13. One of the benefits of growing older is that we are increasingly able to reflect on our experiences and learn from them. Have you found any patterns of personal behavior no longer useful in your leadership role? If so, what are these and how have you changed?
Stressing out about the small stuff – I’ve learned that all business goes up and it goes down and you have to be comfortable riding that wave. If you believe in what you are doing and work hard enough you will get the desired results. Sometimes things don’t go as planned but you have to learn how to bounce back. You also need to learn how to disconnect and find ways to relax outside of work. Achieving some work/play balance is important.
14. What leadership qualities do you most admire in effective leaders that you have known? Which of these qualities do you believe best describe your leadership?
Empowering people is an important quality of a leader. That’s something I have to improve on because I’m very capable and tend to think, “I’ll just do it myself.” It’s not that I don’t delegate, I’m happy to do that. But I have a pretty healthy ego, so I like to take things on. I need to work more on empowering the people around me so they also can have a feeling of success. In fact, team consensus-building and empowerment are two things I need to work on because I tend to try to grab attention.
15. What, if any, spiritual traditions or practices do you most draw upon in exercising leadership?
None. I didn’t grow-up with any religion. My father was a member of the ethical culture society, so it was all about morals and ethics. I believe things happen for a reason.
16. How has your leadership style changed as you have progressed in your career?
The biggest difference for me as I progress in my career is that I don’t panic as much as I used to. Thinking back to my 20’s, when I was running a business and would lose a client, I would have been devastated. Today, I realize things go up and down so I don’t panic as much. I also learned early on from my boss never to yell. I’m not calm all the time, but there’s no point in yelling.
17. What is the one mistake you see leaders making more frequently than others?
Not leading. Not providing the management, the guidance, the expertise that is required. There has to be a place where the buck stops, and you have to be a decision maker. You have to be someone who is not afraid to make a decision.
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