Managing & Mentoring To a Legacy

There are times in your life that change its entire trajectory. And there are times when you are reminded that the most important aspect of one's job is not the revenue you raise for the business but the lives you impact along the way.

If you are in a leadership role at your firm, you have a unique opportunity to distribute the wealth of information you have acquired along your professional journey.  As that leader, it is incumbent upon you to foster those around you and create a next generation of leaders.  If you were lucky enough to have a Mentor help you on your journey, you likely understand the need to pay this forward.  And if you were not lucky enough to have a guide along  your path to success, imagine how you can change someone else's path.

I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with an ex-colleague.  She reminded me that my greatest impact on my previous career was not seeking the top position for new business achieved, it was not the success I assisted clients in, but it was the legacy of mentoring, not just her, but a few others along my travels.  

I was privileged to be involved in the hiring of a few special colleagues early on in my career.  And I was always quite humbled when each made the same comment 'Joanne taught me what I needed to succeed here.'  They were young, eager, and had the intelligence to surpass any success I may have achieved and I will always take with me that I had a small part to play in their upward trajectory.  

One is a white male, one a woman of color, and another, a Veteran.  They are diverse and nondiverse.  They have all achieved the status of Vice President, Senior Vice President, or Market President, Managers in various areas.  I worked hard to ensure their path was met with support and guidance as I had a mentor at the beginning of my journey.  So, I worked on paying it forward.  It was the least I could do.

If you are in Management and/or Leadership, take stock of those around you.  Take ownership in allowing them to have the tools to succeed and move upward.  Trust them to make decisions without you even if they stumble along the way.  You can't do it all and shouldn't do it all.  Do not hold up progress by being an obstacle, be the leader that looks ahead and sees the shadow of what's to come.

Be like our Barbet in today’s Blog photo, take an interest in mentoring the younger ones around you. Pay it forward and take it from me, the day will come that you will smile upon the success of others, knowing you played a small part in that journey.

Be well.