Early in my career, work was my social life.
There was real camaraderie as clients became friends. And colleagues became people I trusted.
At the time, I didn’t think of this as leadership or networking. It was just shared careers and showing up for one another. Only later did I realize that’s how trust actually gets built.
I went to Grateful Dead concerts, weddings, and even on vacations with people who started as colleagues or clients and became friends. I’m still close with people I met decades ago answering phones in the T. Rowe Price call center.
What surprised me is that this didn’t end as my roles changed.
As I moved into leadership, relationships shifted. You stop bonding over late nights and start paying attention to judgment, values, and whether or not the giving is mutual. That’s where alignment matters.
This photo captures some of my favorite people as we show up for one another: Erika Baez-Grimes, John Yetman, and Tien Wong. We, along with Marco V. Ávila, P.E., were there for our dear friend Tien as he hosted another great entrepreneurial event.
I’d go to the moon and back for these folks!
Leadership is built on who you trust…and who trusts you back!
America Turns 250
America turns 250 today. Fifty years ago, when our country celebrated its Bicentennial, I was 11 years old. I had
