Marc Hafner

My father really is my personal hero. He was born into modest circumstances and through hard work, perseverance and integrity built a successful career, ultimately becoming CEO of the American Heart Association. He showed me that hard work, focus, and listening were all keys to being successful in leading an organization. He also taught me that no one can be perfect so don’t expect perfection, but expect effort and willingness to continue to improve. He taught me that we make things happen through people, not over them. He also encouraged me – and still does today – to try to improve upon what he accomplished as a son, husband and father.

The most important advice I’ve received relates to market timing. I’ve learned that timing is the difference between having a science project and having a true business application.

This is where my obsession with timing comes from – early on in my career I was with a company that had a great technology, but the market and enabling technologies were not yet there to support. Ever since I have made the market timing factor the key consideration when I’m deciding what company to work for.