The Meaning of Leadership

When people hear the word “leader,” they often picture someone in charge. Maybe it is a CEO, a manager, or someone with an office and a title. But over the years, I have learned that real leadership has very little to do with titles. True leadership starts with service. It is about how you treat people, how you show up every day, and how willing you are to put others before yourself.

In a family business like ours, this idea has been passed down through generations. My great-grandfather started Knox Pest Control with nothing but a leather satchel and a strong work ethic. He built his reputation by serving his customers well. That same spirit of service has guided our family for nearly a century, and it continues to shape how I lead today.

Learning to Lead by Serving

My first lessons in leadership did not come from a classroom or a business book. They came from sweeping floors, mowing lawns, and mixing termite treatments during the summer months when I was a kid. I was twelve years old when I started working at our family’s pest control company. I did not have a title or any special responsibility, but I was part of something bigger than myself.

Those early years taught me what it means to work hard and take pride in even the smallest job. I learned that leadership starts with doing your part, no matter how simple the task may seem. When you are willing to get your hands dirty, people notice. They see that you respect the work, and in return, they begin to respect you.

That experience shaped how I approach leadership today. I believe that to lead effectively, you must first understand what it takes to serve, whether it is your customers, your employees, or your community.

The Heart of a Servant Leader

The best leaders I have known all share one thing in common: they put people first. They take time to listen. They care about their employees’ well-being. They celebrate others’ success. That is the heart of a servant leader.

In our business, service is everything. We are invited into people’s homes and trusted with their comfort and safety. That kind of trust is not given lightly, it is earned. The same principle applies inside the company. Our team members need to know that I value them, that I am willing to listen, and that their hard work matters.

Some days that means rolling up my sleeves and working alongside them. Other days, it means taking the time to sit down and talk through a challenge. It also means being humble enough to admit when I do not have all the answers. Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room. It is about helping others succeed.

Leading by Example

Growing up in a family business, I was surrounded by people who led by example. My father and grandfather never asked someone to do something they would not do themselves. Whether it was treating a termite job or visiting a customer, they showed what leadership looked like through action, not words.

That example stuck with me. Today, when new employees join our team, I remind them that no task is beneath anyone. Leadership is built through consistency, humility, and follow-through. When you say you are going to do something, you do it. When you make a mistake, you own it. Those simple actions build trust and set a standard for everyone around you.

It is easy to think leadership is about making big decisions or setting strategy, but most of the time, it is about the small things. It is about how you greet your team in the morning, how you respond to a problem, and how you treat people when no one is watching.

Service Builds Stronger Teams

A culture of service does not just make you a better leader, it makes your whole team stronger. When everyone is focused on helping each other and serving the customer, success naturally follows. People are more motivated when they feel valued and respected.

At Knox Pest Control, we talk a lot about teamwork. Our business only works when everyone plays their part, from the office staff answering phones to the technicians out in the field. Each person contributes to the customer experience, and every job matters. By building a culture where service is at the center, we create an environment where people feel proud of what they do.

We celebrate our wins together and support each other during challenges. That sense of unity comes from knowing that leadership is not about hierarchy, it is about helping one another succeed.

The Ripple Effect of Service

Service has a ripple effect that goes far beyond the walls of a business. When you treat your employees well, they treat customers well. When customers feel valued, they become loyal. That loyalty allows your business to grow, and that growth allows you to give back to your community.

I have seen firsthand how a mindset of service creates lasting impact. Whether it is through supporting local events, helping families in need, or providing jobs that support other families, leadership through service strengthens everything it touches. It builds not just a successful company, but a legacy worth passing on.

The Title Does Not Define the Leader

At the end of the day, a title is just a word. What defines a leader is how they serve others. It is about the example you set, the respect you show, and the difference you make in people’s lives.

When I look back at what my great-grandfather started, I see more than a business. I see a legacy of service that has carried through four generations. That same principle will continue to guide us into the future.

True leadership is not about standing above others. It is about standing beside them, ready to serve, to listen, and to lead with heart. That is what makes a title meaningful, and that is the kind of leadership that lasts.