mdsimants' blog

As many of you know, the company for which I work was recently acquired by a larger organization.  The merger of these two companies is basically complete, and the realities of new reporting structures has completely hit home.  For me, little changes at the next next two tiers up, yet beyond that it’s a completely different face and structure.  I thought this might be a good time to stop and say thanks to a few folks for their contributions to my life over the past four years.  I’ll be using initials here, since I have not received permission to publish names.  It is safe to assume that what I am writing here has been said in one-on-one settings to these individuals.  The individuals listed are in no particular order.  Those of you with whom I have made the past four year journey, you will likely recognize the initials.

BH — You taught me that no matter how hard the row might be to hoe, to always do it with kindness, respect, and a smile.  I remember our first trip together to VAB.  You were only a few days into your role, but it was evident that you truly cared.  You understood the importance of putting the employees first — even above the customer.  You understood what it meant to shake a person’s hand and say that you appreciated the work they were doing.  You told jokes in such a dry manner that some wondered if you were joking.  It didn’t take long for you to be in the role before you had your team in a place where they would sacrifice anything to achieve the vision you had established for them.  Most importantly, you taught us that by partnering with your team — no matter how far down the ladder they may be — you can lead them to greatness.  You learned my daughters name on the first day we met.  You were one of the first to send a message on congratulations when my son was born — even though we had only known each other a few days.  When eksimants came to the office with me on Take Your Daughter To Work Day, you came to my desk specifically to meet her.  You were a true diamond.  You were taken from us too soon.  May you rest in peace.  I miss you.  I thank you.

JC — It is easy for me to say that you were easily the best boss that I have ever had.  You weren’t afraid to call me out when I was wrong, but take up for me at the same time.  You knew how to guard your people, correct them, and move on.  From you I learned an immense amount about finance.  It was an area that I had dabbled in previously, yet you made me dig in and learn it from top to bottom.  You taught me to look at things from a dollars and cents perspective, yet also to never lose sight of what made the most sense — people.  You taught me that every decision we made in the “ivory tower” would have a lasting effect on those in the field.  You taught me to respect the field.  You sent me on the road to mend bridges.  I appreciate the trust you put in me in that capacity.  I hope I did you proud.  Finally, by example, you taught me to know when to say, “It’s time to go.”  I didn’t understand at the time why you would do that, but in hindsight I do.  I miss our building 6 staff meetings, and our Starbucks runs.  Thank you for your leadership.

MVD — You taught me a lot about things that I never thought to learn about.  You taught me that life was too short to be upset by mundane things.  You taught me not to be afraid to take a break.  Thank you.

DD — You are brilliant.  You never missed a trick.  Your sense of humor, though, served to place everyone you came in contact with on an equal footing.  I learned a multitude of lessons from you.  Many, you didn’t even know you were teaching.  You taught the importance of family (I never will forget having lunch with you and your son in the cafeteria).  You led by example.  Decisions came quickly, but not without seeking counsel and wisdom.  You listened.  Thank you for leading.  I hope that I followed well.

VCP — You brought me here.  You taught me the ways of the “blue”.  You taught me to look for the obvious, and not to discount it.  You taught me to take chances on people.  You taught me how to communicate with C-suites.  You became a friend to sksimants and eksimants.  eksimants loves talking about you even to this day.   Thank you.

DL — The first time we traveled together, I remember you walking through the call center.  You were way behind schedule.  You had a million things going on.  You ignored your phone and blackberry.  You stopped and talked to front-line representative after front-line representative.  You listened intently to what they were saying to you.  You listened intently to what customers were saying to them.  Through those interactions, you taught me that no matter what level you are on, or how busy you are, you have to stop and talk to the front-line.  Otherwise, you’ll miss the critical component of what the customer’s perception of the organization really is.  You taught me to keep my message simple.  Tell the story in a short and concise a time as possible, and move on.  You taught me to seek out the opinions of your team, make a decision, and then execute.  You taught me that life wasn’t as serious as many of us tried to make it.  You taught me the importance of being approachable.  You taught me that deciding to close a location and displace a portion of the workforce should be the most difficult job you ever do.  Thank you for your leadership.  Thank you for the education.  Thank you.

CT — You are easily the nicest man that I have ever met.  You taught me to fight for your employees — and to fight hard.  You taught me that you have to do hard things in business, but you can’t let them jade you.  You taught me to work decent hours, and know how to turn off.  You taught me that if you put the right team in place, then you didn’t have to spend a lot of time managing them and could focus on expanding their horizons.  You taught me to keep a level head when someone screws up.  Thank you.

JN — Many miles.  Many airplanes.  A few gin-and-tonics.  Many great memories.  Dirt storms, the border, bar-b-que ribs.  You taught me to be a friend.  You taught me that it was ok to take chances on people — even when they were not the popular choice.  You introduced me to the business leadership examples of CostCo, Starbucks, and Howard Schulz.  I never will forget our many conversations over coffee, drinks, or in airports of lessons that could be learned from those organizations and people.  Thank you.

The time that I spent working with each of you is precious to me.  I am so very appreciative of the inputs that you had in my professional life, and know that I am a better business-person because I knew you.  Each of you are key in the formation of my opinions and beliefs about how business should operate, and how it should treat its employees.  I hope that I followed half as well as you led.  Thank you all.