Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40: Adam Rosdahl

Adam Rosdahl
Age 33
Chief Processing Officer/VP/Brewer
Norsemen Brewing Company

He works tirelessly to ensure that small businesses, the NOTO area and Topeka as a whole succeedin creating an excellent experience for all. Adamis a member of the Greater Topeka Partnership’s Small Business Council and the North Topeka Business Alliance. In 2017, Norsemen Brewing, Co. and its owners, Adam and Melissa Rosdahl and Jared and Emily Rudy, were recognized as the Emerging Entrepreneur by GO Topeka.

“Topeka is my duty, my responsibility, my lows, my highs, my career, my greatest accomplishment and most importantly my home.”

What is the most important characteristic a leader can possess?
Empathy. Without empathy, it is impossible to lead people. If you are not actively sharing the feelings of those you are attempting to lead, you will alienate them rather than inspire them.

What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Be sure to establish an appropriate relationship with those you are leading. Whether that is being their friend or being friendly while also maintaining your position of authority. This is an important distinction based on your environment that you need to make before entering into a leadership position.

How do you foster creative and innovative thinking within your company?
By asking “why not” as opposed to asking“why.” Having to justify a new way of thinking or innovative method makes people shy away from being creative. As long as there is no foreseeable negative impact, why not?

What brings you joy?
Helping others be happy and doing what I can to ensure that those around me are achieving their goals. I feel that it is impossible to be happy if those around you are not.

Back to full list of 20 Under 40 Honorees

Lisa Loewen | Editor-in-Chief
Erin Aldridge & Enedina Patch | Compiled Content
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