Hi, I’m Steve Yates, a business owner of 30 years, a devoted husband & father, a Harley Ultra rider, and a firm believer that everything rises and falls on leadership.

My journey with leadership started in a precast concrete plant in Aurora, IL where I was tasked with managing the operation’s safety performance. I noticed when the words and instructions I gave seemed to fall on “deaf ears”. Over time, I learned it was less about the “ears” and more about my ability to lead in a way worth following.

While I’ve been learning to grow my level of leadership, I’ve helped managers, owners and operators all over North America to do the same. My former company, Optimum Safety Management, supported nearly 450 companies in developing cultures of world-class safety performance. And everything we did was centered on the principles of great leadership.

Now, as I transition to a new phase of life, it’s my desire to help many rising leaders to “level up” in life, faith and business as they transition to new responsibilities. In this newsletter, I’ll share my own thoughts and reflections - as well as invite other leaders worth following to share their perspectives.

I hope you’ll join me for the ride.

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