Strategy & Leadership

Life Lessons from Leadership

Life lessons often teach us how to embrace change, overcome challenges, and be a better leader. Here, local leaders across industries share the best life lessons they’ve learned and how they apply them to their careers.

Will Clegg, Partner, HHM CPAs

The best life lesson I’ve learned throughout my career is to never forget your “why.” You enter your career eager to accomplish so many things, chasing goals and milestones. But at the end of the day, you have to pause and ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” When I ask myself that question, my answer is – and always will be – incredibly easy. My “why” is my kids. MK, William, and Jamie are my greatest accomplishments in life and bring me more happiness and joy than anything else ever could. They are the reason I work hard. They are why I strive to be successful. They are why I want to show them that their dreams are never too big to accomplish. So, I’ll ask you – what is your “why” and how has it pushed you to become the best version of yourself?

Matt Gibson

Matt Gibson, Ph.D., FACHE, President & CEO, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation

Everything happens for a reason, both personally and professionally. I have been fortunate enough to gain widely varied experience over the years working in hospitals and health systems. Initially, a new responsibility or project may not always seem relevant or meaningful in regards to my career objectives. However, all of these diverse undertakings have been formative and have equipped me for broader leadership responsibilities down the road. More than once, the purpose of a new role or responsibility became much more obvious to me years later. Doors will be closed in your career and others will be opened. Again, it will often be revealed to you later how it all works together in God’s plan for your life.

Hamp Johnston

Hamp Johnston, President & CEO, RockPointBank

Don’t be afraid of failure. Ironically, that mindset can help you be more successful. Determine your priorities and be curious about what is around you. The objectives that have led me are helping people with their financial needs, serving the Chattanooga community, and being in a position where I have a significant impact on strategy as opposed to solely executing it. A variety of roles within banking at different institutions helped me to develop personally and professionally. I learned (and failed!) in all of them, and they all contributed to me becoming a co-founder of RockPointBank.

Renee Murley

Renee Murley, Ed.D, Head of School, Boyd-Buchanan School

Life is full of conflict, whether in our personal lives or our professional ones. Over time, I’ve learned that how you respond in those moments matters just as much as the decision itself. Two lessons in particular have shaped the way I lead and approach problem solving. First, it’s important to slow down and really process all the information in front of you before making a decision. It’s easy to jump to conclusions or make assumptions when you don’t have the full picture. But when decisions are rushed, and key details are missed, mistakes are far more likely. Second, lead with a listening ear. In both organizations and relationships, people want to know they’ve been heard. Giving others the space to share their perspective often leads to better insight and stronger decisions. Taking time to ask questions, gather information, and seek understanding before acting allows leaders to move forward with clarity, wisdom, and fairness.

Whitney Evans Snardom

Whitney Evans Snardon, FACHE, COO, Parkridge Medical Center

One of the most enduring lessons I’ve learned is that effective leadership requires both grit and rest. As a leader, grit provides the resolve to persist when challenges arise and adapt through changes. However, grit alone is not enough. Without rest, even the most driven leaders lose clarity, creativity, and endurance. A mentor once told me that leadership is much like physical training: you can and should push hard in moments that demand it, but progress and longevity come from recovery. The greatest leaders pursue a clear vision, inspire others, and model sustainable leadership. For me, that balance between grit and rest makes excellence at work and presence at home possible.

James Scotchie

James Scotchie, CFP, Private Wealth Advisor, Oracle Wealth Management

There are so many great sources of career advice and no shortage of people happy to share with you how to be successful. The best life lesson I have learned is there is no shortcut or substitute for hard work. For me, the key critical components of building a successful career are showing up every day, putting client needs first, and being honest and fair with everyone. Early on, I was fortunate to have good role models and aware enough to know I didn’t have all the answers. Being a good listener and willing to adapt to a rapidly changing business environment are keys to long-term success.

