Stepping into a leadership role can be daunting, and one of the most important things to remember is to listen, says TDC President and CEO David Champagne: “When you go into a new role, you really should be trying to learn, listen, and communicate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to say ‘I don’t know’, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or bounce ideas off your team. Listen, communicate, and be willing to learn.”

David leads TDC with decades of experience in operational responsibility and excellence, having worked for Pfizer for 34 years. During this time, one of the many ways he contributed to the organization's success was by establishing a mentorship program at the Rouses Point plant.

“I’m a big proponent of mentorship, and to me it’s key. I’ve mentored many people in my career and what people don’t understand about mentorships is that a mentor is not someone in your chain of command, a mentor is someone who has no impact on your career but can look at what you do, listen to you and talk to you, and learn from that and give you advice about how to react to certain situations, how to approach them. I’ve always seen and still see the passing on of information as one of my key roles.”

This advice similarly applies to those preparing to retire or otherwise pass their business on. Guidance in this regard should come from allowing the younger generation their own experiences. Says David: “I see in this community today a transition happening with a lot of the older generation retiring and phasing out. Just looking around at some of the businesses in Plattsburgh, you’ll see that. You need to grow the younger generation, you need to give them space to get out there, try something, fail, and understand that you have their back.”

Remember, a range of ages and knowledge within your team can ultimately strengthen your organization. Older members bring their years of experience and proficiency in the field and/or product, while younger members, given the chance, can add fresh insight: “They can bring in ideas and aspects that you hadn’t even considered,” says David.

The important thing to remember is to listen, and value coworkers and team members of all levels. Everyone has something to offer once they feel supported and seen by their managers.