25 Years of YP: ‘YP helped me gain a deeper understanding of my strengths and leadership style’

By Amber Dyer, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing

Average reading time: 2 minutes

To celebrate 25 years of Young Professionals (YP), presented by Fidelity Investments, the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) is highlighting a series of alumni to explore their experiences in YP and the program’s impact on the Dallas Region.

Dom Haskett of Farol Asset Management, LP, found the DRC’s LEAD YP program while pursuing his MBA at the SMU Cox School of Business.

“I sought a program or experience focused on leadership teachings and principles, as the MBA coursework and clubs were more technically oriented,” said Dom. “I had leadership roles in the military, so this was also valuable from a transition perspective as well as growing further into the corporate world.”

One of the principles he learned through LEAD YP was the value of introspection.

“YP helped me gain a deeper understanding of my strengths and leadership style,” said Dom. “This self-awareness is crucial for recognizing what I do best, knowing when to leverage my strengths in leadership situations, and identifying when to rely on colleagues for support. Not knowing what you do best and where the gaps are in your playbook can be detrimental.”

Developing a deeper understanding of his own strengths allowed Dom to appreciate and identify the strengths of his fellow teammates.

“Collaborating on our group project was valuable because I worked with individuals who each had distinct styles different from my own,” he said. “It was fascinating to observe how we determined who would lead specific tasks and identified each person’s strengths.”

Through observing these leadership styles, he discovered that true success comes from authenticity.

“Authenticity means being true to yourself and showcasing the unique traits that define you,” said Dom. “These diverse environments, where varied experiences and perspectives converge, foster innovation and breakthrough discoveries. Much of what you learn in your career comes from the colleagues you encounter along the way.”

For Dom, many of those connections were members of his LEAD YP cohort.

“Connecting with other rising leaders had the greatest impact because it provided a community to grow alongside,” he said. “It’s invaluable to have peers to exchange ideas with and use as sounding boards when making decisions about future endeavors.”

In addition to cultivating a community of emerging leaders, Dom recommends the program to those seeking to equip themselves for long-term success.

“If [someone] is serious about their own professional development and wants to be intentional about growth, this is a great place to start,” he said. “The trajectory is limitless when you begin your journey being intentional about growth.”