Inaugural Men in Business event brings championship mentality to Lima

LIMA — At its inaugural event on Thursday, business leaders and employees gathered to hear the significance of culture and perspective.

Inspired by the success of the Women in Business event, the Lima/Allen Chamber of Commerce decided to create a similar event for men. The event was held on the third floor at 144 S. Main St, Lima.

Brian Garver, vice president of KeyBridge Medical Revenue Care and motivational speaker, emphasized the importance of fostering a championship culture in the workplace.

“Culture influences how you feel,” he said. “And how you feel is what dictates what you’re thinking about, and those two things are dictating your actions, and how you’re acting, what you’re doing, and how you’re doing it.”

It all starts with your perspective, according to Garver.

“Why we work is how well we work,” he said. “When we really stay in touch with purpose, and why, it will bring out the best in us.”

Garver explained that being present, making someone’s day, choosing the right attitude and having fun are all part of a championship culture within a business.

Bob Seggerson, Lima Central Catholic High School basketball championship-winning coach, shared the same idea of championship culture on the hardwood.

After four losses in the state championship game, Seggerson finally achieved his dream of over forty years in 2010.

While winning is always the goal, Seggerson expressed pride in how his teams bounced back after tough losses.

After losing the third state championship game in a row, Seggerson received a letter from Marv Levy, head coach of the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League from 1986 to 1997. Levy, who had lost four Super Bowls in a row from 1991 to 1994, changed Seggerson’s perspective during a dark time in his career.

“It was a moving letter to me because he knew exactly what I was feeling,” he said. “What I learned is that the journey is more important than the destination.”

Hypnosis expert Bill Gladwell rounded off the night with his own championship-level wizardry.

Jaws dropped as he worked his magic and crawled into the minds of people to know exactly what they were thinking.

The event is hopeful to be a quarterly event, according to Gabe Taviano, director of marketing and communications for the chamber.

Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351