It has allowed me to make better career choices and find my happiness and riches in things like my family, my friends, and in giving to others. "You cannot take it with you" he always jokes. My father was never driven by money (in fact he will give you the shirt off his back) and this has carried down to how I carry myself. I drive myself. It has also allowed me to not be driven by money. I did not become a better employee and leader until I learned when to pull back on my own DNA and when to keep pushing. Being intrinsically motivated has helped me through change, through chaos and through the unknown. I do not need anyone to push me. Understanding myself. It probably, realistically, did not occur until my mid-thirties. Knowing I have this off the charts competitive drive and need to achieve. Oh yeah, it also takes being able to work with (and support) people smarter than me, different from me, and better than me. It takes energy to build confidence in others. It takes discipline to push their own expectations, it takes compassion to recognize and support their life events, and it takes the ability to not take myself to seriously and let go of my pride of ownership and just push for the best ideas - regardless of origin. It always came back to working together as a team. Everybody has something to add to the team - sometimes we just need to find it or even pull it out into the light. I have said this before, my first boss told me that everyone is a flower, and as a leader, we need to pull them out into the sunlight and nourish them or they will not grow.Īnd getting everyone to buy into the “we” first concept. Teams accomplish more than individuals. Either way, I looked for what could make us successful. Sometimes I selected these teams and other times I inherited teams. I have had some bad bosses, but I have been blessed to have many more great bosses than bad bosses. Then I was fortunate enough to have wonderful bosses. These bosses cared about me and my development. From Dave to Mike to Bob to Jeff and Jeff to Lance to Pat to Michell to Don to Bob and to Vafa, every step at every company I have had bosses who pushed me, challenged me, believed in me and developed me. We are not all always so lucky. About five years later she passed. I decided to double down on being a better human and that kindness mattered more than anything else. I will start with great parents. My parents had high expectations, but also taught me kindness, generosity and caring. Nobody is bigger than the team. “Do it right the first time”, my dad always says. And, I remember, when my career started to take off and I was getting a bit big for my britches - my mom pulled me aside and asked me why I would ever act like I was acting. It was a rare moment, as my mother was always my biggest supporter - but at that moment I had disappointed her. Wow.
Lightning strikes twice plus#
Wow.Īs I look back and try to understand how I was able to achieve more than I expected - I attribute it to a few key things: great parents, great bosses, great teams, intrinsic motivation/a high need for achievement, and also an endlessly positive mindset… plus a bit of luck along the way. Back in 2009, I joined my peers with a different company as we went public on the NYSE. As a kid from upstate New York, I never dreamed of standing there … twice. It was an honor to represent our team on Day One. It was also an honor to ring the bell for a second time in my career. We went public after over a year of great work by many of my team members. A big week this week as I was lucky enough to join our executive team to ring the bell at NASDAQ.
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