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Christy Crowe Childers Childers & McCain, L.L.C. 577 Mulberry Street Fifteenth Floor, Suite 1520 Macon, Georgia 31201 Phone: (478) 254-2007 Email: christy@childersmccain.com www.childersmccain.com CHILDERS & MCCAIN, L.L.C. (478) 254-2007 | christy@childersmccain.com www.childersmccain.com What is the single biggest mistake a small business can make? The biggest mistake a small business can make is not having an attorney. It can be surprisingly affordable and invaluable to have general counsel. The small businesses I represent may only need me twice a year, but there is a year-long benefit to knowing you have someone you can call when the situation arises. What is the single biggest mistake a leader can make? The single biggest mistake a leader can make is to make the same mistake twice. What do you look for and how do you hire good people? We look to hire people who are hardworking, intelligent, and who are a pleasure to work with. We find the best people when we are first introduced to them by someone we trust. What advice would you give business leaders who are facing litigation costs? Filing suit to collect a debt is a cost of doing business, however, litigation should also be a good business decision. Develop a relationship with an attorney who is willing to create a fee structure that also makes good business sense for your company. Tino Sheridan ENVOY MORTGAGE 3324 Vineville Ave Macon GA 31204 (478) 335-5626 Tel. (866) 238-1133 Fax tsheridan@envoymortgage.com What are the most important leadership lessons you have learned over the years? I was very fortunate to have leaders who were also mentors to me in my career. They opened doors and offered opportunities but more importantly, they provided vision. They were great communicators who showed me what the future could be and a clear path to get there. This instilled a "passion of purpose" that carried me through many challenges while keeping me on the right path. What leadership approach is most effective for your industry today? I believe leaders must understand what motivates their followers then lead them toward their own destinations. A leader should help them discover their own vision and then become a partner in their journey. An effective leader must listen and understand what employees are truly saying. What are the 3 most important qualities of a good leader? a. Head b. Heart c. Guts In your opinion, what is the single biggest mistake a leader can make? Managing "things" rather than inspiring and influencing thought. 64 l MACON MAGAZINE NMLS# 149962 GRMA# 26023 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013