Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorraine Grubbs.
Lorraine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my career in General Aviation, owning my own charter company called Aviation Charter. I then went to work with Southwest Airlines for the next 15 years in marketing, training and finally as Director of Employment.
My father got very ill in Houston, I was working in Dallas so making the difficult decision to leave Southwest, I then wrote my first book, “Lessons in Loyalty-How Southwest Airlines Does It”. I created my company, Lessons in Loyalty shortly thereafter and began consulting with companies around the world on how they could create a culture where their people were engaged in their business.
I met a client who then asked me to create a very unique, outrageous training program for his executives which lasted 18 months. The training was so successful and unique it led to my second book, “Beyond the Executive Comfort Zone” co-authored with the CEO of General Insulation, Frank Granara.
My third book was launched 2 years later as I introduced my Happy Workplace system. “How to Create a Happy Workplace”. It features not only my four beacon system that any company can use to create their own great culture, but also the stories of 8 award-winning Houston companies like David Weekley Homes and Houston Methodist Hospital who have attained “Top Employer” status by following many of these principles.
My fourth book was launched recently, “Cooking for a Cause – How 200 Texas Volunteers made a $20 million difference in their community” and depicts the story of the loyalty and mission that the Lighthouse Charity Team built and followed to make a huge difference in the Galveston and Friendswood communities.
Today I work off my boat and speak, write and consult. I am currently working on a children’s series of books with my granddaughters which will be called “The Grubby Adventure Series” and will include many boating adventures.
I’ve lived on a boat for 22 years. Loyalty is my third boat. I have gone from a 42′ Seamaster, (Wandering Star) to a 32′ Island Gypsy (Naciente) which I bought in Oriental NC and brought down the eastern seaboard, around the Florida Keys and back to Kemah, Texas. (result of my divorce from my ex whom I lived aboard Wandering Star with). 6 Years ago, I sold my 32′ Island Gypsy Trawler and bought a 52′ Jefferson Monticello motor yacht called Loyalty, where I currently live with my significant other Richard at Offats Bayou in Galveston, Texas.
Has it been a smooth road?
I got out of the aviation charter business because it was hard to be on call 24/7 and raise my two sons. When I went to work at Southwest Airlines I never moved to Dallas. My last 10 years working there, I commuted daily from Houston to Dallas. With 30 plus flights a day between the two cities and the ability to get two hours of uninterrupted “commuter time” while enjoying the sunrise, hot coffee and juice served to me aboard my “company” plane…it was a dream come true.
My personal life has had its own ups and downs. My first husband, (father of my two sons) died of cancer at MD Anderson Hospital when he was 44 years old, leaving me with two sons, 14 & 16 years old. Today I am proud of my two sons and their families. They both live in the Houston area.
I later remarried and that marriage lasted 12 years. Upon divorcing my ex, I was in a bad place emotionally, so I bought my 32′ Island Gypsy in Oriental, NC, took a 90-day hiatus from life, and, with the help of friends, brought it back to Kemah. Where I lived aboard it. It was the best thing I’ve done for myself as I was able to get my mind back on track and put my new single life in order.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lorraine Grubbs, Lessons in Loyalty story. Tell us more about the business.
I write about, speak and consult on how to help companies create a culture of engagement. It is one of the best competitive advantages a company can have today. By putting People first, your profits will follow. It’s the hot topic in today’s business environment, and I have to credit the wonderful leaders at Southwest Airlines for teaching me the basics. While I was at Southwest, in fact, we won the coveted, “#1 company in America to Work For” through Fortune Magazine.
I created my “Happy Workplace” system because for years, as a consultant, it was frustrating to be called in to help companies improve their cultures only to realize they only wanted one part of what I offered. My four “Beacons” must work together so I decided to document my system and call the four areas Beacons because of my boating lifestyle, but also to let companies realize these beacons will guide them to a Happy Workplace.
They are:
Hiring and Onboarding for Happy Employees
Motivating
Leading
Creating Owners of Your Business
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think engagement and loyalty will always be important, though the way companies implement it should change. For example, companies who manage multiple generations would be wise to ask their employees what they want/need and then build cultures around that. A baby boomer, for example would not want/need the same thing as a Millennial, and it’s important to know that.
It’s all about the People.
Pricing:
- My four books, found on www.lorrainegrubbs.com, are $20 for soft cover and $15 ebook
Contact Info:
- Address: 2951 Marina Bay Dr #130-316
League City, TX 77573 - Website: www.lorrainegrubbs.com
- Phone: 281-813-0305
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=lorraine%20grubbs%20team%20building%20expert
- Twitter: lorrainegrubbs@grubbslorraine
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainegrubbs/
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