Baking & Snack - July 2004 - 46
realized he was trying to tell me that
if I became a good leader, they would
follow me."
Mr. Brixey set out from that day
forward to become a leader. He also
decided to break down the line between management and the workers
and earn their respect by showing
them respect.
"I literally had to prove myself,"
he said. "I didn't want to tell someone how to put together an engine.
I wanted to show them - not in a
demeaning way - but in a way to
say, 'I'm one of you.'"
Having been with IBC his entire
career in many positions throughout the company has shaped Mr.
Brixey's leadership style. "I have the
benefit of being able to look back to
that first position and realize how I
would have felt in certain situations.
It gives me sensitivity," he said.
He described his leadership style
as unique but simple. He believes
in empowering people and allowing
them to make mistakes and learn
and mature from them. "I base a lot
of it on results. If you're getting the
results I am looking for, I will not get
involved. It's when you are not getᎤ All systems at the Lenexa, KS, plant are PLC
controlled and networked to streamline production procedures for production manager Tim
Gentry and his team.
ting the results that I am more than
willing to give you some guidance
on how to run things, and we can
work together to improve matters,"
he said. He encourages his teams to
think outside the box to ensure continued growth and development and
avoid settling for status quo. "My job
is to provide them with the necessary
resources they need to be successful.
This comes in many forms including
education, training, capital and even
just lending an ear," noted Mr. Brixey.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST. Most
of Mr. Brixey's education has been
gained while moving up the ranks and
having opportunities to work on new
and different projects with dynamic
mentors. "Looking back on my career,
I reflect on my education and the 'hard
knocks' I've been through. There are so
many people along the way who have
helped me, and I'm fortunate to have
come up through the ranks," he said.
The key to continuing to learn, he
#ONGRATULATIONS 2OWDY "RIXEY
FOR BEING NAMED "AKING 3NACKS 2ISING 3TAR
&ROM