Diagnostic Essay – Character Traits
Chris Krull ENGU 104
For my essay I decided to choose one of my mentors, Jim Meeks. Jim and I have worked closely for nearly twenty years with two separate companies. He has helped provide me with both professional and personal guidance and helped me navigate some tough waters. Jim has a very calm demeanor, is very friendly and is extremely intelligent. He is honest and is also loyal to those who he trusts. Jim gives
everyone the benefit of the doubt and is extremely approachable.
After watching Jim as a friend and mentor, I was able to model my behaviors after his. He is willing to go the extra mile, if that is what it takes and never complains about it. His character is never in question and operates with integrity. Jim’s ability to influence others is all based on his ability to be approachable and can
calmly diffuse tense situations.
On one occasion, Jim was having a difficult but necessary conversation with one of our franchise partners. The franchise partner left him a voicemail disagreeing
with Jim’s observations on his visit to the market. The franchisee had thought he hung up but had not. He then continued to berate and belittle Jim to his other business partners. In most cases, people would act immediately and potentially seek retribution. Jim was able to keep his cool, call a meeting with that franchisee and his business partners. At the meeting, he played the recording where the franchisee thought he had hung up the phone. Jim didn’t use that as an “I gotcha”, but to wipe the slate clean and work on the partnership and relationship between Jim and the franchise partner. This ended up being the beginning of a great business relationship, in which the franchisee, credits Jim’s ability to accept feedback, remain approachable and willing to start fresh. I personally have seen my management style grow due to Jim’s character traits, and I widely credit that to my success.
