Comcast Cable's Steve Gillenwater on Mentoring
By | July 18, 2013
Editor’s Note: In recognition and celebration of the diversity within the cable industry, we will be highlighting some of the 2012 CableFAX Most Influential Minorities and their responses to a series of questions on mentoring, job skills and diversity. For the 2012 CableFAX Diversity issue in its entirety go here.
Steve Gillenwater
Divisional VP, Human Resources
Comcast Cable-Central Division
Tell us at least one true story of a mentor (or mentors) who gave you advice you still use to this day.
I reported to the CEO of Wesley Industries, Inc. as the Director of HR. As I was becoming more acclimated to the operational and financial side of the business, I would often find he and I at the office on Friday evenings. I would go into his office, and I would begin quizzing him on our financial results, operating performance and such. After a couple of weeks of these mentoring lessons, he said “next week, come prepared to give me your insights on the questions you’re asking. I want to get as much from your ‘fresh’ perspective as you get from my experience.” Today, I try to learn as much from my mentees as they learn from me.
What’s the skill that has helped you the most in your career – and what’s the next skill you want to master?
The skill that has benefitted me the most throughout my career is knowing the business. Understanding the business, operational goals and being able to interpret the impact to the human capital is the key.
What advice do you have for young people trying to break into the cable industry?
The recent college grad should come in with the mindset of being a sponge. They should learn as much as they can, as quickly as they can. Most important would be to sign on to additional duties and responsibilities without focusing on additional compensation. If you do a good job, the money will follow.