Darden Leadership Lessons: ‘Put Your Own Mask On First’

What makes one successful in business? In leadership? What lessons lead a person to greater opportunities – and help them stay there? Why are the best employees the way they are? Ask a leader today these questions and you’ll get priceless insight drawn from the well of experience.

So we did just that, checking in with graduates of the Darden School of Business who are serving in executive roles leading teams and operations spanning the globe.

Today’s focus:

Pablo Ciano (MBA ’00), member of the Board of Management for DHL Group and CEO of DHL’s eCommerce division. DHL is a leading global logistics company with a presence in 220 countries.

What are the values, practices or traits that have led to success and created opportunity throughout your career?

I have always done the best I could with the opportunity at hand, avoiding spending too much time and energy thinking about the past, future or all other hypothetical scenarios the mind creates. If you do the best you can in any circumstance and you throw your mind and body into the task at hand, it is guaranteed that new and better opportunities will open up for you. The other one is keeping a growth mindset driven by curiosity and willingness to learn at any stage in your career. We are never a finished product and if we embrace that we will always find ways to grow and progress.

What are the common characteristics of the best employees and colleagues you have encountered over your career?

I like to look into three core traits (three “I” principle): Intensity (energy, daily passion), Intelligence (good intellect to solve complex problems and deal with difficult people) and Integrity (ethical and respectful mindset). Of course, if the last “I” is not there don’t bother looking for the other two.

What is the most important “soft skill” for leaders today?

By far, listening. I wish I had paid more attention to that early in my career. I put a lot of focus now on “understanding before being understood.” It is amazing how much I learn when I postpone judgement and listen with curiosity and an open mind.

What tactics do you rely on to effectively lead in such demanding and complex positions?

“Put your own mask on first” is my mantra. Just as we are explained during safety briefings before a flight takes off, you need to put your own mask on first before helping others, the same applies to workplace at all levels. If I don’t take care of my own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual being I will not be at my best at work to help the organization. I encourage all my team members to do so. It is amazing to see how much traction this simple concept gets and how team colleagues appreciate the environment we create to foster that mindset.

This is Part 2 of our series on Darden Leadership Lessons. Read Part 1 with Diem Nguyen (MBA ’01), CEO and director for SIGA Technologies Inc. 

Coming Thursday: Mike McDermott (EMBA ’16), President and CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare.