Off-Centered Leadership

Chapter 10Decade Three as an Off-Centered Leader

While writing this book, Dogfish Head celebrated its twentieth anniversary. When I think about where we've come since I concocted my first batch of home brew in a cramped New York City apartment, I sometimes shake my head in disbelief. And pride. And humility. What an incredible life journey this has been. But as the company begins its third decade, I'm well aware of how much more there is for me to learn and experience if I am to continue developing as a leader.

As I often repeat, my mission is to see Dogfish Head go forward as a family-owned company, assuming my son, Sammy, and/or daughter, Grier, are interested in grabbing the torch from Mariah and me. Like any parent, we want them to have happy and exciting lives, regardless of what they choose to do when they grow up. Even if they are not interested in continuing in the business, Mariah and I are in our mid-forties and have many years in front of us to contribute to this company. Either way, the next 10 years represent the critical decade to set up Dogfish Head for the best opportunity to transition from a first-generation to a second-generation company.

I believe this family-owned/family of coworkers stance is deeply woven into our company's DNA and thus, during the next phase of our history, it's going to be critical that Mariah and I retain our roles as the voices and faces of the company. A big reason for our success is that the beer community and the local community ...