Throwing Rocks into a Lake

Anniversaries are occasions for celebration and reflection. On the tenth anniversary of Ingram’s 40 Under Forty program recognizing Kansas City’s young business and community leaders, we checked in with the program’s alumni.

On the whole this is a stable group. Most are still here in Kansas City employed by the same organizations, though many have been promoted and given additional responsibilities. But some things are different. Some have moved to other companies, some have moved to other cities. Members of the earliest classes are now arriving at the mid-life mark—not old, but no longer young. Opportunities have come and gone. Marriage vows have been exchanged, and some broken. Dreams have been fulfilled, and some lost. Babies have been born. Children have grown. Soccer teams have been coached.

To get a sense of how these inevitable changes have shaped their perspectives, we sent a short questionnaire to members of past 40 Under Forty classes asking them to share with us some of their experiences, advice, and wisdom. Their enlightening and entertaining responses reveal much about the character of these men and women, and provide an opportunity to reflect on what it is that makes them worthy of our recognition.    

We asked our alumni to tell us some of the important things that have happened in their careers since they were recognized as one of Ingram’s 40 Under Forty. As you would expect these people have risen in the ranks, helped their companies grow and prosper, and have won numerous additional awards and accolades. However, most expressed surprise at their own professional achievements. These people don’t feel entitled to success. They don’t presume it. And they don’t expect that past and present success guarantees it in the future. Success is simply the by-product of hard work and it still delights them.

When asked about significant developments in their personal lives, most shared small simple stories, remarkable in their unremarkableness. One said he learned how therapeutic it is just to watch his son throw rocks into a lake. Another noted that her daughter started kindergarten. Two women competed in their first triathlons, and one fellow—whom I won’t name, but with whom I closely identify—expressed alarm at a particularly distressing development. “I can’t seem to find my hair!” he exclaimed. “Has anyone seen my hair?”

We asked these high achievers to tell us what advice they have for young up-and-comers just starting their careers. Most of the advice is straightforward and conventional—work hard, don’t give up in the face of adversity, take risks, dare to dream, keep a positive attitude, go the extra mile, lead by example. But several stressed the importance of establishing a lasting relationship with a mentor early in one’s career—an older, wiser, person who will take the time to firmly and compassionately counsel and coach. Be smart enough to know what you don’t know, be wise enough to find someone who will teach you, they say, and be humble enough to learn. One individual said that her mentor taught her this; Never let success go to your head or failure go to your heart.

Finally, we asked what it is that keeps these people motivated professionally and personally.

Not a one mentioned money. No one said they were driven to be named partner, or become CEO. No one said they were motivated by a need for more power and influence. And not a one said anything about racking up more awards. Most just want to do good work in the company of good people. They want to contribute their talents to making a positive difference in their communities. They want good things for their families. Clearly, they values their values more than the value of their stock options. Not surprisingly, several of our alumni said their faith in God motivates and sustains them. They are guided by something larger than their own ambitions. One person, a very wise person, said she reminds herself everyday that “What you are is God’s gift to you. What you make of yourself is your gift to God.”

Doug Worgul

Managing Editor

DWorgul@IngramsOnLine.com