“’Being mentored. Becoming a mentor.’
I am the leader I am due to the leaders I have had. Armed with an MBA from an Ivy League school, my first boss at an international advertising agency recognized that my book smart was not impactful smart. He showed me how to toggle between the creative and business cultures by listening well, finding common ground, and setting clear goals. He invested his time in giving me the hard and soft skills I needed, he needed, the business needed. This patient mentoring was critical to my success as it was real-time, real-world. As I moved into positions of increasing responsibility, I followed his example, prioritizing mentoring those I worked with; taking time to share my knowledge and experience. Who knew mentoring is leadership? My first boss did. I do. It made and makes all the difference.”