Emerging leaders reflect on the lessons that shaped their growth.
“If you could go back and give your younger self advice based on what you know today, what would you say?”
Nicholas Duffee
Cardinal Carryor Inc., Louisville, Kentucky
If I could give my younger self advice, I’d make it clear how important communication is, and that tone is important, no matter what tool you utilize to send or share your message. I’d remind myself to get comfortable utilizing constructive criticism to help drive success in my team while making sure I acknowledge my team’s strengths. I’d explain the importance of remaining humble when receiving constructive criticism myself and how that criticism is intended to help me find success.
I believe it is critical to be positive with myself to avoid falling victim to my own anxiety and stress. I’d elaborate on how this will impact my performance and leadership. I’d explain how my personal life and work life need to be separate and to give my all in whichever of those spaces I’m in.
Another piece of advice I’d give myself is to embrace change. I would explain how the world will always be changing, and that I must be prepared. I’d make it clear that both coaching and encouraging people to change are necessary in order to keep up with the ever-changing world we live in across all aspects of life. The change always requires an effort to stay educated on how the world is changing and stay on the front side of the curve to ensure my teams and I don’t fall behind.
Cole Daniel, Transportation Dispatch Supervisor
Gregory Poole Equipment Co., Raleigh, North Carolina
If I could sit down with my younger self, I’d share two things I still remind myself of every day.
First: You’re going to face tough decisions, no way around it. When that happens, lean on your company’s core values and think about what’s best for the customer, even if it’s the harder choice. Don’t overthink forever. Get creative, weigh your options, make the call and move forward. I believe adaptability and decisive action will shape your success more than anything else.
Second: You never know what opportunity is around the corner. So, show up every day curious, eager and ready to learn. Bring energy and a growth mindset to everything you do. Those habits open doors you didn’t even know existed, and they’ll lead to success both personally and professionally.
David Fishburn, Marketing Manager
WireCrafters, Louisville, Kentucky
Networking is the most important skill to have. If I could go back, I would have taken a few opportunities earlier on in my career that I think could have had a major impact on where I am today. Building relationships in this industry is crucial not only to your company’s success but also for your personal brand. Lastly, I would tell myself that failure is OK as long as you learn from it and you don’t make the same mistake twice!
Stephanie Garrett, Parts Sales, Pricing and Systems Manager
Toyota Material Handling, Columbus, Indiana
If I could go back and give my younger self advice based on what I know today, I would say:
Building strong relationships is the key to both personal and professional growth and success. Meaningful connections not only help you get things done more effectively and efficiently, but they also foster a positive work environment – a place where you genuinely want to spend your time. Never underestimate the power of collaboration, empathy and trust in everything you do.
Garrett King, Mechanical Engineering Manager
Silman Industries, San Leandro, California
The advice I would give my younger self is to never be afraid to admit what you don’t know and to make a habit of understanding the why behind everything you do. Too often, we avoid asking questions out of fear of appearing inexperienced, when in reality, acknowledging what we don’t know is a sign of self-awareness and growth.
It’s perfectly acceptable to say, “I’m not familiar with this process – could you explain it further?” or “Pardon my ignorance, but why do we approach this task in this way?” While asking these questions may feel uncomfortable at first, doing so not only deepens your own understanding but often encourages others to engage, ask questions and think critically. This, over time, creates a culture of learning rather than complacency.
Will Maybury, President
Maybury Material Handling, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
If I could go back and give my younger self advice, it would be that confidence in my own path will prove far more meaningful than any approval I might seek from others. It is so easy to get caught up in what other people think of you and compare your progress with others to measure your own success. In doing so, insecurities or jealousy will prevent your own growth. Remain true to who you are and celebrate it. And invest $100 in Bitcoin in 2010.
Rod Szalay, Engineering Manager
Conveyer & Caster–Equipment for Industry, Westlake, Ohio
I think it would be that logic isn’t enough on its own. I used to think that if I explained something clearly, people would automatically understand me. I didn’t realize how much communication is about what someone is feeling, not just what they’re saying.
I’d tell that younger version of me to slow down and really learn how to listen, not just to the words, but to the tone, the frustration, the hesitation, the things people don’t always put into sentences. Try to understand where they’re coming from before trying to fix anything. Sometimes people don’t need an answer, they just need you to show that you’re with them.
What I’ve learned is that empathy doesn’t weaken your reasoning. It gives it direction. It helps people trust you, and it makes conversations, even harder ones, more productive and more human.
If I had understood earlier that good communication comes from clarity and empathy, I probably would have connected with people in a way that felt easier and more natural on both sides.
