Begin with Gratitude

I invite you to take a moment in this season of Thanksgiving to reflect on the people who have made an impact in your lives. Call to mind the people who have invested in your success. Those who have cared for you when life was hard. The people’s whose character serve as an example to you, in life and work.

And then, make the effort to let them know what they meant to you. Begin with gratitude.

Keep reading to learn about the person that is coming to mind for me this Thanksgiving.

I wish each of you peace, love, and joy this Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you have the chance to reach out to someone who has made a difference if your life and say Thank You.

A Word of Thanksgiving

8 years ago, I had the privilege of being introduced to one of the best men I know.

A few weeks later, Jeff Smith and I began a conversation about how I might contribute to the expansion of his successful business, which, at that time, was Voltage Leadership Consulting.

In the coming weeks, we learned about each other and discovered that many of our values matched: family comes first, be of service, do the right thing and be honest, even if it costs you, love everyone – even and especially the difficult people, and, above all, have fun!

The conversations were enlivening, but I did my diligence. I called around to some of the people I’d met in the Roanoke Valley (8 years ago I was a newcomer to SWVA) and I learned that his stated values matched his reputation.

I joined the firm and for the next 7 years I was honored to call him my colleague and have him as a mentor.

I have had a front row seat to Jeff’s leadership and decision making and watched him navigate the challenges and opportunities laid before him with his character intact. Every leader is tested as they navigate critical decisions and turning points, and I saw early on that I could trust this man’s character. He is continually learning, owns his mistakes, and unfailingly looks for and finds the best in people.

This is part of what makes him a great coach.

As the years went on, I would learn about his extraordinary energy and pace of life. I would see his patience, his kindness, his humility, and his strength. I experienced Jeff listening.?He listens with a depth born of curiosity and compassion. He is disarmingly non-judgmental. In time I would watch him deploy all this as an effective, understated negotiator, which was a fun experience of his competitive edge encountering his character.

Then, two years ago, as the pandemic was emerging, I was diagnosed with what would end up being Stage 3 breast cancer with the additional challenge of a potential early-stage thyroid cancer. My relationship with Jeff shifted as the challenges of the times impacted all our lives, and I got to be on the receiving end of Jeff’s choices and commitments.

Through 2020 I had 5 surgeries and what I thought would be a 2-month medical leave has extended into 2 years as complications intervened, stalling my return to work.

Jeff, once again, came to the occasion with his kindness and character leading the way. He covered my short-term disability out of company funds, paid my salary until my long-term disability policy kicked in, and maintained my health insurance coverage through the end of 2020. Those acts of generosity and kindness erased something important from my treatment and recovery: financial insecurity.

He gave me the gift of peace so I could focus on my health.

My absence created a hole in our profitability, during which he continued to pay all our support staff. “It is the right thing to do,” he said.

He and Beth brought meals and updated me on the goings-on in the business world (Turbulent. Stressful. Continually Evolving.), kept me abreast of my clients, and, coached me through much of the unknown of that time with care and an abiding friendship. My illness and recovery were made easier because of the help, kindness, and practical support he, Beth, and the Voltage team offered me.

In late 2021 I was released back to part-time work. As 2022 comes to a close I am preparing for my next chapter.

As I begin this transition, I want to offer a heartfelt “Thank You!” to Jeff Smith, a leader whose character, commitment, competence, and courage I deeply respect and admire.

Jeff, thank you for being someone who believed in me then and believes in my now, as I remake my life. It has been the privilege of my professional career to call you my colleague.

Jennifer