David Guttman Transformed His Predicted 6-Month Survival into Three Decades of Leadership Through Servanthood
In a swanky Miami high-rise, Dave Guttman's corner office stands in stark contrast to his humble beginnings. Back then, he was merely a 24-year-old managing a help desk, clueless about the significance of stock options—which, surprisingly, ended up paying off big time. This revelation sparked a lifelong vow never to work for a business without a personal stake.
Guttman's life took a drastic turn in the '90s, when as a fit and healthy IT consultant in St. Louis, he was diagnosed with what turned out to be a harmless, benign cyst. The uncertainty and isolation of that experience provoked deep introspection. Was he truly happy, despite his professional achievements? This introspection, propelled him forward to reconsider his priorities.
His father, a pioneering software entrepreneur, taught him invaluable business lessons—the brutal truth about one's competencies, and the folly of overconfidence. After a brief stint at Anderson Consulting, and an eye-opening MBA from Wharton, Guttman moved on to create a search fund with a classmate, investing $450,000 to acquire businesses. Fueled by sheer determination and grit, he rapidly amassed a company with 500 employees, acquiring 13 businesses in just a year and a half.
Guttman stands out as an extraordinary leader—one who masters the art of listening. He never misses a chance to interview every employee when joining a new company because "people have the answers, they just don’t have all the pieces." This skill has empowered him to uncover growth opportunities others overlook.
With little prior knowledge, Guttman revamped a telemedicine company, beating other competitors in the market with an innovative business model. His success hasn't been limited to one domain; he's proven himself in various industries, navigating leadership roles with grace and resilience.
Despite the myriad challenges he's faced, Guttman's humility has remained a constant. He's learned to prioritize his team, embracing the philosophy of "focus on the person first, then the company." That's why, after being fired during the 2020 pandemic, he swiftly offered his expertise to a young entrepreneur in need, while still struggling with the aftermath of his own professional setback.
Career advice from Guttman might appear counterintuitive. He advises against aimlessly 'following one's passion,' suggesting that we should instead develop our skills and invest time in our talents, which often lead to passions later on. And his career continues, offering the next generation new lessons and fresh perspectives on leadership.
Guttman's entrepreneurial journey continued after the 2000s, which saw several layoffs in his companies, but he never wavered in his commitment. He recalled these challenging times as opportunities to learn and innovate, leading to improvements in his management strategies.
In the early 2010s, Guttman's companies had to issue several product recalls due to technical issues. Rather than viewing this as a setback, he saw it as an opportunity to strengthen his quality control measures, ensuring his customers' satisfaction and trust.
As an accomplished entrepreneur, Guttman often shared his insights with aspiring entrepreneurs. He emphasized the importance of understanding the industry's dynamics, citing his experience of setting up an 800 number customer support service, a crucial move that helped his companies provide excellent customer service and differentiate themselves in the market.
