For President Brian Fricker of Staffing Partners, leadership didn’t come overnight. It was built year after year, decision after decision, and lesson after lesson. From tentative first steps to leading a company of over 100 employees, Brian has experienced firsthand how the role of a leader changes—and how staying grounded in honesty, teamwork, and accountability makes all the difference.
Here’s how Brian’s approaches may resonate with your own leadership, in his own words.
Finding My Footing
I’ll be honest: stepping into leadership wasn’t easy. On my very first day, I had to make a pivotal business decision that would test my authority. Talk about nerve-wracking. I didn’t sleep much that night—and in those early days, I had a lot of nights like that.
We started with four people. Today, we’re over 100. Looking back, those tough early decisions forced me to grow. They taught me that leadership means making hard calls, even when you don’t feel ready. I see this with our clients too – leaders stepping up and rising through the ranks. And hard workers becoming more skilled and in-demand. It feels good to be part of that process.
“If the team sees me pitching in on the small stuff, they know I’ll stand with them on the big stuff.”
Leading by Example
Over the years, my leadership style has taken shape around one principle: never ask someone to do what you won’t do yourself. I’m usually the first one here and I don’t leave until my work is done. If something important is broken—no matter how small—I’ll fix it. If the team sees me pitching in on the small stuff, they know I’ll stand with them on the big stuff.
That’s the culture I want my team to see. When people know you’re willing to do the little things, they’ll trust you with the big things. The same goes with clients. We are always looking for ways to set them up for success, even when it flies under the radar.
“We’re better as a group than we are as individuals.”
Building Culture, Not Just a Company
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that talent alone isn’t enough. Over the years, I’ve interviewed plenty of “professional interviewers”—people who can ace the conversation but don’t deliver on the job.
That forced us to shift how we hire and how we build culture. We stopped looking just for individual performance and started building around teamwork, accountability, and shared commitment. It’s proven time and time again: we’re better as a group than we are as individuals.
Today, that’s what makes the difference for our clients. When they hire through Staffing Partners, they’re not just getting workers—they’re getting people who buy into a culture of reliability and respect.
Evolving With Clients
As our own team grew, so did our clients’ expectations. What was ideal five years ago might not work today. Industries change. Workforces change. Even the way people think about their jobs has changed.
The only way forward is to adapt. We’ve added new divisions, implemented technology that actually makes onboarding smoother, and developed reporting systems that give clients real visibility into their workforce. I’ve learned that if you’re not listening and evolving, you’re falling behind.
“Staffing isn’t just filling jobs. It’s about building trust, year after year.”
Finding Ways to Say “YES”
Throughout the years, clients have requested that we handle their managerial and administrative hires, in addition to providing their labor force. We wanted to say yes right away, but we waited until we knew we could deliver at the highest level. Now we can—we added on a professional division, and it has been incredibly popular. This means that we can place both regional workforces and executive positions anywhere in the country. We have candidates lined up and ready, and we can source applicants quickly too. Problem solved.
That willingness to adapt—without hesitation—is what makes the difference between “just another staffing agency” and a true partner. We don’t know any other way.
What Matters Most
After more than 20 years in staffing, I’ve worn just about every hat there is. And here’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned: staffing isn’t about headcount, it’s about trust.
Our clients call us because they need solutions. They stay with us because they know we’ll show up, we’ll be honest, and we’ll figure it out together. That’s what I’m most proud of—not the growth in numbers, but the relationships that last.
A Different Kind of Partnership
If you’re looking for a staffing company that treats you like a faceless number, there are lots of those. But if you’re looking for a partner—someone who shows up, adapts, and rolls up their sleeves—that’s what we’re famous for.
If your current workforce needs at least one improvement, let’s talk. Not just about headcount, but about building something that lasts. We’re ready to listen.