Fujifilm’s CCO on mentorship: ‘It’s really simple. Pay it forward.’

Anthony Farina calls himself “just a kid from Cape May.” He grew up near the poverty line at the southern tip of New Jersey, and for the first nine years of his life, a speech impediment made him hard to understand. Today he is chief communications and brand officer at Fujifilm Americas after leading communications at several global companies and serving as press secretary to Delaware’s governor.

Along the way, he says, many people “had no business at all to help me.” Mentorship is how he pays them back.

Farina joins me on stage at Ragan’s Future of Communications Conference, Nov. 11-13 in Austin, Texas, to talk about business acumen. Ahead of our session, we talked mentorship and why the two go “hand in glove.” The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Everyone talks about mentorship. What does it really mean?

It’s really simple: paying it forward. Everyone has had someone influence their life. Sometimes people realize it, and many times they don’t. When you realize how fortunate you are, there’s an obligation to give back.

Was there a mentor who shaped you?

It was actually a job I didn’t get. I was a journalist and interviewed to lead communications for Delaware’s Department of Education. I walked in with a plan for the role. But the secretary of education had to hire a political appointee. Instead, he passed my plan and resume to the commissioner of corrections. I got that job, moved into government and eventually became the governor’s press secretary.

He didn’t have to do that. I’ll never forget him.

How does mentorship show up in the teams you build?

I see my role as three things: set strategy and governance, remove the obstacles that keep people from being their best selves, and be the team’s biggest cheerleader.

When I join an organization, I ask people what they want to be when they grow up. Then I often connect them with other business leaders, because my view is just one. At Fujifilm, we created a professional development program where each team member gets a set budget and chooses their own path.

Does mentorship only flow from leader to junior employee?

Not at all. I meet with a mentee in procurement for 45 minutes every month. We don’t talk about communications. We talk about living, learning and leadership, and I’m learning her side of the business. It’s a win-win.

What can readers do in the next 30 days to become a better mentor or find one?

First, be committed. If you’re going to do it, do it right and carve out the time. Second, start small, maybe with someone inside your company or a former colleague. Third, stay connected. I’ve helped upwards of 10 people along the way who are now chief communications officers. We still check in. As leaders, it can get lonely. My relationship with them has evolved to one where you bounce ideas off each other.

How does mentorship connect to business acumen?

They go hand in glove. I hear it all the time: “This business leader just doesn’t get us.” Timeout! What are you doing to build your business acumen? Someone I worked with at CSL took a financial communications seminar as part of their professional development. Now she’s thriving at Bayer. She has a seat at that table because she can carry herself.

Hear more from Farina on building your business acumen at the Future of Communications Conference. Register now.