“So 4 ½ years ago I was well engrossed in a demanding career with one of the leading global electronics companies as Sr VP. While the experience was rewarding it had, upon reflection, taken a toll on my health and life balance. To demonstrate this point, as I returned home after a long business trip, I sat down with my son who looked upset. I said, “Conner you know that we are buddies and buddies can talk about anything”. Conner, in turn, looked me straight in the eye and said, “Yeah, but you’re not home a lot Dad”. At that moment, I realized my life was out of balance. On the spot, I made a decision to try and change my life.

Within a matter of weeks you found the perfect role with the top Satellite Radio Company in the world. Let’s flip forward two years: My life balance is back, with much less travel. Connor is now in 2nd grade and his assignment was to write an essay about the most important person in his life. He chose to write about his ‘Dad’, and I quote, “My Dad plays with me, my Dad teaches me things and my Dad even got a new job so we could spend more time together”. Well, there is nothing more satisfying than this moment of my life. At that moment I truly learned that knowing the right thing to do is not enough – actually doing it is the key.

Let me open one last chapter. Last year I was diagnosed with a terminal form of Cancer. My prognosis, unfortunately, is three years, of which I have already enjoyed (truly enjoyed) one. My renewed emphasis on Faith, Family and Friends cannot be overstated. So what does this have to do with that? Because I had rebalanced my life, I was able to deal with this news head on. I could not imagine dealing with this life changing reality in a backdrop of untended gardens and broken relationships.

So, how can one person affect the life of another? Now you know and for that, I am eternally grateful to you, Steve. You can’t imagine how positively you affected the quality of my and my family’s life through your encouragement, sensitivity and professionalism. Thank you so much.”

This is the real impact of great leadership and executive search. Not just placing candidates but helping shape lives.