Around 140 people attended Wednesday morning’s Mainebiz Small Business Forum in Freeport, whose theme was “leading through chaos.”
Panelists at the Mainebiz Small Business Forum offered a glimpse into their leadership styles. Two dominant themes were knowing how to listen and surrounding yourself with smart people.
Around 140 people attended Wednesday's event at Freeport's Hilton Garden Inn. The theme was "leading through chaos."
Insights from panelists
Moderator Andrea Tetzlaff, publisher of Mainebiz, started the conversation by asking, "What advice would you give your younger self?" Here's what the panelists had to say:
Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, would urge her younger self "not to be afraid to make mistakes." You will, she added. "It's how you navigate your mistakes" that counts.
Rebecca Hatfield, chief strategy and growth officer at Hancock Lumber, said that for most of our careers, we're measured by our individual contributions. "When you're a leader," she said, the emphasis is more on the example you set. "The way you show up is more impactful," she said.
Scott Marchildon, vice president and chief development officer at Maine Public, emphasized the need to listen. "When you're in management, you're less likely to need to be right. You should listen. Lean heavily on that. Leadership happens when people listen."
Deborah Bronk, president and CEO at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, also emphasized the need to listen and draw on the expertise of the people with whom you work. "I don't have to know everything. I don't have to pretend I know. Most people will want to help you" understand and learn, she said.
Eliah Thanhauser, president and co-founder of North Spore, said he would "tell myself to listen to other people on the team ... Having more information leads to better decisions."
Offering her own takeaway, the moderator said, "Surround yourself with smart people."
