P. Mike Taylor is a partner and founder of Taylor Engineering Inc., a 56-employee civil engineering, surveying and landscape-architecture firm. The company has offices in Spokane, Pullman and Coeur d’Alene. After serving eight years in the Army Corps of Engineers, including in Vietnam, he became an owner in 10 businesses ranging from a family farm corporation to business coaching. He serves as vice chairman of Empire Health Services’ board of directors and is a director on AmericanWest Bank’s board. He also serves in several community-service organizations. He and his wife and best friend of 26 years, Linda, have four children and five grandchildren.

Somewhere, I developed a knack for surrounding myself with bright and able people; it helps to keep focus off my shortcomings.

My uncle Bob spoke of the power of forgiveness and the poison of hatred. He said, “Life is like a fireplace mantle. You choose what you put on it to look at every day. It can make you happy, or it can trouble and anger you. What you put there to focus on is completely your choice, and so are the consequences.” We can all work on forgiveness.

My business partners Mark Aronson, Ron Pace, Chris Mansfield, Stan Stirling and Dave Larsen are all unique and accomplished. Though each has his own talents, the team chemistry took us from two people in 1985 to our current level. We are aligned on quality, responsiveness and innovation. The partners and company’s employees do lots of fun things together. We work hard to be an employer of choice.

As a small business founder, I’ve learned much through board service. You can pick up the best practices observing larger organizations. It is also great networking. My experiences on the AmericanWest Bank’s and Empire Health Services’ boards of directors have been extraordinary. Both are challenged industries. Certainly, both of these boards have risen to the challenge.

In particular, the Empire Health challenge has been staggering. We have huge time demands and difficult decisions, one after another. What a class group that entire board has been. I particularly appreciate Ron McKay, of Global Credit Union, and Judy Cole and Bill Payne, both of Avista. They’ve been exactly what the situation called for and superb in their performances. I would literally trust them with my life.

Mom (Ella Mae Pilcher, 92 years old) and I have lunch every Wednesday. What a treat. She is sharp as a tack and a real kick. This special lady has been my touchstone and mentor all my life. To this day, she lives in service to others. I believe she is showing us a path.

With the help of all of these inspirational people, here are some axioms I’ve learned that work for me:

• Every day is a present. Make the best of it.
• People pull better than they push.
• People generally make their own luck.
• Collecting enemies is not a prescription for success.
• Experience is a collection of unrepeated mistakes.
• The art of confronting without offending can solve a lot of issues

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