Topeka's Top 20 Under 40: Pat Colley

Pat Colley
Age 39
Director of Risk Management, Tax, Compliance, Adjustments and Controls
SE2, LLC

A lifelong Topekan, Pat uses his more than 16 years of experience managing risk, his Lean Six Sigma black belt training and his passion for service to help SE2 and give back to the community. He is currently the vice president for the Friends of the Topeka Zoo Board. Next year he will step into the role of president, providing guidance and service to the zoo. Pat, with his Leadership Greater Topeka classmates, organizes the annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign—a school supply drive benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka. He is proud to serve and invest in transforming and improving Topeka’s quality of life.

“No matter how intense a situation becomes, a good leader will respect those involved and slow down instead of reacting too quickly.”

What advice would you give someone in a new leadership position?
Remember that “you can’t manage what you can’t measure” and “communication and respect are key.” There is a way to measure every process or task. A continued focus on data and metrics surrounding key processes will drive quality and success of any organization. In addition, kindness is key in everything that we do. We should always recognize that we don’t know everything about someone else and what might be going on in their life.

What do you do daily to ensure your growth and development as a leader?
Balance and a daily focus on priorities. As I grow older and more experienced, I feel my growth and development continues and is directly attributed to my focus on self-care, my family and faith. An exercise routine helps keep me focused and drives my awareness and critical thinking skills at work. Finding ways to better communicate with my kids and inspire them really drives my confidence and ability to lead others. Personal life balance is so important to an individual’s self-confidence and ability to lead at a high level.

Back to full list of 20 Under 40 Honorees

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