Michael Sutton

Michael Sutton, President, Chattanooga Heart Institute

The most important life lesson I’ve learned is that integrity must guide every decision, especially when the facts are uncomfortable. Beginning my career in public accounting taught me the discipline of relying on data, asking hard questions, and letting evidence – not emotion or pressure – drive conclusions. As my career progressed, my faith reinforced that truth and integrity are non-negotiable, even when shortcuts seem tempting or outcomes are uncertain. Today, I apply this lesson by grounding decisions in accurate information, maintaining transparency, and holding myself accountable to both professional standards and personal values. Trust is built when people know your work is honest and your word is reliable. In accounting and in life, doing the right thing consistently creates credibility, resilience, and long-term success.

Dean Krech, CPA, Managing Partner, JHM CPAs

Business is all about relationships. In accounting, the numbers may be precise, but the work is profoundly relational. Early in my career, I believed technical accuracy was the ultimate measure of success. Experience has taught me otherwise. Culture – how people communicate, collaborate, and feel valued – often determines whether good work becomes great work. Trust is built not through spreadsheets, but through consistency, empathy, and listening when conversations are uncomfortable. Every client interaction and internal meeting is an opportunity to reinforce credibility and respect. The business leaders I respect the most understand that leadership is not positional; it’s relational. They set the tone by how they treat people under pressure, during deadlines, and in moments of disagreement. In a profession grounded in compliance and accountability, strong culture is the quiet differentiator. When people are seen, heard, and supported, accuracy follows – and so does long-term success.

Marc Cromie

Marc Cromie, MD, Board Certified Allergist, Chattanooga Allergy Clinic

One of the most important life lessons I learned came early in my work life, long before medicine, while working as a waiter. That experience taught me the value of respect, listening, and treating every person with kindness, no matter how busy the day or how challenging the situation. In service work, you quickly learn that people want to feel heard and valued, and that the way you treat someone can make a lasting impression. I carry that lesson into my medical career every day. Whether I’m meeting a patient for the first time or caring for someone I’ve seen for years, I strive to listen carefully, show empathy, and approach each interaction with patience and respect. Those principles guide how I practice medicine and how I lead within our clinic.

Kristin Bell

Kristin Bell, CFA, CFP, Director, Southeast, Simon Quick Advisors

I’ve learned that people don’t care what you know or say until they know that you care. While this general concept is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, I learned it by watching my dad, a retired orthodontist and one of the kindest, most patient people I know. He treats everyone with dignity and respect and consistently shows up for family, friends, and colleagues in ways that leave no doubt he genuinely cares. In my career, I try to lead with that same mindset. With my team, it shows up in simple but meaningful ways – taking time to ask about their lives beyond work, offering prayer and encouragement when they’re struggling, and creating an environment where asking for help is encouraged. With clients, caring means listening carefully to understand who they are and what truly matters to them. Trust isn’t earned by sounding smart; it’s earned by caring enough to speak honestly, even when the conversations are hard.

Steve Hunt

R. Steve Hunt, Owner & Principal Broker, Hunt Commercial Real Estate

With over 40 years in commercial real estate, I can confidently say that market knowledge and relationships are the keys to long-term success. The Golden Rule always applies – treat everyone the way you want to be treated. Over the decades, I’ve navigated multiple market cycles, from periods of rapid expansion to challenging economic downturns. Adaptability and due diligence are non-negotiable – understanding zoning changes, tenant demands, and financing trends can make or break a deal. I’ve also seen the value of building strong partnerships with clients, brokers, and local community leaders, as trust often leads to repeat business and off-market opportunities. Always be respectful. Today, the industry is more data-driven than ever, but the fundamentals remain the same: know your market, mitigate risks, and focus on creating value for all parties involved. Experience has taught me that every transaction is unique, and success comes from balancing strategic vision with practical execution and treating others well.

Adrianne Carroll

Adrianne Kinnard Carroll, Senior Vice President, SmartBank

One of the best life lessons came from one of my favorite teachers – my Daddy. He understood tough love, and it shaped me for a lifetime. There was never any doubt about his love, but he wasn’t afraid to deliver discipline and the lessons that came with it. Those lessons have guided me personally and professionally, from leading teams to serving my clients today. Facing challenges head-on rather than avoiding them or hoping they resolve themselves; that is what truly moves the needle. While addressing problems is never easy, doing so with kindness and a genuine desire to create solutions makes all the difference. I hope to follow in my father’s footsteps and leave a lasting mark on my colleagues, clients, friends, family, and my little boy, showing them how deeply I care, even when working through the tough moments.

