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Alex Husted

Co-FounderHELPSY

Philadelphia, PA

Member Since February 2021

Skills

Design Thinking
Sustainability
Facilitation

About

Alex is a founder and co-owner of HELPSY, the largest used clothing collection company in the Northeast US. HELPSY is also the only Certified B Corp in the used clothing business. He works tirelessly to curb the massive amount of textiles that are currently discarded and manage a triple bottom line. He also speaks frequently about what it means to be a B Corp and an environmentally focused business.

Published content

13 reasons for leaders to ditch their superiority complex at work

expert panel

Here's why humility and active listening skills are key to effective leadership. Behind every great leader is a great team. The continued success of that team and its ability to thrive, however,  also depends on the manager's ability and willingness to hear their employees out about the challenges they may be facing in the trenches or new ideas they want to bring to the table.  Developing an ego or coming across, more often than not, as a "know-it-all" in one-on-ones or team meetings may be a tell-tale sign that you have a superiority complex, which can ultimately lead your team to failure. The good news is that once you're able to identify your own behavior patterns and recognize you're not the only voice in the room, you'll be able to nip it in the bud quickly and effectively—once and for all. Here, 13 experts from Fast Company Executive Board share how and why it's so important for leaders to avoid a superiority complex no matter where they work. 

Eight ways to get ready for an economic downturn

expert panel

Apply these steps to disaster-proof your business in a volatile market. If the shifting economy has taught business leaders (and consumers alike) anything over these past several years, it's to plan wisely and invest in the future. Keeping your eyes on marketplace trends, signaling what's to come in the future, is also a good place to start when it comes to budget planning and saving. If you're not a numbers person, then bring in a financial coach who can give you the best advice before you make any concrete decisions. In the meantime, eight Fast Company Executive Board members each offer one step you can take to secure a disaster plan for the next financial crisis.

10 ways leaders can encourage team collaboration instead of competition

expert panel

Apply these tips to keep employees motivated without comparing themselves. In a competitive workplace, it's important for leaders to foster an environment where employees feel safe to express their challenges as well as successes without feeling intimidated or insecure about how they measure up to other team members. Bonding over common and personal interests outside of work is another opportunity to strengthen relationships. And when employees celebrate each others' wins and learn how to support others in collaboration it enhances mutual respect and admiration for the next person. Below, 10 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices on how to connect with colleagues in a healthy way without comparing their own success or lack of it.

Why saying 'no' can strengthen a business relationship

expert panel

Maintaining a professional and positive tone, in your response to a colleague's request, can strengthen your business relationship and build common ground. One of the most difficult skills, for some business leaders and their colleagues, is mastering the art of saying "no." This is especially true for those who are just starting out in the industry, trying to become well-established in their professions. On the other hand, saying "yes" to every single project or event that requires your full engagement and bandwidth, can be just as detrimental to your career path if it doesn't align with your business priorities and immediate goals. So don't fall into the trap of being sidetracked.  No matter where you are on the employment hierarchy at your present company and beyond, experts from Fast Company Executive Board agree that turning down a request—from anyone at any level—is appropriate at times in the workplace, especially if you are trying to move ahead on the projects that currently matter most and maintain a good work-life balance.

Thinking about starting a business?

expert panel

When you're a small business owner tasked with juggling multiple areas of the company, it can seem intimidating at times because you want your business to be a success in the industry. You can reach short- and long-term goals by focusing on your own personal strengths. It's best to strategically delegate tasks to key team members because this will allow them to develop and grow professionally. To avoid burnout across the organization, it's also essential to keep your staff's bandwidth in mind from the very beginning. Don't be afraid to outsource other duties as needed. By doing so, your entire staff can focus on what truly matters in efforts to move the business forward one step at a time. New to entrepreneurship and feeling overwhelmed about the business challenges that lie ahead in an uncertain market? Here are 12 experts from Fast Company Executive Board to share their best-kept practices for overcoming the obstacles of running a start-up.

12 ideas to enhance team collaboration and communication skills

expert panel

Embolden your introverted employees to make their voices heard. When you are leading a diverse group of employees who vary in personality, learning styles, and how they participate in the business settings, it's important to tune in to their needs and make sure your entire team is feeling valued in the workplace and given ample opportunities to be heard. Developing multiple lines of communication to enable feedback from every employee on your team is ideal. Doing this will help guide your decision-making process and build on those team suggestions to move the company one step forward in the marketplace.  Below, 12 Fast Company Executive Board members share ideas to encourage introverted team members to speak up during group collaborations, or their preferred method of communication. This is key if you want to avoid always hearing from the same extroverted contributors.

Company details

HELPSY

Company bio

In the US, more than 85% of discarded clothing goes into the trash when 95% could be reused or recycled. HELPSY is working with all stakeholders to keep clothing out of the trash including towns, businesses, landowners, schools and the fashion industry.

Industry

Social impact & nonprofit

Area of focus

Sustainability
Waste Diversion

Company size

51 - 200