Takeaways – Life. Lessons. Learned.
Guy Martin
Guy Martin started his career in construction the summer he turned 13. Working with his dad, Frank Martin, he grew up watching him work hard and build things really well. He always knew that he wanted to run the company one day, and today, he is the President of Martin-Harris Construction. The 48-year-old company employs over 300 people in Nevada and builds everything except for single-family detached residential and on-strip hospitality.
His Christian faith serves as the foundation not just for his life, but his corporate success. Kindness, gratitude, love and faith are the backbone of Guy’s drive to build community, lead future generations, and do more with what he was given.
With a forty-year career in general construction under his belt, Guy worked his way up through “every department but accounting.” Now that he runs the place, his business plan is simple: have fun, make money, and the order is important.
Building People
At Martin-Harris, Guy explains his job is to build people and show off their talents. He thinks of himself as the conductor of one of the most impressive orchestras in Nevada. For Guy, there’s nothing but “we” at Martin-Harris. Growth and development mean that you never go somewhere alone on the job—always be teaching someone new and be willing to guide the future.
Guy says that if Craft and Trade is too hard, there’s always college. His goal is to preserve the nobility of Craft and Trade, and to encourage others to find their gift, not just their passion.
Work within your gift and other Guy-isms to remember
Guy says having fun and finding your gift is what life’s all about. If you can do something effortlessly, you’ve found your gift. The trick is to then build your life around it. Focus on where you’re going, and take an apprentice with you to create the next generation of success.
Guy has an expression for every occasion, and he gives us a few good ones to think about. ‘It’s really hard to hit your off-ramp if you’re looking in the rearview mirror’. This is a great reminder to stay focused on where you’re going instead of where you’ve been. ‘God places the greatest things in life just on the other side of terror’. Guy certainly has a way with words that express his perspectives in a memorable way!
Takeaways From This Episode
- The difference between a manager and a leader is the difference between I and WE.
- Success comes down to business plans and performance.
- Marketing is about what the community sees; business development is about what the client sees.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Watch the full Podcast episode to hear Guy’s vision for the future of Las Vegas. Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to “Takeaways,” rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts.
Brought to you by:
