I think we all had someone in our youth who influenced the way we conduct ourselves now, but has anyone acted as your mentor/motivator/inspiration since you've been an adult? Is there anyone who you look to as an example?
and if you're willing to share, who are they and how do/did they influence you?
and if you're willing to share, who are they and how do/did they influence you?
My old boss, Tom, at Merck. He was such a great person, kind and giving, really really smart, yet humble enough to be able to ask for help when he knew you had more expertise in an area than he did. For someone who went from zero to PhD in about 6 years total, at MIT no less, which is pretty impressive, he doesn't have an ego nor does he look down on the lower life forms that work for him. He always respected my opinions, sought them often, especially on personnel matters, which were not his forte, and was always willing to listen when any of us had a personal issue that really had nothing to do with our job but was affecting our lives. He truly cares about people, not just process, and those types are rare in the corporate world.
I still remember him breaking down in the staff meeting when our coworker and dear friend Chuck died back in the fall of 03. He was a month away from retirement and at 54 years old had a massive heart attack and died suddenly. It rocked our whole group, but Tom especially since he had hired Chuck and worked with him for over 20 years. One amazing person indeed, and someone I would love to be even half as good as someday.
I still remember him breaking down in the staff meeting when our coworker and dear friend Chuck died back in the fall of 03. He was a month away from retirement and at 54 years old had a massive heart attack and died suddenly. It rocked our whole group, but Tom especially since he had hired Chuck and worked with him for over 20 years. One amazing person indeed, and someone I would love to be even half as good as someday.
I have several, really, but the first that comes to mind is:
Garrett is my role model for how to treat people. He has an iron-clad code of ethics that is in force regardless of how nasty someone has been to him. He always takes the high road. Always.
Garrett is my role model for how to treat people. He has an iron-clad code of ethics that is in force regardless of how nasty someone has been to him. He always takes the high road. Always.
Two peeps come to mind:
Mr Aire and WWMMD? (What would my mother do?)
They both affect me profoundly, for the better.
Mr Aire and WWMMD? (What would my mother do?)
They both affect me profoundly, for the better.
My Dad. He has a very strong work ethic that I admire.
My Gramma who always wants to make sure everyone else is OK. Always putting others first.
My Gramma who always wants to make sure everyone else is OK. Always putting others first.
My best friend, Dave. He was there for me during a time in my life that I was really down. He lifted me up and continues to be beside me. He's my sounding board for a lot of my life decisions. He's not shy about saying "what the he!! were you thinking?"
Besides Mark Ryan Roberts and Todd Richard Branch?
Peekay gave me inspiration. He's by far the most influential person for me as an adult.
For work stuff, I had a great mentor early in my career that taught me the importance of thinking for myself and not becoming a corporate sellout losah. Always focus on the big picture and do things that are inline with long term success.
And I currently have a great running mentor that has helped me achieve things in the last 2 years that I had previously thought were not possible (for me).
Peekay gave me inspiration. He's by far the most influential person for me as an adult.
For work stuff, I had a great mentor early in my career that taught me the importance of thinking for myself and not becoming a corporate sellout losah. Always focus on the big picture and do things that are inline with long term success.
And I currently have a great running mentor that has helped me achieve things in the last 2 years that I had previously thought were not possible (for me).
I guess my Dad was and still is.
He always did whatever he could for us and even when we didn't understand why he did things he was doing what was best for the family.
Now he steps up and offers help if he can and I will always appreciate it.
He always did whatever he could for us and even when we didn't understand why he did things he was doing what was best for the family.
Now he steps up and offers help if he can and I will always appreciate it.
I don't know how many times I've said this...
My Grandfather
My Grandfather