Interview with Leonard Lee

An interesting article (including a link to a podcast interview) about how Leonard Lee got started in the woodworking tool business. Lee Valley Tools, for those of you not in the know, is one of the leading purveyors of high-quality tools for woodworkers.

Would you leave the security of a government position to build your own company? This week’s Podcast is with Leonard Lee a recipient of the Order of Canada and founder of Lee Valley Tools, a leader in the woodworking and gardening tools business. Leonard started his career as a civil servant and worked for the Canadian Department of Industry for over 17 years. I admire both the products, and type of organization that Lee Valley Tools represents. Leonard, was willing to share with me both the story of his own career and his advice in leading strong healthy companies.

Leonard worked in a number of roles, within different countries for the Federal Government. Upon returning from Peru as a trade commissioner, he struggled to find his niche. What troubled him was the more and more of his colleagues were literally counting down the years, months and days until they could retire- in a sense, they were living for retirement. For Leonard, the office felt more like a penal colony than a productive, healthy work environment. Leonard shares his perspective on the 3 phases of building a healthy career.