Who are you, and what do you do?
I am Kim Wild, CEO/President of TowHaul Corporation, located in Belgrade Montana. At TowHaul we design and manufacture heavy duty, off road lowboys for the open pit mining industry. We ship our product to 26 Countries. I have been with TowHaul for 21 years.
What has been one insight or lesson that has been most helpful in your career?
Leaders require the capacity to analyze, to think, to weigh alternatives, and to harmonize dissent. But they also require the capacity for quick & decisive action, for boldness and for intuitive courage. They require being at home with abstract ideas, concepts, calculations and figures. They also require perception of people, a human awareness, empathy, and all together a lively interest in people and respect for them.
What has been your favorite mistake? A mistake that in retrospect led to a great lesson and progress.
Hmmm … I need to think about that one.
Project forward ten years. How will your industry or field be fundamentally different then? What opportunities do you see?
Technology – much of the equipment in this industry will be autonomous.
What are some bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
To do business their way … we do business a certain way, and it works for us.
In the last two years, what have you become better at saying no to?
Doing too much myself rather than letting others try and make mistakes.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Be honest with 100% integrity. Do what you say you are going to do, and do your best at everything you do.
Be curious, but listen, listen, and learn from others.
Above all, have a good, positive, ‘can-do’ attitude, and always default to respect.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
If it is to be, it is up to me.