Leader Spotlight - Dan Cleveland

Our Leader Spotlight includes advice and insights from our clients and friends. It is our pleasure to shine the light on leaders who inspire growth, collaboration, and impact.

Meet Dan Cleveland, President, Dandy Products, Inc.

Most important lesson you’ve learned about building and leading a team:

"The biggest lesson for me is that clarity and trust have to come first. When people understand what’s expected and know you trust them to deliver, they usually exceed your expectations. At Dandy Products, that’s how we’ve built a strong team that runs lean but performs at a high level. I also understand that my team members are not cogs in the machine; they are real people."

Helping people grow and succeed in their roles:

"I believe in giving people ownership and also making sure they have the support to succeed. I tell my team that they have been 'deputized' to make decisions on their own. When people know that you back them with their decisions, it builds confidence and pride. That’s how we continue to grow as a team at Dandy Products."

One piece of advice for leaders who want to create a workplace where people can flourish:

"Be consistent and fair. People do their best work when they feel respected and know they’ll be treated equally. That kind of culture has kept Dandy Products strong through a lot of years of growth and change. We are almost like a family. Our team also meets as a group on Monday mornings to discuss the week ahead.  Our team also meets in the summer for a team dinner at Ocean Club and then again in December for our Christmas Dinner at Jeff Ruby’s. It’s great to get together in a relaxed setting having great food and socializing with each other."