I told my boss several times that my dream was to leave the company someday and teach.
Sounds like I might get fired, right? Well, maybe not …
She was supportive and happy to help me develop my dream.
With Women’s History Month ending soon, I would like to share my story about how the above situation progressed, with the help of my mentor and friend of 35 years.
Her name is Anna Catalano.
We worked together many years ago, with me reporting to her in Beijing, China and later Chicago.
Now why wouldn’t Anna tell me “don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”?
After all, I was basically saying that I felt my purpose in life was to do something else. Instead, she reassured and encouraged me to pursue my passion.
I value Anna and her role in my life. She’s dedicated to family, helping people develop, and connections, and emphasizes balance and fulfillment, personally and professionally.
Mentorship is so important. It aids personal and professional growth, helping people build confidence, develop new skills, and broaden their perspectives.
Anna’s leadership style is BIC, and one that I aspire to emulate. Anna mentors hundreds of leaders, more likely thousands!
I try to pay it forward by creating environments where mentorship and growth thrive, both in my business career and my university teaching.
This often means providing platforms to share knowledge and fostering a sense of community and connection.
In development conversations with members of my team, I emphasize that they should have an updated resume and understand how their skills and experience resonate in the job market.
I believe this makes them a better person and more valuable to me, my team and organization.
And, if I am good enough, I will earn the right to keep them. If not, or if they feel their purpose is something else, I am honored to help them achieve it.
My professional mission and purpose has evolved over time, with a common thread throughout:
→ help people set and pursue their aspirations, and bring their innovative ideas to life.
Do you think this makes people more motivated, loyal, and self-fulfilled? I know it does.
Where did I acquire the conviction that this was the right leadership approach for me? From my mentor, Anna Catalano. Her mentorship continues to this day. Funny story:
Right before I accepted the offer to teach at Indiana University (my first stop), I called Anna for advice.
I asked her if, when we worked together, I had ever told her that my life-long dream was to teach.
You know what she did? She roared with laughter and replied, “Only all the time!”
Grateful for my mentor, those that I mentor, the communities of Amoco, bp, Aral, Indiana University, and now the University of Notre Dame that have been part of my life’s journey and me part of theirs.
Go Irish!
