Questios and answers:  Article appeared in Corridor Magazine    www.GregsCornerOffice.com

What was the best advice you ever received and how did it shape the way you manage?
Answer: An early mentor of mine was a successful business owner. He advised me to hire people “better than me, people who had talents, expertise and passions which complemented mine and which potentially exceeded my capabilities.” The rationale for this advice was that capable people under/behind me would make me look better and ultimately help us to accomplish the end goal. I took this advice to heart and always hired and cultivated staff who seemed smarter, more motivated and more creative than I was at the time. No one succeeds alone/in a vacuum-having a great team has helped me accomplish more.

At the core of your position, what would you say are the two things at the top of list in terms of your daily “musts”?
Answer: Number one is organization. I am extremely organized. It makes me more efficient, faster, more effective. It also serves as a good example for those around me. Number two is detail. I pay attention to the details and I never lose sight of them. I keep lists of my priorities/to do’s.Although I may move things from list to list, I never let things slip through the cracks because they remain on the list till done.

What is a core passion or peeve of yours- in life or in business?
Answer: In both life and business, I have little tolerance for people who don’t bother to read what’s in front of them. From the people who only read the first two lines of an email or letter to the people who refuse to read all the instructions- it drives me crazy. I read everything. Now, I realize in this fast paced society, we often have limited time and attention span. And, I have changed my way of doing things- ex. I write very brief emails , expecting the reader to look at the subject line and maybe one or two more lines and that’s it However, the ability to read quickly, understand fully and assess and react appropriately can be a means to quicker, more accurate resolutions. So, I urge everyone- pay attention, read what’s sent to you and react once you have all the necessary details.

Tell us something that most people don’t know about you.
Answer: I am a Disney fanatic- with focus on the core “fab five”- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Goofy. I collect Disneyana, visit Disneyworld, wear Disney jewelry, furnish my house in Disney. All Disney collectibles welcome!

When it is all over how would you want to be remembered?
Answer: I would like to be remembered as someone who cared and someone who gave back. I have tried to be of value to my family, my friends, my staff, my colleagues and to those who cannot always adequately take care of themselves. And I will continue in that way as long as I can.

About Roslyn Goldmacher