In my very first blog entry back in 2009, I wrote that I continue to be impressed by the wonderful actions of our associates who make Wawa a place where ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things (http://www.wawa.com/Blog/post/2009/02/16/Hi-Im-Howard.aspx). I consider myself among these ordinary people, someone whose claim to fame used to be that I graduated from high school.  I wasn't the captain of the football team, nor was I in the honor society.  But early on I adopted the philosophy of thinking big and making things happen. 
 
So I can tell you that I am truly humbled to be featured in Scott Rosen’s new book, Wisdom at the Top: Lessons on Leadership and Life from 35 CEOs. I was honored to be included with leaders of international companies, such as Bill McDermott, Co-CEO, Member Executive Board of SAP AG, Cristobal Conde, President & CEO of Sungard Data Systems, Inc., and Rudy Karsan, CEO of Kenexa Technology Inc.; and leaders of nonprofit organizations, such as Jill Michal, President and CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts Project.

Wisdom at the Top features exclusive interviews with 35 of the Greater Philadelphia area’s CEOs all centered on their roads to success.    For me, this road is paved by the lessons I learn and the inspiration I take from the more 17,000 associates, all who have come together to make Wawa a place unlike any other.  So for me the title of this book would be more aptly named, “Wisdom from the flock” as my success is a direct result of all of our associates’ commitment to living our values, inspiring our customers and making things happen every day. 

In the book I am quoted as saying “We have six deeply held values that guide almost everything we do in this business... If decisions embrace most of those values, they prove to be very, very successful decisions.” The values are at the heart of our success, they’re what keeps our flock flying together, and always one wing ahead of the competition.

It was wonderful to be able to share stories about our culture and values, and about the wonderful world at Wawa, which is filled with such dedicated, talented people. In fact, as I said in the book, my greatest satisfaction has been watching other people grow. I can only hope the readers of this book get half the joy out of the thoughts I shared as I get from being part of such an amazing organization filled with such dedicated people. It is my pleasure to serve the Wawa team. As I said in the book, I wake up each morning and think about how I work for them.

Being a part of this book has been very exciting, and the icing on the cake was when one of our General Managers, Maureen Pimble and her fellow GM’s from our Delaware and Maryland stores surprised me on a store tour with a book signing. Maureen assembled General Managers and associates from the area to have me sign copies of the book, and it gave me a chance to thank each of these associates for their commitment to the values and for being a part of the special Wawa story. 

For more information about Wisdom at the Top or to purchase a copy of the book, go to www.rosengroup.com/WisdomattheTop.  It’s a great way to enter the minds of our local leaders and learn about the mistakes, achievements, and lessons learned on the journey to success. 

'til next time . . .