The Edge for December 2018

It can be hard sometimes to slow down and give thanks. That’s why, during this holiday season, we asked New Jersey Chamber Commerce members to take a moment and send us written tributes to their mentors – the powerful influences that have helped them succeed in their careers and in life. It is evident in these tributes how powerful a mentor can be, and how even a few well-placed words can motivate, inspire and even propel a career. We invite you to read them below:
 

One Phone Call Results in a Lifetime Lesson

In 1990, Anthony Terriciano was appointed CEO of First Fidelity. I had not yet met him and his reputation for toughness made meeting him feel like something to avoid. Following his appointment, an internal memo was circulated announcing my promotion to senior vice president and regional manager. That afternoon I received a call for Mr Terriciano's office. He wanted to speak to me. Terrible Tony wanted to talk to me? I wanted to hang up the phone but it was too late - Tony picked up the line. It was not what I expected. He was calling to congratulate me on my promotion. He told me that he did not care about individual results, and that my performance would be judged based almost exclusively on how well my team members performed.

In that 60-second phone call, Tony defined leadership for me. He exorcised my sense of self-importance. This has stayed with me. Since then, I have viewed success through the lens of my employees – through how well I have coached them, trained them and enabled them to become better. I have replayed that call in my head hundreds of times and I believe it to be single most influential coaching I have received.

– Robert W. Koar, Senior Managing Director, Sterling National Bank

My Mentor Knew Where I Was Going Before I Did

As an MBA student getting ready to graduate, my first mentor, in a casual conversation, started mapping out my career. At first, I thought he was joking. Forty-plus years later, what he mapped out ultimately became the career I embarked upon. While I smiled about what he said to me at that time, I’m glad I paid attention and digested it.

My second mentor is someone whom I’ve always reached out to when thinking about making a job change. She’s a straight shooter, which means she tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Bottom line, a mentor should not sugar coat a conversation with a mentee.

From my mentors I have learned to give straightforward advice and guidance to colleagues and friends. As a mentor to a couple of colleagues now, I continue this practice. I’m glad my mentors were so honest and helpful to me. Their advice and guidance positioned me to be where I am today.

– Ralph Albert Thomas, CEO and Executive Director, NJCPA

Gov. Kean Did Not Micromanage His Cabinets, So Don’t Micromanage Your Staff

When Gov. Tom Kean was selecting his senior staff and cabinet in the early ‘80s, his main message to his appointees was “no surprises, do what’s right.” That simple statement highlighted the importance of delegation. If you hire good people and give them a free hand, far more often than not they will perform – even outperform expectations – because they take ownership of their work and strive hard to live up to the trust placed in them.

I used the same approach as USEPA Regional Administrator, Commissioner of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and President & CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. I never regretted it. Most, if not all, leaders in government, business and the nonprofit sector do not have the time or expertise to micromanage. When they do, the work gets either bottlenecked or rushed through without proper vetting.

– Chris Daggett

My Mentor Threw Me in the Fire and Coached me Along the Way

My first job out of grad school was with a consultation and education unit of a community mental health center in Philadelphia. I was so lucky that my boss was Dr. William (Bill) Passons. He was a brilliant and insightful professional.

Bill didn't believe in insulting his team members by dumbing down expectations. He threw me right into 39 client projects. He was a skilled coach, provided guidance on request, cheered successes, matter-of-factly expected people to correct mistakes, allowed a little leeway in procedures and reinforced the goal of empowerment.

Channeling my "inner Bill Passons" has helped me keep the joy in entrepreneurial journeys.

– Aldonna Ambler, President, Ambler Growth Strategy Consultants

Success is a Balancing Act: Be Thoughtful, and Stay Focused

When I think of mentorship, my mind goes to Howard Cohen. Howard is the former chair of EisnerAmper with decades of experience in accounting and consulting. The things I learned from him — either through conversations or simply by observing him in action—greatly influenced me.

Howard impressed upon me to be thoughtful and be aware of how to conduct yourself. When making a decision or examining an opportunity, give it the thought and attention it deserves. However, keep things in perspective and stay focused on the big picture. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Howard also conveyed that it is important to understand that colleagues will have challenges in their lives and to treat everyone with respect and to try and go above and beyond to help them navigate these challenges.

I often think of the premium Howard placed on open and honest communication, as well as being a good ambassador for the firm and the profession. Howard—deeply respected in the business community—certainly set the mentorship bar high.

– Jay Weinstein, Partner-in-Charge of EisnerAmper’s New Jersey Office and Managing Partner of Markets and Segments

Living up to A Professor’s High Expectations

As an MBA student at the Cornell Business School, I was fortunate to have been taught by a wonderful man who became a lifelong mentor to me. His name is Harold Bierman. Most everyone who has had finance has used Dr. Bierman’s ‘Capital Budgeting Decision’ written with Sy Smidt.

While finance was not my strongest subject, Dr. Bierman was able to hammer enough of it into my head that I can still hold my own when it comes to net present value analyses. In fact I have used the material that he taught me weekly for the past 39 years.

Dr. Bierman taught well into his 90s. I would visit campus every few years, and unannounced walk into his office. He would look up at me, as if he had seen me the week before, and say, “Hi Jeff, come in and let’s catch up.”

Once, during a recession, Dr. Bierman commented on my ability to hire Cornell summer interns. “How wonderful to have conducted your life and managed your affairs in such a way that you are able to do this important and charitable act”

I have tried to conduct myself in that manner every day of my working life and I have done it with him in mind.

– Jeff Scheininger, President, Flexline