Page 43 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2018

“When you’re doing something you love, it’s
easier to enjoy your day and be successful
in your career.” - Teri Eaton
Ron Barnes Chris Cavote Teri Eaton Josh M. Hairston
work your hardest, be truthful and be yourself,” he says. “Don’t live with you bags packed, or in other words, do a good job at your current job. Too often people ignore their current position in the pursuit of another.”
Cavote, general manager of Chevron Pascagoula Refinery, has been with Chevron 30 years and says the best business advice anyone ever gave him is to treat everyone the way you would like to be treated, and treat everyone the same at all levels of the organization. “I always make sure to ask myself — especially in matters dealing with people — ‘is this the way
I would want to be treated if I were the one in this situation?’ and go the extra mile to make sure people feel good about any movement or changes affecting them,” he said.
“As far as treating people the same, I spend extra effort to try to make everyone feel valued
at all levels of the organization. I think this is critical for leaders at my level who need to
demonstrate their appreciation for all the hard work that
all individuals deliver, truly making our accomplishments a team effort.”
In today’s changing world and global economy, Cavote has some advice for young people he thinks will be useful. “Be patient. Companies are changing and evolving, but this will take time. Brave and bold new leadership will be needed to get us past our current leadership paradigms.”
He continues, “Work hard,
be inclusive and a team player and good things will happen in your career. Leaders are always looking for and watching for those who demonstrate great leadership. Treat others well, inspire others to deliver their best, and deliver positive results.”
John Hairston is president and CEO of Hancock Whitney Bank and is also a community leader currently serving as president of the Gulf Coast Business Council. He lists the best career advice he’s ever
received as, “Don’t look for the next employer. Look for the last employer. And, once there, work like every colleague’s future, and their family’s future, depends on how well you perform.”
With his many years of experience in the banking sector, Hairston says to young people considering a banking career, “Work for a company that knows what it believes in and make sure you share those same beliefs. Then, every day of work isn’t work, it’s just living.”
Addressing the Coast business climate, Hairston said, “The business climate is a decision made by the business community. If the community demands a growing economy, it will grow. If the community sits and waits on someone
else to make it grow, then opportunities will stagnate. I am optimistic that the business community is awakening to just how much better we can perform.”
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