Inspired: Natalie Martin & Aricia Gallaher

Can you believe it’s been 15 years since my just-graduated, 22-year-old self got stuck at a desk right outside your office?
I was so intimidated to be in such close proximity to you – my boss’s boss – while I was just trying to figure out how to function in my first “real” job.

Sitting in my little corner of that office, I watched you handle issue after issue as people popped in and out of our suite day after day, week after week. I saw you navigate difficult clients and scheduling complications and budget cuts and the general complexities of people’s lives. It seemed like all you did was solve other people’s problems, and I marveled at your ability to react – to provide direct and often critical feedback – while still caring for and motivating the people around you.

What I learned is that kindness comes in so many forms. And that sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is to be clear with your message and authentic with your delivery.

Thanks for always being authentically you and for helping me continue to grow into an authentic (if perhaps a bit more polished) version of myself.