Recognizing One of the Great Ones

Today I learned that a true leader in our firm is leaving our company and moving on to another challenge. So, in a rather uncharacteristic move, I wanted to send a very public thank you to a man who has made a great difference in my career. Although he won’t be remembered as my first boss (that was many, many lifetimes ago now) or even as the boss that first hired me into JLL, he will be remembered as the boss that most changed my career. 

I believe we classify our work managers into three types of ‘buckets’ -- those who you hope and pray you never cross paths with again, those whose names you barely remember, and those who you credit with giving you impactful skills which change the way you worked. Mike Thompson fits securely into that third bucket. He is a true leader and a thoughtful visionary who not only helped to create and guide the success of an entire division but also helped create and then guide the success of countless thankful team members -- including yours truly.

Mike supported me in my career before I had proven myself in this firm. If you ask most people, they will tell you how rarely that happens. Typically, the mantra is -- show me what you can do and then you may be promoted. I had the fortuitous chance to be led by someone who acted differently -- I know you can do this, here’s your next opportunity to prove me right. Mike invested in me at a time when that was scarcely done, and he believed in my abilities at a time when I didn’t quite believe in my own skills. He challenged me to be a leader and then most importantly supported me and “had my back” while I dove into unchartered territories. I’m not the only one who has had this experience. Everyone I know who has worked with Mike tells the same tale of being motivated by his strength, support, and encouragement. He is the kind of manager who is a game changer and if you had the good luck to be on one of his teams, you were sorry to hear the news today that he won’t be with our company any longer.

Sending such a public message of thanks on LinkedIn may seem unusual but I believe this platform is where many people look to understand more about great companies and great management. I am where I am today at JLL thanks in no small part to a firm which had programs that allowed a leader like Mike to flourish and support his team. I take this moment to thank him, wish him well and encourage others to firmly plant themselves into that third bucket. Always strive to be a leader who not only makes a lasting positive impact on the company you worked for but also on the people you lead.