Abacoa & Alton Neighbors - October 2025

Keiser University – Flagship Campus O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5 | A B A C O A & A LT O N N E I G H B O R S 15 A s leaders, we have the responsibility to provide the necessary tools and resources for our people to develop and grow. They are our most important asset. One of the mantras I have embraced is PEOPLE GROWTH = BUSINESS GROWTH; lack of PEOPLE GROWTH = BUSINESS IN DECAY. It is common that we make investments in seminars, workshops, conferences, etc., for our people to attend. What I have learned over the years is that the best return is generated from the investment of time and energy we pour into an individual. It’s true, we are very busy, and developing people through mentoring, coaching, and one-to- one sessions takes time and energy. This leads me to share a well- documented story with you. The story of Andrew Carnegie is inspiring and brings home an important message for all leaders. Andrew Carnegie came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy. He had a variety of odd jobs and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time, he was believed to be the wealthiest man in America. He eventually sold the Carnegie Steel Co. to J.P. Morgan in 1901 for $480 million. He donated the current equivalent of $79 billion to various charities, universities, and libraries. At one point in time, he had 43 millionaires working for him. Incidentally, in the late 1800s, a millionaire was a very rare person. A reporter once asked Carnegie how he managed to hire 43 millionaires. Carnegie responded by saying, “Those people were not millionaires when I hired them, but became millionaires as a result of our working together.” The reporter’s next question was: “How did you develop these people to become so valuable to you that you paid them this much money”? Carnegie replied, “People are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold, but one doesn’t go into the mine looking for dirt---one goes in looking for gold. When we invest our time “looking for the gold” in our people, we must have a mindset of belief in them. They have been vetted and are now on the team. Our next step as a leader is to equip them for growth. Please allow me to remind you to never assume you know what motivates someone. Developing people is not “one-size-fits-all”. It is, in fact, personal. There needs to be a connection. Once connected, you can then have trust. Trust is the currency of the relationship; trust is the currency of your leadership. People become inspired to perform when they feel their leader values them, listens to them, encourages them, coaches them, and mentors them. In simple terms, your beliefs in them will strongly influence their performance. My friend and mentor John Maxwell shared a quote from his late father, Melvin. I framed it and have it on my desk to view daily as a reminder to me of my role as a leader-people developer. Here it is: “Build people up by ENCOURAGEMENT. Give people credit by ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Give people recognition by GRATITUDE. SEE AND LEAD PEOPLE AS THEY CAN BE, NOT AS THEY ARE” If it’s true and you agree that our people are our most important asset, then investing in that asset is where there just may be some gold. It will be worth the time and energy. Wishing you all the best as you go into the mine looking for the gold. Bob Fashano is the founder of Lead One Consulting, LLC, an executive Coaching and Leadership Development Company located in Palm Beach Gardens. Bob Is a certified Executive Coach from the Center for Executive Coaching and a member of the International Coaching Federation. He is the author of a recently released book, "Make Today Your Masterpiece" and a new book to be released in the second quarter of 2025. He serves on the Keiser Flagship Advisory Counsel. YouMay Have A GoldMine - By Bob Fashano -