Carlos Kal

Carlos Kal, Founder, Kals Restaurant Group

Be different. To me, being different is not about being loud or standing above others. It is a personal challenge I carry with me in every field. Especially in the restaurant business, I constantly ask how we can offer something truly different to our community — different menus, different service, a different experience from others in the area. Refusing to settle for what is expected and continually pursuing something new is what “being different” means to me. From folding napkins and resetting tables to selecting ingredients and creating new dishes, I ask myself the same question: “How can we do this with greater care, greater intention, and better than we did before?” Those small improvements shape culture and create an experience guests can genuinely feel. Opening a new restaurant built on a fresh and distinctive concept is not merely a business decision, it is the motivation that strengthens me, even through long and demanding days.

Tonya Hathorne

Tonya Hathorne, Senior Vice President, Business Insurance, Marsch McLennan

Merit does not always determine outcome, and because of this, the best life lessons come after disappointment. An individual can be the brightest, most capable, most committed person in the room and still watch someone else receive the job, the opportunity, or the recognition they believed they earned. During these times it’s easy to question yourself. Outcomes are not always a reflection of ability or intentions. That doesn’t mean we failed. It means we encountered reality as it is, not as we hoped it would be. The moments after the disappointment test resilience, self-trust, and emotional endurance. Choosing to keep going while staying true to who we are and not allowing outcomes to diminish our belief in ourselves is where true personal and professional growth happens. The most defining low can become the catalyst that sharpens clarity, deepens character, and ultimately leads us to people and places more aligned to what we want.

Lainey Roberts

Lainey Golden Roberts, CEO, The Blue Closet

At 23 and just starting my career, the biggest life lesson I’ve learned so far is to listen and never stop learning. I’m early in my career, and instead of seeing that as a disadvantage, I see it as an opportunity. Being surrounded by successful ladies in the same industry is a wonderful opportunity that few get to experience. Working in a boutique and having the CEO see my potential and allowing me to launch a rental program has shown me how quickly retail, marketing, and trends can evolve. What works today may not work tomorrow, so staying curious and adaptable is essential. I apply this lesson by paying close attention to the staff, the customer feedback, and staying up to date on industry trends. Listening and being open to new ideas, I can grow personally and professionally.

Matt Hisey

Matt Hisey, CPA, Partner, Chattanooga Practice Leader, Mauldin & Jenkins

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that clients value how much you care as much as what you know. Success in this field requires more than just getting the math right; it’s about providing the peace of mind that allows a business owner to sleep at night. I apply this by moving beyond simple compliance to focus on proactive strategy. By listening to the stories behind the numbers, I help clients plan for the lives they actually want to lead. For my team, this means fostering a culture where relationship building is as vital as technical accuracy, ensuring we serve as true partners in our clients’ long-term success.

Neha Shah

Neha Shah, DMD, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, Founder, Beam Pediatric Dental Studio

Small, intentional actions, executed consistently, create an outsized impact over time. As a pediatric dentist, I apply this philosophy every day. I maximize appointment time so children never feel rushed. I welcome parents chairside, because trust is built through inclusion. I handwrite notes to every new patient. I designed my practice with soft colors, intentional lighting, and calming details so it feels more like a spa than a clinic. None of these decisions are substantial on their own, but together, they fundamentally change how care is experienced. Over time, those small choices compound into something extraordinary. This philosophy extends beyond my practice. In my personal life, I lead with patience, presence, and repeated acts of care. Because real trust isn’t built through grand gestures. It’s built in the quiet consistency of showing up with intention. Lasting impact is never accidental. It’s intentional, and it’s built one small action at a time.

