
The advice columnist Ann Landers, who enriched and provided guidance to the World War II generation, once said: “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.”
All successful leaders, especially entrepreneurial leaders, are opportunistic. The ones who do succeed, not once – but over decades – allow for the evolution of their businesses and themselves, adding timely recognition, hard work and due diligence.The best leaders also are not afraid to take risk in seizing opportunity, even when it is disguised as something less significant than “hard work.”

During the past 10 years, the evolution of RUSH Construction, Inc.’s building and services portfolio has mushroomed. Both Eduardo (Ed) Rabel and William Chivers agreed it did not happen because they cloistered themselves in a boardroom to map out how they would expand. Rather, when opportunities presented, they carefully weighed the risks proceeding only when they found someone with industry experience in that field who fit their culture. Smart, steady growth.