3 Lessons Reinforced By Implosion of Sprout Mortgage One Year Ago Today
In our careers, we seek to work with people and companies that are the best.?We look for the best and the brightest so that we might learn from examples, and gain skills to fuel our growth.?Indeed, “if you see it, you can be it” is an oft-used inspirational call-to-action to find managers, leaders, and mentors who can teach us and show us how to become the best.
There’s another, less desirable means to learn - by seeing a stark example of what is NOT good. ?How NOT to lead.?How NOT to behave.?How NOT to treat people.?From poor examples we can still gain invaluable lessons.
600+ Sprout Mortgage team members watched an atrocious example of leadership when the company shut its doors one year ago today.?The business closing was not in itself an atrocity.?But the manner in which it occurred was.?Many businesses fail, and there is not shame in that.?But few businesses end with no advance warning and no communication from the CEO, as Sprout did.??Few CEO’s delegate the notification to an underling to conduct a one-minute duration call with all employees, as Sprout’s CEO did.?Few businesses close without providing legally required and morally compelled information as Sprout did.?Fewer still fail to compensate employees for 3 previous weeks of work, as Sprout did.?Even fewer cancel health care coverage for team members in arrears, as Sprout did. And hopefully NO others refuse to provide validation of closure so that former employees can access unemployment insurance, as Sprout did.? That’s a lot of negative examples and negative lessons!
The pain which ensued was great.?But with a year’s vantage point from which to look back, I’m happy to report that in spite of Sprout Mortgage, wonderful results and lessons were ratified by the experience. These 3 lead the pack for me:
1.????Lesson #1: The Network Works
YOU, the Linked In nation, were incredible!?You provided me and 600 others with support, encouragement, grace and kindness.?You reached out with listening ears and helpful connections.?It is likely impossible for me to overstate how important that support was to all Sprout alum.?Thank you!?After we experienced the worst, you showed us the best of what we can be.?We are all are grateful for it, and eager to pay it forward.?
2.????Lesson #2: People Are – Still - Everything
As Jackie Robinson said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” There are people from Sprout who impacted my life in ways that I will remember and treasure for years to come. Perhaps the most poignant examples come from one very impressive peer noted below, followed by an awesome marketing team with which I was blessed:
Henry Santos – an executive colleague for whom I developed tremendous respect.?His wisdom provided a lifeboat to many in Sprout’s wake.?
Joseph Bartolotta – in leading mar-tech, he was better than anyone at digging into details to solve problems at the root, assuring great results.
Blake Boyer – a powerhouse marketeer who came into her own in a big way at Sprout.?She provided tremendous vision, planning and superb execution.
Jeff Danze – naturally gifted, his patience, digital skills and focus make him one of the very best.?His secret sauce is always enhanced with humor.?
Christina Fisher – I am certain of her upward potential, so I put her with one of my all-time heroes for her next role - she’ll soar with a great role model!
Brandon Linn, M.S. – BRANDon was born to BRAND! NO one is as creatively productive.?He's on a path to greatness. He'll impress the world in a BIG way.
Leticia Ocampo – the most humble and under-rated on the team, she is a rockstar.?The depth and breadth of her business acumen is amazing!?
Monica Owens – quiet while incredibly efficient, she is a planner extraordinaire whose impact was still felt long after her work was done.
Ramiro Pantoja - attitude is everything – and his attitude proves it.?He can leap tall buildings in a single bound because of his positivity!?It’s infectious!?
Mike Shirdel – sought by many for his search expertise, he is always intent on learning more.?His mastery of a changing dynamic is impressive to all.??
3.?????Lesson #3: In the End, It All Works Out
Sprout’s manner of demise was atrocious, but it’s ending has been a springboard to better places for virtually all who were left in its wake.?For many of us whose first move after Sprout was not the best or last, it’s still all good.?And for those for whom it’s not yet worked out, it’s not yet the end.?The best is yet to come.
Good results can still come from evil, and their benefits stand the test of time.??
You learn a lot in situations like Sprout. A lot about yourself, and others. Your INCREDIBLE work and commitment to making your people better off than they were at Sprout is why so many have so much respect and admiration for you as a leader.
Design Specialist
1 年Your ability to articulate the key lessons in business and in life are profound. You, Bev, have the magical blend that is so rare in business. Acute acumen to propel a new or stagnant brand into a powerhouse and genuine caring for the people you work with, so that they grow exponentially as a result of your guidance and influence. When people are cared for and grow, so too do the companies they work for. You have that secret sauce and will forever be my career hero. Thank YOU for all that you do and for sharing your insights!
Working Professional
1 年You always look at the positives when you lose. It is a learning lesson.
EVP of National Sales | Building high-performing teams
1 年Well said. Thank you Bev I enjoyed working with everyone at Sprout to bad it ended early. Your leadership and your team were exceptional and wish you all well.