Jason Allen

Jason Allen, Market Executive, Regions Bank

Always ask the question. Clarity is far more valuable than appearing knowledgeable. Too often, people avoid asking clarifying questions out of fear it will hurt their credibility. In reality, the opposite is true. Not having a clear understanding will always catch up with you, and pretending to be the smartest person in the room eventually gets exposed. Progress comes from curiosity. Asking the next question leads to better insight, stronger relationships, and better decisions. This lesson applies just as much in my personal life as it does in my professional one. Taking the time to listen and seek understanding builds trust and prevents small misunderstandings from becoming larger issues. As a banker, asking thoughtful questions is essential. Our clients face complex challenges, and the best solutions come from understanding what truly matters. Asking the right question isn’t a weakness – it’s a leadership skill that leads to better outcomes in every part of life.

Derick Anderson

Derrick Anderson, CFP, Financial Advisor and Principal, Edward Jones

One of the most important life lessons I’ve learned is that people may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you make them feel. I learned this lesson early through the close relationship I had with my great-grandmother. I adored her, and she showed me the lasting power of kindness, presence, and genuinely caring for others. That perspective has shaped my career as a financial advisor for more than 22 years. Financial decisions are rarely just about numbers – they’re deeply personal and often made during pivotal life moments. My role is to truly know my clients, listen carefully, and provide clarity, confidence, and calm, especially when things get tough. As a principal at Edward Jones, I lead with empathy and trust. When people feel cared for first, they rise to the occasion. When people feel understood and valued, better decisions and meaningful, long-term outcomes follow.

Sandy McKenzie

Sandy McKenzie, CEO, Hamilton Medical Center

One of the biggest life lessons I have learned is to treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of who they are or their role. Everyone has something to contribute, and it takes a team of people for any person or organization to be successful. Recognizing this and giving credit to those who have helped you along the way is important for any leader. As I recognize these individuals, it is very important to me to do this face to face and call them by their name whenever I see them. This creates the connectivity leaders need to have with all their associates and colleagues.

Lisa Lovelace

Lisa Lovelace, CEO, Bradley Medical Center

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that leadership starts with personal accountability. Situations change, challenges arise, and decisions don’t always unfold as planned, but how you respond sets the tone for everyone around you. In my career, I apply this by staying grounded, communicating clearly, and focusing on solutions rather than setbacks. Consistency, integrity, and respect build trust over time, especially during moments of uncertainty. By showing up prepared, adaptable, and willing to listen, I’ve learned that teams are more resilient and outcomes are stronger. Success isn’t just about results – it’s about the example you set while working toward them. You can’t control everything, but you can control how you show up.

Bill Crawford, CEO, Lawson Electric

I’ve spent 40 years with Lawson Electric. The company culture is one that encourages a career path that provides great opportunity for advancement. Our founder Tobe Lawson started this company with this in mind, and it’s one that each of my predecessors has provided over the years. I’ve been given some great opportunities, but they’ve happened because I’ve been committed to the work I was given. My path to becoming CEO started as a wireman in 1986. My bosses knew they could count on me and that the job I was given would be done well. Do what you say you’ll do is simple, but it’s worked throughout my career and continues to be an encouragement I use with our team.

Jeff Bridgman

Jeff Bridgman, Executive Vice President, Studio Bank

One of the best life lessons I have learned is to embrace change. In commercial banking, nothing stays the same. Markets move, priorities shift, and the rules are always evolving. After nearly 30 years in this business, I have learned that fighting change only slows you down. I have come to see change as an opportunity. Some of the most successful clients I have worked with are the ones who adapt quickly and look for ways to improve their position when things shift – they find a new way forward. Leading through change has also taught me that everyone handles it differently. As a leader, I have learned that the best way to support people is to lead by example, stay ready, and show that change can lead to growth. The lesson is simple – change is unavoidable. How you respond to it makes the difference in your career, your business, and your life.

George Wilson

George Wilson, CEO, Southern Payroll & Bookkeeping

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career is this: if I’m the smartest person in the room, I’m in the wrong room. Early on, I realized that growth – both personal and professional – only happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and expand your perspective. I’ve done my best to apply this mindset by intentionally building a team that knows more than I do in their respective areas and empowering them to lead. Remaining humble enough to admit what I don’t know has allowed me to keep learning, adapt faster, and make better decisions for our clients and our company. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating an environment where the best ideas rise, regardless of where they come from.

