Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1533364
Key Philosophies of the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees In life, if we are fortunate, we have many mentors who inspire us throughout our careers. These leadership philosophies are my guiding principles. Many of them have been the culmination of learning from my mentors, and all of these principles, I teach to my mentees. Lead with Authenticity. It's so important that you are authentic in your leadership style and relationships. Authenticity in leadership goes far beyond just being yourself. It means staying true to your core values every single day and leading in alignment with those core values. Leading with authenticity also means being transparent, honest, and staying true to yourself. Authentic leaders get better results because they are able to forge stronger and more meaningful relationships with those they lead and work with both within their businesses and within the community. Remain in Alignment. In everything you do, ensure you're operating in alignment with your personal core values and those core values or pillars of your organization. If you encounter a situation where your values are conflicted with a business objective, you need to take a step back and determine what needs to change in order to get back into full alignment. When you lead and act in alignment with your values, it's not only effective, but it feels right. Do the Right Thing. In every situation, simply "do the right thing." When you manage from a place where you are committed to doing what is right in every situation, you can trust that everything that is within your control will be fine. Often times, we encounter situations that are out of our control, however, if you stay true to "doing the right thing," chances are, your outcomes will always be positive. Give Back. My father always told me, "it's not what you have, it's what you do with what you have." This has guided me my entire life. Think beyond your organization and yourself, and ask: "What can I do or give to contribute to the betterment of my community?" Harness your talents and those of your organization, give of your treasure, use your influence, and help others. God gives all of us many gifts and it's up to us to use those gifts to contribute far beyond ourselves. Make a plan to give back and contribute. Lead with Diplomacy. The beauty of leading is being able to see so many different perspectives to projects, problems, and solutions. Everyone brings something different and of value to the equation and many people have different opinions and ways of handling things than you do. Leading with diplomacy means that you take the time to understand and see those different perspectives by truly listening to what others are saying. When you do this, you can integrate a collaboration of perspectives into your strategy, plan or solution. It will be better as a result. Give It Your All. This is true in business as much as it is in life – give it your all! Intrinsic motivation makes this easy, however, in stressful times if your motivation wanes, learn to look for the opportunity in whatever issue you're facing. Every problem breeds a new opportunity – a new process – something better. It just takes a moment to figure it out. Your capacity for work needs to be strong and constant. Always give 100% to everything you do and commit to doing whatever it takes. It's worth it, and if you feel you do not want to give it your all, ask yourself whether it's time for a change. Play the "What if" Game. I dedicate this one to an old friend. When you are faced with a complex challenge, a concern, an uncertainty, or problem, play the "What If" game. This is an easy exercise where you ask yourself, "What if __________ happens?" Make a list of all of your "What if's" and then respond to those by writing, "Then ________________." "What if ___________happens? Then _____________." By spelling out your concerns, you get them out of your head and you can come up with smart solutions derived from a thoughtful process versus emotional reactions. It works and is effective! Take Care of Yourself If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot take care of others. Exercise, eat healthy foods, participate in things that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Your life is not your work. It is a gift and should be full of everything that makes you whole such as family, faith, and anything else that brings you joy --- as well as your work (which should bring you joy!). When you seek greater balance in your life, you're able to be better in all of your roles including being a more effective leader. Worcester Business Journal Hall of Fame Deborah Penta CEO, PENTA Communications Inc.