Twenty-three years after starting as Management Trainee in Southern California, Michelle K. has experienced a lot of firsts throughout her career, including opening the Long Beach airport as the location’s first Branch Manager. For six years she worked as Regional Vice President in Dallas before getting promoted to GM of the Kansas City Operating Group in 2014. 

Here’s the advice she’d give her younger self:

On building a career

Your reputation is priceless. Protect it. I say that as someone who never had to answer to social media posts. I understand it’s harder to preserve your reputation today more than ever. With that in mind, be thoughtful in what you put out there.

On being a leader 

Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. Push through and stay the course. Make decisions that benefit the long-term health of your business and the people around it. Be present for your people. Give honest and direct feedback.

On operations

Grow your business and your market share by networking and delivering excellent customer service. Growth cures most things.