never be good enough for me. But, you know, I think from from that perspective, there was a difference in Chris's difference in maturity and it kind of relates back to your story of your own
life. Yeah, I also figured out hey, you know, it's time for me to make another step. You know, I was getting stale. I was, you know, doing sab I've been installing forever. And I'm sitting there thinking man, I want my Shout out my shot, you know, I'm not stopping here. So, yeah, I needed to make the next step to make myself happy to make myself feel accomplished. Like I was doing something. So yeah, I needed to, you know, make some changes and things and start proving to some people that I could Yeah, I could get it done. Yeah.
And now you're now you're running a department that you got 40 or so people underneath. You know, there's a lot lot there that you and you aren't done yet. I mean, your goals are clear. And you've you've you know, we have our one on ones and when we talk about things you you know, you're still motivated and you're still hungry and that there's a lot that that says about that and I think you're you know, the the leadership part of it is is it's kind of I was talking about this not too long ago Ryan is kind of like you know, you tired of hearing the walk in, you know, a dad talk about walking in the snow three miles up here. barefoot to school right? You know a Ryan was talking about you know these guys these texts now they don't they've never seen 100 hours or you know, these changeout guys man that we get they get mad about due to AC calls in a day. Oh yeah due to full duct system to full change us is kind of weird even though worse I guess by the rules of yours we're still young, we're both under 40 but we're talking like we're like old men because
it'll make you feel that
it does and I and I could say the same thing for you that you've, you know, he could do that. But I think you've but also the big thing of why you've grown and why you shouldn't is that you got the respect, right? There's nothing there's service guys. They might try to get somebody but they know they not. And you know, your installers. They all know that you've been there, you've done it, you smelt it you felt it You you you know the ins An ounce of that in our industry, man, you know, especially the culture parks unless you're trying to come up through the ranks that way it ain't gonna work. It ain't gonna work you might have been doing something like that very long but you got to do it long enough to where the the guys that worked for you understand where they're coming from and can relate right outside of this whole COVID thing. Nobody can relate to that but you know, you've I think that's why another part of us been able to grow so fast we're like I said, you got 4050 people working underneath you and got me trucks we bought and everything, you know, five change our crews and all this other stuff and CSRS and you've been able to handle all that because everybody can respect you from that. Right. And you know, it's been that is priceless in in in leadership. When you're trying to become a level five leader. That's where you make the difference. difference is you have that part of you that is so rare that you're like a unicorn, almost man. And, you know, that's, that's big day. That's big for you.
Yeah. That you know that the more and more I get into management and leadership, you know? Well, first, first and foremost, I won't ask anyone to do anything that I won't do myself. And I let that be known. You know, I let the all the guys know, hey, you know, I have done this. I will still do it. I'll take my shirt off and go do it. You know.
Some days I think he enjoys to take a phone call from me or customer.
Yeah, it's nice getting back out. But yeah, I'm figuring out you know, more and more every day. That I'm only as good now as the people around me. You know, we got a really good group of people. I'm having to shift my mindset into, I've been used to going in for so long and doing everything myself. Now I have to get better at working with everyone and trusting everyone and, you know, code coaching, and I got a, I got to start for me to make my next step I have to, you know, get better at enabling the team, you know, and not just taking it all on myself. Yeah. So that's, that's kind of where I'm at now. Yeah.
And I think they're, you know, there's a big strength and weakness in that bit. One big thing for me was is you know, we've done a lot of different you know, through the organization chart and working with, you know, our coaches and everything else. We've done some shifting and players and getting right people on the bus. A you know, you've always kind of I've felt that you know, Hey, Chris Protect, right? Chris is going to protect this place he's going to, he's going to protect those employees, he's going to, you know, hey, we're going to make this what I think maybe a risky decision or this personnel change or that, you know, Chris has kind of always been that protector been that guy that kind of said, yeah, this sucks, but we're gonna be able to handle it, we'll move forward from it do X, Y, and Z. And I think that that's a big piece of your leadership but also as you get bigger and as we grow and as you get more people I need you it you can't you can't do everything for everybody either. Right? And you know, I think that that is a great quality in you and it's also something that did he all great leaders, including myself have struggles and that's a that's okay struggle for me versus not okay, one but, you know, I think that, you know, while we're on this topic is speaking about leadership that that's really good for you and that you are a protector and in that anybody They're worse underneath you. I know, they know at the end of the day at the end of the day that you've got their back. And you know, you can't can't say Oh, I can't say that a lot.
Yeah, I definitely want you know, I definitely want everyone to have that feeling about me. I care a lot I care a lot about the the success of parks and the success of everyone at parks you know, more than my more than really myself because without the whole company succeeding, I won't. So yeah.
I hope that everyone does feel that way.
Yeah. Well, Chris, this has been great man. We're gonna you know, wrap up the sea is afternoon and talk about that you've done a fantastic job. We're gonna do this again. I I know there's a couple things I said we wanted to go there. I still want to know a little bit more about the whole you know, brothers thing and You know, we had talked about your beautiful wife and your kids much but you know this has been great in you know, we always try to do something we in this podcast and for anybody out there that's Washington has listened and there's a still a lot of employment unemployment right there's a lot of people out there that are struggling that are really hurting right now. You know, what could you say to them not even maybe h fac related just you know, when you've you've been through some things in your day, you know, and and i think you're kind of I would say you're winning life right now. Right? And I hope it stays that way forever. may not we'll know who knows. Right? I hope that that's the case. But somebody that is at the bottom I guess well, the mountain anything you'd like to share with them about what what they could do? Smell feel how I mean, anything that kind of relates through if you if you're looking through your life You know, the last many years you've been on there anything that you'd say?
Yeah. One thing my stepdad told me that I live by and I'll never forget. One was, you know about the time thing I told you about earlier. But the second thing that really stands out is, you know, he said everything you do, Chris, do it to the best of your ability. If everyone lives by that, you know, and and trust, you know, as much as they can to, to go off of that, you know, it'll, it'll be it'll be great. And then also, you know, just just keep your head down and keep grinding. Yes, really?
Yes, sir.
really all you can do. Yeah. When you feel like given up, you know, things get tough, you know, you're tired. You just gotta keep pushing and better days will come
great. Answer great answers there, Chris. Well, again, I appreciate this. This has been fantastic. We'll do this again. But that was a great answer there, Chris, and I appreciate you being on the podcast. Thank you. Oh, thank you. Thank you and for letting you stick a little around a little later today. And we're going to sign off this is Wyatt Tucker. That's the parks way podcast host signing off with Chris the lift the man, the legend, Chris O'Brien. So thank you, Chris. Have a good day.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai