I recently went one on one with John Harte, Managing Partner of Integrity Governance.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? 

John: While I was raised in a family business my trajectory to being a trusted advisor to corporate directors, senior executives and business owners was not linear. I always wanted to be a veterinarian and was lucky to gain entry to Vet school and graduate., I did further studies in The US after graduation but subsequent to that found vet practice frustrating and took a brave decision to leave veterinary practice and work for a great organization called  Mars Incorporated. Mars was a great place to learn and grow giving me more responsibility and opportunities to develop in a dynamic and challenging environment. After almost a decade of progress and promotions, I left Mars and took a big leap from “dog food”- Mars is one of the biggest manufacturers of pet food to “dog stocks”= working in investment management. My work in investment led to me looking after the financial welfare of vulnerable widows, children, and adults as we dealt with difficult issues of land and money, I saw the very best and the very worst of humanity but gained first-hand experience of how good, effective governance can make a positive difference to people’s lives. That “light on the hill” remains a powerful motivator for me and energizes me in our work with corporate directors, senior executives, and business owners.    

Adam: What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth? 

John: My parents were immigrants from Ireland and their hard work, tenacity and resilience gave our family a work ethic and a hunger for progress that has driven me.  I learned that life is not always linear and you are only as good as the people around you. Early in my investment management career, I was working in a very senior role when there was a change in business strategy post 9/11. I lost my role, and the team I had built around me. That was a big and surprising setback and since then I have been very focused on, making my success rather than relying on a corporation to do it for me. I don’t think I could have the perspective or be as well able to help clients without having gone through such a major setback. My way of making a living, education plans for my family, and even retirement perspectives were torn apart by one single corporate decision. 

Adam: What are your best tips for anyone interested in joining a board? 

John: Go in with your eyes wide open- recognize that an effective board with high-performing directors can transform an organization. Get educated about your duties, responsibilities, and rights.

Be clear about your own value proposition as a director- what is it that you bring to the board and a company, that energizes you and makes you a superlative director.

Adam: What are your best tips for those serving on boards? 

John: Be clear about your role- it is definitely not to be a super manager, to second guess management, or to be an inquisitor. Think about how your board and your personal board service will create value for the company that you serve.

Adam: What are your best tips for leaders on how to best work with boards? 

John: Always be clear about the role of the board and remember the different roles of shareholders, directors, and managers. Role clarity is the foundation of an effective board and of working with a board. Remember that boards are made up of people who have good days and fewer good days. Effective governance relies on three critical currencies:- trust, respect, and honesty. Always work with boards in a way that nurtures trust, respect, and honesty. 

Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader? 

John: Good leaders have the emotional intelligence to listen, the authenticity that they reflect, and demonstrate the values of the company they lead. In today's world, good leaders need to lead with four lines of sight: 

• Oversight

• Insight

• Hindsight and

• foresight

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level? 

John: Invest in yourself, learn from other leaders, learn from your mistakes and don’t airbrush them from your mind, be clear about your strengths and surround yourself with people that are smarter than you. 

Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams? 

John: Understand the strengths of the team and the individuals on the team, and be clear about the team's purpose and what success looks like.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received? 

John: Treat people the way you would like to be treated.

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?

John: In a time where the risks of serving on a board may seem to outweigh the returns, there is a tremendous need for directors that are insightful and emotionally intelligent and who can bring diverse perspectives and deliver better outcomes for the companies they lead in times of uncertainty.  


Adam Mendler is the CEO of The Veloz Group, where he co-founded and oversees ventures across a wide variety of industries. Adam is also the creator and host of the business and leadership podcast Thirty Minute Mentors, where he goes one on one with America's most successful people - Fortune 500 CEOs, founders of household name companies, Hall of Fame and Olympic gold medal winning athletes, political and military leaders - for intimate half-hour conversations each week. Adam has written extensively on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, having authored over 70 articles published in major media outlets including Forbes, Inc. and HuffPost, and has conducted more than 500 one on one interviews with America’s top leaders through his collective media projects. A top leadership speaker, Adam draws upon his insights building and leading businesses and interviewing hundreds of America's top leaders as a top keynote speaker to businesses, universities and non-profit organizations.

Follow Adam on Instagram and Twitter at @adammendler and listen and subscribe to Thirty Minute Mentors on your favorite podcasting app.