Paying LEADERSHIP Forward

By: KIRSTEN RUTHERFORD, TBWA\CHIAT\DAY

Noted.

In the midst of penning a blog post on leadership, a letter was left on my desk.

From a departing colleague; a member of my creative team. A man who I believe has all the qualities of an amazing leader. He’s calm, considered, talented and humble. Above all, he’s kind. The strange part is, he doesn’t realize how incredible a leader he is going to be. Thankfully, time and experience will make sense of that.

His letter stopped me in my tracks. And made me grateful for the position I’m in.

I owe my leadership style to my first advertising mentor- a Creative Director whose kindness left a lasting impression. And it seems perhaps that I’ve been able to do the same.

What a wonderful privilege to be able to pay it forward.

(Names removed from the letter, for obvious privacy reasons)