Becoming and being a partner. 16 years this month with one company Baker Tilly US … a company that when I started (ParenteRandolph) it was at 600 total employees and is now almost 7,000. Promotions and set backs and ultimately partner now for 5 years. I was up for partner years earlier in 2014 and could have been a partner now for 10 years. Changes, mergers, business cases. Most wouldn’t have stayed or survived the set back. I learned, grew, was more prepared and it was for the better. It’s the people, the mentors, the leaders, the clients, the work friends, family, the peers that were in the trenches with me and still here, the direct reports and peers that have no problem telling me my shortfalls and how to improve, the consistent push to add value and show your worth. Doing the things you think are right before someone says to do them, researching, questioning, listening, coming up with solutions to problems knowing it may not be right. Being confident when you feel unsure. Being ok with knowing you might be told you are wrong but standing by your principles. Being ok with hearing this isn’t the right time plenty of times knowing the right time will come. Leading people, leading teams, hearing your team members problems, personal or work, being there, being a coach, being the example, telling the hard truth, hearing the hard truth about what you need to learn what you need to improve. Proud of team members and seeing them grow, developing protégé’s, promoting them, seeing team members leave, convincing some to stay, convincing others it’s for the best to leave. Letting people go and not sleeping for nights.
Travel, delayed flights, conferences, last minute cancellations, sponsorships, speeches, volunteering on boards, speaking to 30 people, speaking in front of 400. The applause, the follow up, the smiles, the feedback, the one or two that didn’t like it.
Chasing the number, chasing the win, chasing plan, stressing the day, stressing the losses, celebrating, focusing on the value, keeping perspective, keeping it in check . Knowing it’ll work out, finding balance with family, vacations, sports, coaching, caring about your people, seeing your clients as friends, losing a few, remembering it’s about service, being a servant leader, making mistakes, making sure you are always learning, making sure you are a step ahead, staying late, leaving early for your kids and wife, helping others, adding value . Living life … being a partner, a dad, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend.
It’s been a ride these last 16 years with BT and I look forward to the ride ahead of me with a great firm, people and team. Finding you love what you do and those you work with, and the clients you serve is a special thing, it’s not all roses but it’s worth it!
But keep calm, keep perspective and keep doing the things above and beyond after what is expected of you, at work and at home, and you’ll find your version of success 😎 Cheers.
Senior Business, Risk Management, Legal and Compliance Executive and Advisor; Former Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Fitch Group, Inc.
1moCongrats