Reflections on fresh starts, mentoring and values
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said ,
people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
—Maya Angelou
The beginning of the year is an exciting time for me. Whether I am developing a new business plan for my company, Linc Energy Systems, or adding a fresh coat of paint on my living room walls, I like to feel as though I’m launching off from a dark night into the bright promise of a new day in a new year. It’s also a time to reflect back on special times with my family over the past holiday seasons from the time I was growing up to the present. My son is sixteen and his top Christmas request was for an iPad. Big difference from my hopes for the latest Beatles vinyl record way back when! I also celebrated Linc’s 21st anniversary on January 1. I will never forget the thrill of calling my father to tell him that I was a CEO for a manufacturers’ representative and contractor serving the Natural Gas Industry.
Tags: Mentoring, values, fresh starts, natural gas inustry
I had the luxury of being my own boss, traveling with my dog, Linc, to meet potential customers throughout a multi-state region in the majestic Rocky Mountains. I was confident, imbued with energy and the idealism of youth, and came from good stock, as my parents always reminded me. My values, sense of ethics, ability to believe in myself and take risks were the gifts my parents gave me. These gifts provided the cornerstone upon which Linc Energy Systems was built.My father, Jim Cox, has been a wonderful role model for me. He helped me secure my first job in the oil industry with Anschutz Petroleum in New York City. Dad worked at the New York office of Exxon/Mobil, or Esso as it was known back then. We rode the bus together from New Jersey to our offices in Manhattan and I always bugged him with questions. Patiently, he always set aside his reading material and gave me his full attention. Dad took early retirement from Exxon after thirty years of increasing responsibility and decided to become an entrepreneur. He became President of the Axel Johnson Oil Company and at the same time, filled an opening on the Holmdel, N.J. City Council. This move eventually led to becoming the town Mayor. After retiring from Axel Johnson he became City Manager for two other New Jersey townships. At the “young” age of 82, my father just finished serving as president for his home owners association where he spends the winter months in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Leadership, service to others, honesty, loyalty and hard work are some of the many attributes my father has demonstrated to me through his actions. He has guided me over many years in business as my personal coach and mentor. Maybe the best advice he gave me was “Never announce your position.” While it was originally intended as a driving tip when getting my learners’ permit, the advice helped as I introduced myself to customers throughout the Rocky Mountains while traveling with my dog Linc, as well as enduring these interesting economic times.
As I embark on this new year, I will be mindful of how little things impact people and business. I can only hope I will be as good a mentor and instill the same values and ethics on my son as my father had deep-rooted in me. After all, our children are the future's leaders.
