If you’re an entrepreneur looking for a new way to take your business game up a notch, one thing worth considering is to find a mentor. Mentors are a great asset for leaders of all stripes, since they allow you to learn from someone who’s gone ahead of you and can advise you about your specific goals and industry. Especially with the rise of career growth-centric social networking sites like LinkedIn, it’s easier than ever to connect with the sorts of business leaders that you’re most interested in learning from.
In addition to finding a mentor online, another thing you can do in the business game, is pay attention to what other influential leaders are doing. Sometimes, looking outside your niche or sector is also beneficial, since it allows you to think outside the box with your own company, too. While there are hundreds of business leaders worth watching, here are just a few of the most inspirational leaders to pay attention to in 2020.
John Foresi
If you pay attention to the real estate industry, you’ve likely already heard of John Foresi. Foresi is a part of Venterra Realty, a management company based in Texas that recently was one of five Houston-area businesses which made a list as one of Fortune magazine’s “Best Workplaces for Women.” He serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Venterra Realty and was also one of the founding members, so if you’re interested in starting your own real estate management company, he’s a great CEO to follow. Foresi was recognized in 2018 by Glassdoor as one of the top CEOs of the year, so he definitely has the respect of the real estate community as well as his Venterra Realty employees.
Beyond his work in the real estate sector, John Foresi has also served as a leader with several tech companies. His specialties at these businesses were more focused on managing relationships with customers and supply chain management, two skills he also brought to the world of real estate. Foresi got his MBA from Harvard University, so you know he has the knowledge to back up his success, and Venterra Realty’s accolades stand for themselves.
Clint Stinchcomb
If you’re more interested in getting involved in the media sector, Clint Stinchcomb is definitely worth paying attention to. He’s the president and CEO of the innovative media company, CuriosityStream. As CEO of CuriosityStream, he’s helped the company raise considerable revenue in the private sector, totaling over $125 million dollars in 2019 alone. Stinchcomb also helped grow CuriosityStream’s fact-based media library as it now features thousands of original series and documentaries, much in the same vein as the Discovery Channel.
It’s important to note that Clint Stinchcomb is different than some of the other CEOs you might come into contact with online, as he isn’t the founder of the company he now runs. He was initially brought on as the chief distribution officer before ultimately being promoted to his new role of president, a few years later.
Howard Fensterman
For a great example of the different kinds of paths you can take once you’ve found success in the business or legal world, look no further than renowned New York lawyer Howard Fentserman. In addition to maintaining his hobby as a collector of gemstones, Fensterman also engages in philanthropy, outside of his work at one of New York’s prestigious law firms. One of the most prominent philanthropic pursuits he’s been able to enjoy, thanks to his success as an attorney, is serving on the Board of Trustees of the Long Island chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Fensterman has also served on the New York State Public Health Council for several years, which just goes to show the many directions a background in law can take you.
