The opportunity to influence, guide, and inspire others toward a common goal motivates many experienced professionals to seek leadership positions. Yet leadership is challenging even under the best circumstances. For this reason, successful leaders benefit from the guidance and wisdom of others at all stages of their careers.
Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, writes that leaders who combine “professional will” (decisiveness, determination) with “personal humility” (an openness to others' ideas and perspectives) contribute best to a positive and productive organization and culture.
We asked several outstanding organizational leaders from diverse industries in New Hampshire to answer the question: What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received, and why is it so meaningful? Their answers reveal the characteristics they have worked to develop, including emotional intelligence, resilience, strategic thinking, tolerance, and charisma.
IT Industry
"So much of the wisdom I’ve absorbed has been from reading books by great leaders and then reflecting, discussing with other leaders, and applying it. Gates Law comes to mind:
Gates Law: “Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate what they can achieve in ten years.” Setting your sights on a longer-term vision is essential. Ten years is enough to do something truly transformative with a team and positively impact generations. One year may be enough time to try something and succeed or fail. If you stay aligned with your vision, mission and core values over a longer period, great things will happen. "
Jason Golden
President & CEO
Mainstay Technologies
Mission: Mainstay’s mission is to give more than we get supported by our vision to positively impact every life we touch.
Health Care Industry
"The best career advice I have ever received was from my dad - “Don’t ever forget where you came from.” He didn’t mean geographically or even my familial roots, but as a staff nurse working nights for many years. My roots were at the bedside, caring for patients with a team that wanted what was best for our patients. My dad’s advice was meaningful because he wanted to ensure that I remembered how I felt working a nursing shift with limited resources that many don’t want to work. We learned how to depend on each other, and to reach out when necessary. We may have felt alone at times, but being part of a tight and dedicated team were qualities that could be carried through my career. "
Tracy Galvin, MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Mission: To advance health through research, education, clinical practice and community partnerships, providing each person the best care, in the right place, at the right time, every time.
Human Services Industry
"I am blessed to have had and continue to have mentors, all community/state-wide leaders, who have guided me throughout my career. The career advice that rises to the top is: “Do what’s right, even when it’s hard,” which means keeping the mission and those served by the organization first. This mentality transcends any one individual, department, or leader and can lead to difficult, but necessary decisions. It is an honor to lead an organization that serves thousands of our neighbors each year, and it is incumbent upon all of Easterseals NH & VT to keep these folks front and center.
Mission: To provide plans of care comprised of thoughtfully integrated services that help those with varied abilities live, learn, work, and play throughout their lifetimes."
Maureen Beauregard
President & CEO
Easterseals NH
Mission: Our mission is to provide plans of care comprised of thoughtfully integrated services that help those with varied abilities live, learn, work, and play throughout their lifetimes.
Nonprofit Industry
"My grandfather (Hiram Stewart Poore) would tell me: “Understand a little about a lot and be prepared to travel between the White House and an Outhouse when necessary”.
His advice encouraged me to always seek diverse academic, personal, and professional opportunities that broaden my world view and potential for service. His words also encouraged me to be nimble and humble in the approach to my professional and personal aspirations. "
Anthony Poore
President & CEO
New Hampshire Center for Justice and Equity
Mission: To advance issues of racial, economic justice, and health equity in New Hampshire.
Biotech Industry
"With deep gratitude to the leaders and loved ones who have impacted my journey, I have adopted a single, clear mantra that informs my aspirations to contribute to my community, the nation, and the world: “People first, mission always.” When career advancement is approached not as personal elevation, but as an escalating contribution to humanity alongside a team, astounding transformation is possible. The relentless pursuit of benefit to others – to people and mission – brings a collective source of joy and fulfillment to our team at the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute. Here in ReGen Valley, we are seeking to build the epicenter of a new industry, generate inclusive growth and opportunity, and enable the equitable distribution of novel therapies that will save millions of lives."
Jennifer MacDonald, MD
Chief Operating Officer
Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute
Mission: To build a diverse and innovative cell, tissue, and organ manufacturing ecosystem that will fundamentally transform healthcare for chronic illness and traumatic injury; and to build the capable workforce essential for that industry.