Executive Series: Bosses—The Great Ones

In this “Executive Series,” Pat Stortz, head of internal communications at AT&T, shares experiences from her 16+ years developing and executing PR and employee communications strategies at AT&T.

His name was Reynold Levy, and I worked for him, on and off, for about five years. He was one of the “great ones”—a boss whose positive influence on your life and your thinking far outweighs the time you actually spent working for them. If you ever have the chance to work for one of these rare and mythical creatures, I have three words for you: Show some gratitude.

There’s a very good chance you’re having a once-in-a-lifetime experience (maybe twice if you’re really lucky). There are lots of really good bosses out there, for sure. But, in my opinion, there aren’t too many great ones.

Anyway, this is what Reynold did for me. He:

• Treated me like a trusted partner
• Made me feel smart
• Gave me great work
• Was a true mentor, in word and deed
• Did the unasked for and unexpected thing. For example, in the summer of 1988, Reynold threw me a shower for baby #1—on a Sunday, in a restaurant, with my closest colleagues in attendance and my husband by my side (it was a little awkward, but we had a great time anyway). 

You know that line about those people who can walk with kings and yet keep the common touch (Rudyard Kipling, I think)? Reynold was one of those. Today, he is president of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. But back in the day, he was just my boss. Of course, he was also the guy who founded the original AT&T Foundation, and the senior officer in charge of government relations. And before AT&T, he had already served a seven-year stint as the executive director of the 92^nd Street Y. I won’t start listing his degrees, but there were at least four of them—J.D. and Ph.D. among them.  You get the picture.

Demanding, brilliant, soft-spoken but short-fused, Reynold definitely filled the room. And, yes, he could be very arrogant—many people were afraid of him—but we worked well together and, like I said, he gave me great work to do (and he did throw me that baby shower).

One other thing: in 1993, he plucked me out of my then-current assignment and gave me the opportunity to support and experience the global part of AT&T’s business. When I took the job, I didn’t realize I was making one of those career- and life-defining decisions. At the time, I had two kids, both younger than five. Say what you want about equality in the workplace,  I most likely would have been passed over (or not even considered) for the position, but for Reynold’s willingness to bet on me.  

Reynold Levy left the company in 1996. His own career aspirations went far beyond AT&T. But 15 years later, I’m still supporting our global business (among other things) and loving it. Thanks, in large part, to a boss who believed in me.

I would have walked off a cliff for him.

Great bosses know how to cultivate loyalty for life from the people who work for them. And they understand—and live—the concept of paying people in the currency of their realm.

Some people’s currency begins and ends with money. Other people want time. Still others may simply want to be left alone. But I absolutely believe that just about everyone wants to be respected and affirmed for what they bring to the job every day. I also believe no-one forgets the random acts of kindness that great bosses give freely when the time and circumstance warrant it. I know I didn’t.

So, have you worked with a fabulous boss during the course of your career?  If so, I’d love to hear the story. I’ll bet it’s a great one.