Celebrating 30 Years at Deloitte

I was an intern before I joined Deloitte full-time in 1992. As I am celebrating my 30-year anniversary with Deloitte, I can’t help but reflect on how far we have come as a firm throughout my career, and I could not be prouder of the Deloitte Tax practice. We are delivering best-in-class service to our clients, embracing new technologies and innovative methods, and recently, we promoted our largest class ever of new partners, principals, and managing directors.

In addition to these accomplishments, we are increasing connections through our Hybrid Work Model. I am seeing more in-person collaboration in our many Deloitte offices around the globe, increased networking, learning opportunities, and celebrations. There simply is no replacement for in-person interactions to build trust and relationships and enhance on-the-job experiences.

A lot happens in 30 years, and the business world then in many ways would be unrecognizable now. Although time brings significant changes and renders our previous ways of doing things obsolete, it also brings the immeasurable value of experience. Time spent solving problems, discovering solutions, and living and working through significant world and life events, all bring perspective you cannot find on the internet or in an app.

When I think about all I have learned over the past 30 years, I have found there are three pieces of advice that are essential to successfully grow and develop at any level.

#1 – Mentors and mentorship are vital to success

Professional mentors help to instill the right values and take a vested interest in your success. Mentors provide invaluable motivation, help you identify your strengths, and provide guidance on how to fine-tune those strengths into skills that will carry you further in your development. Similarly, the greatest way to learn is often by teaching. Becoming a mentor for someone else and helping them grow as a professional often leads to your own personal growth.

#2 –You are only as strong as your Team

Tax is a team sport, just like most areas of business. Do not underestimate the power of clearly defined goals and objectives to keep a team rowing in the same direction. A team is only as strong as its weakest member and strength comes with training. So, give your team members responsibility. This not only enables them to grow as a professional, but to trust you as a leader.

#3 – Never stop learning

As we grow in our careers and achieve new levels of success, it is important to understand that the learning never stops—it happens every day. After 30 years, I still learn from professionals, peers, clients, and leaders. Being intellectually curious helps you stay sharp and humble.

I am honored to serve as the leader of the Deloitte Tax practice and feel grateful for the experiences I have had over the last 30 years and for the clients and colleagues I have been privileged to serve alongside. I am excited about where we are today and look forward to where we are headed.?