Kindness in the executive suite fosters sweets rewards

The first thing that stands out when you talk to Shontra Powell is something not always associated with a super-successful 30-year Wall Street and Corporate America executive: genuine kindness.

Through some technical glitches I was a few minutes late for a Zoom call with Powell in late July. We were going to talk about her high-reaching business and leadership career, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. It’s a diverse list, including Lloyds of London, GE, Johnson Controls and Lee County-based rental car giant Hertz. She’s run billion-dollar business units, and she’s started her own companies. Her mentors and colleagues have been some big-time global business icons — in addition to her parents. But on this day, after I apologized for being late, Powell said no worries and then this: “Thanks for your time. Your time is a gift.”