When I think about leadership I can't help but think of my grandfather. Although my grandfather held high rank in the U.S. Navy, founded and continues to operate Caithness Energy, served as commodore of numerous yacht clubs, and found great success as a captain in competitive sailing, these are not the titles he has believed that they define him as a leader. As I gained enough experience to join his racing crew, I began to understand why I have seen so many people show such great respect for him over the years, both professionally and at sailing events. The first thing I noticed about his leadership style is his infectious upbeat personality and optimism. He strongly believes in enjoying the challenge of the task at hand and appreciating the team he works with. Because of this, he doesn't let failure get him or any of his team members down; every failure is a learning experience and ultimately strengthens the team. He always has a strong vision of what he wants to accomplish and an action plan for what and who is needed to achieve success. Encouraging individual team members to challenge themselves and draw on their own skills is another important aspect of his leadership style. While he is always willing to help team members successfully achieve a goal, he also has the confidence to allow others to lead when needed. Ultimately, it is the team's success that drives him, not individual accolades or praise. He congratulates and thanks each crew member after each race and invites his crew to accept any prizes they receive. What I learned from my grandfather is that a leader is someone who has the vision to achieve a goal and the information... middle of paper... fights. This allowed for input from every angle. After being promoted to business development manager, I became responsible for overseeing Account Support Representatives (ASRs). I led my ASRs in researching and targeting prospects and creating and executing outreach activities. I have found that providing them with advice from my experience combined with their unique approach and tactics has allowed us to be more effective. It was always helpful to hear their input before and after client meetings and without their support I knew my job would be more difficult. While I know sales can be competitive, teamwork is key. Drawing on the guidance of my grandfather and the many smart people I have worked with, I aim to continue to develop my leadership skills to become the most effective manager possible with the help of Fordham's MBA program.