Tom Cole: Narrow Gate Partners |Founder and President | Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Relationships

Tom recently retired from a 37-year career in banking.  For the last twenty years, he ran Leveraged Finance business at Citi (2010-2021), HSBC (2008-2010), and Deutsche Bank (1987-2007).  He has held a leadership role in the Manhattan chapter of NCS since its inception in 2008 and has served on the Board of Directors of NCS since 2012, including as Chairman from 2017-2019.  He is currently the Founder and President of the advisory firm Narrow Gate Partners.  In addition, Tom serves as President and is a founding member of Faith in Financial Services in New York.  Tom received his BS degree in Finance from Indiana University and his MBA from the University of Chicago.  He and his wife, Kim, reside in Naples, Florida, and they have three adult children Jenna, Tara, and Jonathon.

On this episode of The Wow Factor, we are joined by Tom, who shares his insights and wisdom on the importance of building deeper professional relationships. He discusses his book, The Narrow Gate: Fatherly Advice for Navigating the Pathway to Your Best Life, based on his life’s journey and the lessons he learned along the way. Tom also shares more about his long career in finance and talks about how leaders can become more effective by listening to their employees and supporting them through difficult times. 

“Chaos provides the opportunity for learning and growth.” - Tom Cole

“When you get to the end of your life, the most important thing in your life is going to be the relationships that you've had and how you've impacted other people.” - Tom Cole

“Your best life will not be by taking the easiest path... it's most fulfilling when you do the hard things to get to the best result..” -  Tom Cole

This Week on The Wow Factor:

• Tom’s early life and when he began to focus his talents on finance and business
• Some of the ups and downs in Tom’s personal life and how that impacted him as a leader
• Tom shares why scripture and God's word steer his life
• Why it was so important to Tom to build genuine relationships in his professional life
• How Tom and his wife look at giving and how they moved from reactionary giving to building an intentional roadmap for their generosity
• Tom’s heart attacks and why they were the catalyst for writing his book as a way to share some of his life lessons
• What fulfillment means to Tom and why it’s essential to take a moment to take a deep breath and really define your purpose
• Why Tom became involved in New Canaan and how the organization serves men today
• Why being a good listener is the hallmark of a good leader
• Why building a  community is the key to intentional decision-making 

Tom Cole:

You need to understand your values, have a true north, and know in which direction you’re headed. So many people make decisions motivated by desire and emotion rather than knowledge, fact, and truth because they’re isolated rather than part of an engaged community. 

Connect with Tom Cole: 

• The Narrow Gate: Fatherly Advice for Navigating the Pathway to Your Best Life
• Tom Cole at the New Canaan Society 

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