Many years ago I worked for a dynamic leader (LM) who taught me many lessons on leadership. He was an approachable leader, always engaged and an excellent listener. He worked hard at balancing his work commitments with family life (clearly his #1 priority). LM was well known for being a problem solver and the go-to guy for advice on any topic. He was the one executive who everyone trusted, he genuinely cared about our people and let them know they mattered.
Like most people he had his limits, there were times when being the go-to guy became overwhelming but he never let it show or took it out on those around him. He did an amazing job keeping the peace among the local management, his employees and parent company executives. He was consistently positive, optimistic and found the silver lining. I was fortunate to be his sounding board and confidant/support during stressful times when he needed someone to listen.
Somewhere along the way he took an interest in me and could see traits that I quite frankly did not know existed nor did I have the confidence to pursue them. He actually wanted me to succeed, something that was foreign to me. He had confidence in me, trusted me, asked for my opinion, gave me challenging assignments and believed my ideas had merit. Although I was at least 20 years younger than most managers on his team, he never let my perceived youth get in the way of my success. He also was interested in doing better for our employees and our common values resulted in a great partnership.
During the time I worked with LM I had tremendous growth personally and professionally. I learned to listen to my gut and be a positive influence on others. I was the "can-do" manager so this allowed my creative problem solving skills to soar. I worked hard to maintain LM's confidence and earn the trust of my staff and peers. No matter what obstacles came my way, I was committed to seeking positive ways to make our workplace better. After surviving several years of organization chaos, my resilience and positive outlook had turned me into the trusted "go-to" guy for advice on any topic.
The experience of being mentored by someone I respected and admired was truly a gift. I've never forgotten the impact LM had on my personal growth and I'm a better leader because of our time together. Thanks to having a great role-model; I've been able to mentor others and help them reach their full potential.
