photo by steed media service

Donna James knows how to keep herself busy. As managing director for Lardon & Associates, she advises companies through their board of directors and provides guidance on governance, new business development and leadership development. In addition to her position at Lardon & Associates, James serves on the boards for three Fortune 500 companies. She has very clear ideas about how an individual can maximize his or her potential in corporate America.

“Relationships [are important] … managing them, trying to keep and build them,” says James, adding that one must also be clear about the financial side.

“It’s one thing to be fiscally responsible in your business, [but] being financially and fiscally responsible personally is [also important],” she continues. “For me, taking the time to save — when I wasn’t thinking about exiting or leaving — put me in a position to say, ‘I can go; I can do this.’ I have more business than I have time, in part because I’ve intentionally limited how much time I spend.”

In addition to managing one’s time, James believes in the power of mentorship. “It’s important to have mentors and to be a mentor. I don’t like the mentor relationships when it’s a one-on-one and ‘I expect you to spend time with me once a month.’ I think situational mentors and multiple mentors are important, because [they] may be able to help [a mentee] in one specific area,” she says. -todd williams

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