What makes a good leader?
What actions can you take to become an effective leader?
Passero Associates Vice President Jess Sudol, PE and Project Manager Dave Cox, PE recently shared their insight on leadership with faculty and students at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as part of the RIT College of Engineering Technology Dean’s Lecture Series.
“Leadership is all about connecting with others and helping others,” Jess explained. “Digital connectivity is no substitute for authentic face-to-face connections. Reinvent the handshake and meet someone new every day.”
Jess emphasized the importance of Servant Leadership, one of Passero Associates’ Core Values. Servant Leaders put the needs of others before their own and are willing to do any job to support their team and its success. He encouraged the group to look for opportunities to help others, and to create positive change. He asked, “Do you want to follow someone who has your best interest or their best interest in mind?”
“Who you know matters more than what you know, but how you treat who you know matters most,” Dave explained. He discussed the need to forge connections in the marketplace, and how those connections increase your leadership development. Dave and Jess engaged the group in role-playing to demonstrate how to connect through meaningful small talk.
Austin Goodwin, RIT Civil Engineering student and Intern at Passero Associates, shared his story about how, at the beginning of his career, he is already applying these principles and techniques. He demonstrated how the power of relationships could have an immediate impact on other students.
Throughout the presentation, Jess, Dave and Austin took multiple opportunities to energize and involve the attendees, emphasizing their message that creating meaningful connections and reaching out to others is critical to success, both in the professional world and in life.