My first leadership role

At the age of 32, I was given my first leadership role. I built a regional sales organization at Amex from the ground level up.

To say that I felt "in over my head" is an understatement.

I had been a good sales producer and was ready to step up.

But, I had no experience in leading teams.

I quickly realized had a ton of blind spots.

They always say, "You don't know what you don't know.” But, unfortunately, that adage can trip up even the best of leaders repeatedly.

Everyone has blind spots. It's not a fault. However, an unwillingness to examine these spots or an inability to admit you possess them is a problem.

Because of the blind spots I possessed, I am sure many salespeople did not feel adequately understood, problems festered longer than necessary, it was challenging to motivate the under-performers, and I lacked the gravitas to navigate some of the politics.

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Back then, I wished I had a coach or mentor to help me become a better leader. Results would have come sooner. Confidence would have propelled me forward.

Instead, I was learning on the fly. While many mistakes were made, I would not trade the experience of discomfort for anything.

If I was coaching that overwhelmed guy back in the day, here is what I would tell the young Bill:

• Don’t equate being a strong leader as appearing all-knowing. You will not look weak or indecisive if you seek counsel from people with more wisdom and experience. There is no glory in toughing it or going it alone.

• Be a great leader by modeling how to rely on experts and staying open to your team. Check your ego at the door and acknowledge that you have a great deal to learn

• Broaden the scope of whom you seek a variety of perspectives from. Don’t only rely on the people who look and act as you do. Seek valuable resources that will broaden your horizons.

• Dig in and find out what you are avoiding and what is holding you back. Once you get to the source of your avoidance, you can see weaknesses you need to strengthen.

• Show yourself some compassion. Shortcomings coming to the surface are inevitable. This is not the time to beat yourself up. Progress, not perfection, should be the measure of success.