Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/153540
ADVERTISEMENT Carmel Sanders ATTORNEY AT LAW (478) 750-9782 577 Mulberry Street Suite 1215 Macon, Georgia 31201 attycarmel@yahoo.com What are your strengths as a leader? The ability to communicate with both my clients, other attorneys and jurors. Good listening skills are the key to a successful litigation practice. Another characteristic that has served me well is tenacity and the ability to never give up. Really, whoever said "it's all in the details" was right on point. What's most important in your job as an attorney? Providing unsurpassed service to my clients. My practice depends on referrals and satisfied, repeat clients. Who have been your mentors? My first and foremost mentor was my Dad who was also an attorney. He taught me from birth that integrity and honesty are the most important character traits. He also taught me the importance of treating everyone I meet with respect, no matter what their position in life may be. What is the best business advice you have ever given? No matter what you choose to pursue as a career path, be the BEST you can be at whatever you do!! What accomplishments are you most proud of? My greatest accomplishment is my children. Being a parent is the most difficult job I have ever undertaken and to see them as successful young adults is by far my greatest achievement. Vicki Mills GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF MIDDLE GEORGIA Director of Marketing vmills@goodwillworks.org (478) 363-1478 When you were younger, were you in leadership roles? Yes, I've always liked working and being involved. In high school, I was a student government officer and president of my high school sorority. In college, I served on an SGA panel and in officer positions of all kinds of student organizations. Very early in my professional life, I was an officer of my Junior League provisional class and served on the hospital volunteer board in Albany. What is your approach to leadership today? I try to give people I'm working with an environment that makes them feel encouraged, instead of being led. I want people to WANT to do things. Above all, I try to be a good listener, and if someone else has a better idea, I want to hear it; if it's better for the organization, then I'm all for it. It doesn't have to be my way or the highway. What are the 3 most important qualities of a good leader? Integrity, honesty and patience. I received a card several years ago, and I keep in a frame on my desk. "Blessed is the leader who knows where to go, why to go there and how to get there." The Rotary Four-Way test is the best way I know to make leadership decisions – Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? In your opinion, what is the single biggest mistake a leader can make? Thinking that leadership by intimidation works. What do you look for and how do you hire good people? I look for a positive attitude, someone I can trust and am comfortable with, and someone that understands the teamwork approach. I trust my instincts. 62 l MACON MAGAZINE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013