Instead of a recap of 2011, or listing off my resolutions for the new year, I instead would like to pay homage to some of the mentors who have shaped my last year.
And what better place to start than with the best =)
When I first started at Gangplank, I was terrified of James Archer. For those who know James personally, or have even seen him, you’d know this is completely ridiculous. Regardless, there was something about the way people described him at Gangplank which made me feel like I couldn’t waste his time.
Yet James has let me ‘waste’ his time over my entire career at Gangplank. Whether it is sharing my scattered thoughts to help put them together, bringing risky ideas for guidance or asking him to mediate difficult conversations, James has been a key mentor in my role as Director of Operations.
The lessons James has passed onto me are one of patience and picking your battles. Some might call James complacent, agreeable or easily persuaded. I know this to be quite the opposite. In fact, James will be quite firm when he is truly passionate…and you can’t say no to him. James doesn’t argue unnecessarily, or hold grudges or believe others to be inferior. He doesn’t follow a zero tolerance policy. James gives due process to each situation he finds himself in – making him a great mentor and business owner.
Perhaps the best example of James’ wisdom is in the letter I asked him to write today for future Gangplankers.
1. You’re smart, and you’re used to being right. You’re in a room full of people who are also smart, and also used to being right. Put those personalities together in a room, and you’re going to have a ton of passionate debates about issues that don’t really matter that much. Choose your battles, and learn to let things slide even when you disagree with them.
2. When there’s rough consensus on something, roll with it, even if you were on the opposing side. Your opposition should exist right up to the point that a decision is made, and then you need to get on board. This is because at that point your opposition no longer serves a constructive purpose; it only slows progress, fractures relationships, and serves as a cancer within an organization.
3. People communicate in totally different ways. You can communicate in yours, but you have to let them communicate in theirs. Try to understand what they’re saying instead of focusing on how they’re saying it.
4. Everyone’s doing the best they can with what they’ve got. Don’t attribute to malice what’s more likely do to a lack of understanding, experience, or perspective. At their core, everyone’s a good person.
Thank you James for taking the time to share your wisdom with a young, wide-eyed professional, setting off on her own path. You are a fantastic mentor and colleague.
If you’d like to receive some of James’ advice gems for yourself, he’s available the third Wednesday of each month from 4:00-7:00pm during his Gangplank Mentor Office Hours.
Nice post and amazing tips by James! I too feel lucky to be able to hear his takes on things and enjoy his way of doing things – as do I you!
Great post, what a way to end the year. James’ tips are priceless and can be applied to many situations. Happy New Year & thank you for all your hard work organizing people who don’t want to be organized.