Michelle Wells

Michelle Wells, Owner, Kitchen Collection

We all recognize that mistakes happen and difficult decisions are occasionally made. However, my goal is to ensure we always use those moments as valuable learning opportunities. Whether a challenge involves a specific team member or a personal setback, I view failure as an opening to grow and improve, provided it is approached with the right attitude and intention. I encourage my team to embrace this mindset as we work together, treating every hurdle as a chance to refine our processes and strengthen our skills.

Garnett Decosimo

Garnett Decosimo, Managing Director, Decosimo Corporate Finance

One of the best lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being selectively and constructively problematic. While working in Washington, D.C., I was assigned an issue that wasn’t particularly exciting and was the focus of only a handful of people. I realized that what was expected to be an easy “yes” vote for my boss was more nuanced than it appeared. I quickly became a thorn in the side of the lobbyists who were not accustomed to receiving pushback on the topic and the leadership who expected an easy win. Although the legislation ultimately passed, I raised my profile as a low-level staffer by diving into a niche issue and respectfully challenging the consensus. This ultimately led to me being offered a position on the committee covering that topic. The lesson? When you’re willing to challenge consensus constructively and in good faith, you can differentiate yourself, raise your profile, and gain trust.

Alex Miller

Alex Miller, Executive Vice President, East, EMJ Construction

One of the most valuable life lessons I’ve learned is that hard work, strong relationships, and attention to detail are what truly separate you from the crowd and create opportunities for advancement. Talent and intelligence matter, but the individuals who consistently go further in their careers are the ones who are willing to put in the extra effort, take pride in the quality of their work, and invest time in building trust with others. I’ve also learned that doing what is right – not necessarily what is easy – is critical to long-term success. There are always moments when shortcuts or easier paths present themselves, but maintaining integrity and accountability builds credibility over time. I apply this by being dependable, following through on commitments, and focusing on the details that ultimately drive better outcomes for clients and teams.

Juli Ann Morgan

Juli-Ann Morgan, Senior Vice President & Commercial Relationship Manager, SouthEast Bank

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that client trust is built through consistency and integrity, especially under pressure. In banking, where decisions directly impact people’s financial futures, trust is the foundation of every relationship. Early in my career, I learned that telling clients what they wanted to hear created temporary satisfaction, but it ultimately ruined credibility. Honest conversations can often be hard to have when striving to win business or maintain relationships, but transparency builds long-term trust. Now, instead of offering quick reassurance or overpromising outcomes, I lead with clarity and realistic expectations, even when the message is hard. Expertise may attract clients, but integrity keeps them.

Don Martin

Don Martin, Chief Administrative Officer, Galen Medical Group

As a child, when I asked “why?” my mom often told me, “Because I said so!” In today’s world, I have learned the importance of the question, “why?” In my parent’s generation, autocratic leadership was prevalent and expected. The workforce did not expect to have buy in or to be asked for input. The difference was the expectations of the workforce, but also they lacked the abundance of information at their fingertips that today’s workforce has. When leading today, it is valuable to communicate the logic behind a strategy or decision. For people to buy in, they don’t necessarily have to agree, but it helps if they understand the “why.” Buying in is dependent on understanding the logic of a decision and how its success impacts them. Today’s workforce wants to know not only what we are trying to accomplish, who needs to do it, and how, but more importantly the strategy behind it.

Matt Covey

Matt Covey, Head of School, Chattanooga Christian School

The most important life lesson I’ve learned is that trust must be built quickly, intentionally, and consistently. High trust creates bridges of connection, understanding, and collaboration, while low trust isolates people into silos where care, clarity, and progress struggle to grow. You cannot build trust from a distance, and you cannot sustain it without action. I’ve learned, often through difficult experiences and personal mistakes, that when trust is low, progress is equally low. Low trust fuels speculation, negative assumptions, and anxiety, ultimately limiting the growth and potential of those you serve. For leaders, this is poor stewardship and can actually cause pain for those who need you the most. In my career, I apply this lesson by prioritizing behaviors that build trust early and often – clear communication, follow-through, and genuine care. Trust is the essential foundation of relationships that produce lasting, meaningful results.

Back to Features