TAD HILDEBRAND

Q. How has a failure, whether real or perceived, set you up for later success? Do you have a "favorite failure" of yours?

In my first “big boy job,” I had a boss who gave me a day to put together a presentation for the executive team. Not only was this my first presentation in this type of setting, but I completely bombed. To top it off, my boss picked me apart in front of everyone and I was totally humiliated.

The experience taught me two things: 1) Never go into that kind of situation again without solid preparation, 2) Never set my employees up for failure. My job as a manager is to ensure my people have the tools and resources they need, set clear expectations, and hold them accountable.

Q. If you could have one gigantic billboard with anything on it - metaphorically speaking, getting the message out to billions of people - what would it say?

“You are worthy of love.”

Q. In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

1. Extending my life beyond my fingertips and making it about others rather than myself.

2. I’ve spent a lot of time in my career suffering from Imposter Syndrome, and I’ve come to realize that it’s ok to not have the answers. I can say “I don’t know, but I’ll try to find out.” When I have tried to come across as knowledgeable in an area where I’m clueless, people have seen right through me and credibility is lost. When I have had the courage to take the humble approach, people honor that.

Q.What advice would you give a smart, driven college student about to enter the "real world"? What advice should they ignore?

1. Find a mentor and glean as much wisdom as you can from that person and those around you.

2. Don’t shy away from failure or vulnerability, lean into them.

3. Be a servant leader.

4. Have grit. It takes time, experience, tenacity, perseverance, and just plain hard work to become good at something, so be patient.

5. Don’t advance yourself at the expense of others.