Zared Layne
Estimating Manager, Mount Sterling, KY
Man of many mottos. Committed to developing the entire team. Always ready to learn more.
A motto is a short sentence or phrase that summarizes the beliefs or ideals that guide an individual. Many of us have at least one that motivates us or helps us work through challenges. Zared Layne, Estimating Manager at Olympic Steel’s Mount Sterling, KY division, has three that he references often to help him remain focused on his goals, tackle challenges and find success.
The first motto – Firm. Fair. Interested. Understanding. – Zared learned at the young age of 16 when he began working in the restaurant industry. From an entry level position to management, that motto helped him discover that being firm, fair and understanding of employees, coworkers and customers, while always wanting to learn more, will help him be a good employee, coworker, supervisor and representative of the business.
He took that lesson from the restaurant industry and applied it through his college years at the University of Kentucky and into his career at Olympic Steel. He began working at the Mount Sterling facility as an Inventory Control Associate, taking advantage of every opportunity to increase his knowledge of the metals industry and the division’s processes. He progressed from inventory to scheduling, to programming, before moving to materials management and coordination. Zared’s interest in learning more and teaching others keeps him focused on future accomplishments.
When recalling his proudest moment at Olympic Steel, Zared says, “This – being selected to represent the Company and share my story. This recognition acknowledges the type of team member I am, and I’m proud of that – proud of the role I’ve had in mentoring and training other employees to help them reach their professional goals.”
Building his team is what makes Zared happy to come to work each day. He explains, “I have a great team that works together to get the job done. Every day is different, and we have to be flexible to the changing needs of the business and the team.”
The second motto – Move left or right, but don’t stand still. – Zared uses as a reference to help him tackle challenges. He says, “When you’re faced with a problem, you have to make a move. Base your decision on what you know or what you may have previously experienced, but you must do something.”
And the third motto – Fake it ‘til you make it. – may surprise you as his advice on how to be successful, but here’s how he explains it: “You’re not always going to know the answer or have someone to lean on, but if you commit to learning as much as you can, any mistake you make will teach you far more than when someone else tells you how to get it done.” He adds, “Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know.”
He doesn’t just offer this advice, he personifies it. “Zared is a sponge for new information and has proven that if he doesn’t know something, he will do whatever it takes to figure it out, even if it means teaching himself,” says Jeremy Thiessen, General Manager at Olympic Steel’s Mount Sterling division. “His dedication to Olympic Steel is evident in his ability to assist other employees and customers, while leading a strong team of his own.”
