Living with the death of a coworker can be a challenging and emotional experience. Losing a mentor who played a significant role in shaping your career and leadership style can leave you with a sense of loss and grief, but it can also give you an opportunity to reflect on the lessons that they taught and the legacy they leave behind.

One of the most important things that I have learned from my mentor's recent passing is the importance of strong leadership and the impact that it can have on those around you. My boss was a natural leader who inspired and motivated his team to achieve great things, and his passing has highlighted the importance of fostering a positive and supportive work environment. As a leader, I have taken this lesson to heart and have worked to create an environment where my team feels supported, valued, and inspired to achieve their goals.

Another important lesson that I have learned is the importance of cultivating strong relationships with those around you. My boss was someone who valued his relationships with his team, and he went out of his way to build trust and respect with everyone he worked with. In the aftermath of his passing, I have made a concerted effort to build deeper connections with my team members and to foster a sense of community and belonging within our organization.

In addition to these leadership lessons, living with the death of my boss has also taught me the importance of self-care and mental health. The stress and grief that come with losing a mentor can be overwhelming, and it is important for leaders to prioritize their own well-being as they navigate this difficult time. To this end, I have made a point of taking time for myself to grieve, process my emotions, and engage in activities that bring me joy and fulfillment.

Despite the challenges of living with this loss, I have also found a sense of purpose and motivation in continuing his legacy. He was someone who was deeply committed to his work and his team, and his passing has only strengthened my resolve to continue the important work that he started. As a leader, I have taken on the responsibility of carrying forward his vision and mission, and I am determined to honor his memory by achieving the goals that we set out to accomplish together.

Ultimately, living with his death has been a transformative experience that has forced me to confront difficult emotions and learn important lessons about leadership, relationships, and self-care. While the pain of his passing will never fully go away, I am grateful for the time that I spent working with him and for the impact that he had on my life and career. As I continue on my leadership journey, I will always carry his memory with me and strive to live up to the example that he set.

Earlier this month I received news that my friend, mentor and boss Orin McCann, had passed away.

It is impossible to quantify the great sense of loss we all feel, nor can we measure the width and the breadth of his kindness and generosity, his desire to grow people extended far beyond his day-to-day work life.

Orin was a people person, not an average people person, he was a very special individual who had made it his life's goal to reach out and lift up those around him. The number of  successful careers he fostered are too numerous to list.

Orin had the unique ability to look past obvious flaws and see the good in others, he taught leadership with kindness, correction without malice, and lived his life as an example of compassionate leadership.

His memory will live on in the people he shared his life and love with.

As we mourn his departure, remember to share some of the compassion and love he gave us and his legacy of Aloha leadership will be shared long into the future.

Hans J Petersen