Sometimes the best career lessons don\u2019t come from a mentor.<\/p>\n
They come from someone you promise yourself you\u2019ll never become.<\/p>\n
Early in my career, I worked for a retirement plan firm where employee turnover was so frequent that I joked we should install a revolving door at the front entrance.<\/p>\n
The reason wasn\u2019t difficult to identify.<\/p>\n
The COO viewed talented employees as threats instead of assets.<\/p>\n
People with new ideas were ignored. Employees who solved problems weren\u2019t rewarded\u2014they were viewed with suspicion. Instead of building a stronger organization, management seemed more interested in protecting titles and egos.<\/p>\n
The result was predictable.<\/p>\n
One by one, good people left.<\/p>\n
Some started their own firms. Others joined competitors. Many became successful because they were finally allowed to do what they were good at.<\/p>\n
Watching that unfold taught me far more than any management seminar ever could.<\/p>\n
Leadership isn\u2019t about making sure you\u2019re the smartest person in the room.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s about hiring smart people and giving them every opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re afraid someone will outshine you, you\u2019ve already failed as a leader.<\/p>\n
The strongest organizations I\u2019ve encountered aren\u2019t built around one indispensable executive. They\u2019re built around teams where people trust one another, share ideas, and celebrate each other\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
Ironically, the COO who tried so hard to protect his position ended up teaching me one of the most valuable business lessons of my career.<\/p>\n
Leadership isn\u2019t measured by how many people work for you.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s measured by how many talented people choose to stay.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Sometimes the best career lessons don\u2019t come from a mentor. They come from someone you promise yourself you\u2019ll never become. Early in my career, I worked for a retirement plan firm where employee turnover was so frequent that I joked … Continue reading