Honored Leader: Rachel A. Torchia, President
Company Name: Gateway Title, Inc.
Location: Brecksville, Ohio
Nature of Business: Real estate title and escrow service
company.
Founded: 1993
Revenue: $0-5 million
Growth Rate (2001): 20 percent
Number of Employees: 17
Average Tenure: 4.5 years
Key Workplace Traits and Programs:
- Employees in leadership roles
- Open-book management
- Accessible leader
- Company-wide meetings
- Employee recognition programs
- Entertainment rewards
- Employee of the month/year
- In-house training programs
- Cross-training
- Subsidized external learning
- Company social events
Torchia on leadership: "The most valuable lesson I’ve learned
– which is also the most valuable lesson I can impart upon my team
– is learning to respond rather than react.
"You cannot lead someone past the point where you are. I began to
confront people for their behavior. Having a bad day or problems at home
... could no longer be an excuse for mistreating anyone. We are still accountable
for the way we handle things. Respond or react – it is a choice.
"You can cool down, take a moment, then continue the conversation
later – or you can react in anger or frustration and alienate someone.
It is a choice.
"Of course, even Gateway Title isn’t a perfect little world.
We all – on occasion – forget to slow down. But the focus remains
because we hold each other accountable. By far, that is the most valuable
lesson we are continuing to learn."
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