My first boss was my best boss (although it would take me years to fully appreciate this). Mr. K was a seasoned retailer who knew the business inside and out. And yet, he took a personal interest in me — a 17-year-old part-timer. He was reliable and consistent in his support — even when some of my harebrained promotional ideas didn’t play out as anticipated. And I could count on him for the truth, whether related to my performance, budgets or opportunities to grow. He recognized my potential and made it possible for me to optimize it. I credit him in many ways for who I am — and where I am — today.
And yet it wasn’t until last year that I fully understood the underlying dynamics at play in our relationship — the dynamics that produced such profound and lasting development.