Photos: Angela Hopper

In our lives, we’re lucky if we encounter one boss who is truly aspirational: that one boss who motivates us to be our best, encourages us to grow personally and professionally, and inspires us to chase our dreams. Least of all, they make Mondays suck a lot less. We’re introducing the leaders in our workforce who set the standard in their respective industries.

1. Dr. Joe Overstreet

The Georgia Eye Institute
gaeyeinstitute.com

For Dr. Joe Overstreet of the Georgia Eye Institute, patience is essential. Whether he’s practicing patience at work or tending to his vineyard, this virtue proves to be the key to success.

South Magazine: In your opinion, what is the secret to success?
Dr. Overstreet: Setting goals and expectations and sticking to them.

S: What’s one leadership skill you wish you’d learned or mastered sooner?
DO: Patience — it’s something we all continue to develop.

S: How would you describe your team?
DO: One word: awesome!

S: What do you think is the most important leadership quality and why?
DO: Integrity. By making ethical choices, we continue to maintain a strong team and keep a positive image. 

S: How do you unwind after work?
DO: I enjoy spending time with family and working outside on our farm and vineyard.

S: What’s your favorite form of self-care to make sure you’re running at 100%?
DO: Frequent trips to the gym during the week ensure I’m feeling my best. Weekends are spent with family on the boat or enjoying the outdoors.

Coffee Strength: Strong!

2. Jessica Mock

Spa owner & Esthetician, Southern Sugaring
southernsugaring.com

“I swear by little rituals, from opening the sunroof and listening to happy music to drinking strawberry seltzer.” – Jessica Mock 

South Magazine: In your opinion, what is the secret to success?
Jessica Mock: For me, the secret is resiliency — a willingness to not only accept change but to embrace it. Challenges will arise but success isn’t working toward a single destination, it’s an adventure.

S: What’s one leadership skill you wish you’d learned or mastered sooner?
JM: I wish that I had learned to trust my intuition sooner. Every time I trusted myself, I made the right decision.

S: How would you describe your team?
JM:  Southern Sugaring’s team consists of determined, empathetic leaders who empower one another, push themselves to be better, take on challenges with originality and enthusiasm, and always keep me laughing. I am humbled by their love and loyalty.

S: What do you think is the most important leadership quality and why?
JM:  Nearly every obstacle is created by lack of communication. Leaders must facilitate and encourage communication in every aspect of operations and prioritize bettering our own. That’s the only way we can expect the same of our team. 

S: How do you unwind after work?
JM: Part of that ‘something to look forward to’ ritual, I try to designate about a half hour before bed to reading. Most recently I finished ‘What Happened to You?’ by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry.

S: What’s your favorite form of self-care to make sure you’re running at 100%?
JM:  I take a weekly painting class at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center. There are so many therapeutic aspects to doing something creative outside of work. Every time I paint, I gain a fresh perspective, a new idea, or sense of calm. 

Coffee Strength: With a generous splash of heavy cream.

3. Will Thurman

Managing Owner, Broker, Bay Street Realty Group
baystreetrealtygroup.com

 “Our clients are our number one priority. Our agents and dedicated staff ensure clients receive the best possible service with our vast global resources.” – Will Thurman

South Magazine: In your opinion, what is the secret to success?
Will Thurman: Strategic planning and integrity. My business partners are like family. Our brand is a name our clients trust as we keep their needs are at the forefront of all our decisions.

S: What’s one leadership skill you wish you’d learned or mastered sooner?
WT: Being a good leader requires constant work and commitment. I expect my team to constantly evolve and stay at the top of their game and I expect the same of myself.

S: How would you describe your team?
WT: My team is elite, built from agents with the highest standards who are local market experts and ‘forever agents’ to their clients, and are here for each other’s successes 100%.

S: What do you think is the most important leadership quality and why?
WT: Dependability. I believe a leader has to be trustworthy and reliable at the core. In doing so, it fosters high achievement across the company.

S: How do you unwind after work?
WT: Having dinner at one of our city’s delicious restaurants with my wife and our friends, lucky to have so many wonderful places from which to choose.

S: What’s your favorite form of self-care to make sure you’re running at 100%?
WT: Time with friends and family. Life is hectic and the days are long but the years fly by. I work hard but also play hard. Nothing energizes me like taking a day to unwind with them in our beautiful city.

Coffee Strength: Nothing original here, I like my coffee black with a little bit of creamer when it’s cold outside. When it is warmer, I enjoy a nice iced coffee.

4. Michael O’Shaughnessy

Area General Manager of The Alida, Emeline and The Ryder Hotel
thealidahotel.com

Michael O’Shaughnessy’s 5 a.m. wake-up time makes for a well-prepared leader, ready to forge one of the strongest reputations in Southern hospitality at The Alida.

South Magazine: In your opinion, what is the secret to success?
Michael O’Shaughnessy: Learning to appreciate being in the moment and the people around us. Aligning your home and work life with your values. Keeping family first as well as taking care of the team directly around me. Working hard, but not taking yourself too seriously. Life’s too short.

S: What’s one leadership skill you wish you’d learned or mastered sooner?
MO: Bing a great listener is important and something I continue to practice, giving the person in front of you 100% of your attention and understanding where they are coming from. 

S: How would you describe your team?
MO: Our team chemistry is great. We work so well together because we appreciate each other’s strengths and help with weaknesses. When making team decisions, we remain thoughtful and value people over process.

S: What do you think is the most important leadership quality and why?
MO: Integrity is the most fundamental leadership quality. Once a team sees that decisions are always made with integrity, it allows a leader to build a solid foundation of credibility.

S: How do you unwind after work?
MO: Going for a nice jog, taking a drive with the top off the Jeep, and spending time with my wife and two kids always helps me unwind.

S: What’s your favorite form of self-care to make sure you’re running at 100%?
MO: I usually start my day around 5 a.m., go for a three mile jog, and take about 10 minutes to think about the day ahead. I really enjoy time at the beach, usually on Hilton Head, and love to boat.

Coffee Strength: Extra half and half and honey.

5. Kelli Weis

Broker-in-Charge, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty
danielravenelsir.com

Admittedly a work-a-holic (real estate never sleeps) Kelli Weis maintains a balanced perspective. “It’s easy to tell others how you want things done, but keeping an open mind allows members of your team to express their own ideas, leading to more success.”

South Magazine: In your opinion, what is the secret to success?
Kelli Weis: Love what you do and be kind and positive while you do it. Real estate is based on relationships and one’s passion and energy comes through in every interaction you have.

S: What’s one leadership skill you wish you’d learned or mastered sooner?
KW: Organization! Real estate changes daily and you have to be on your toes. Sometimes schedules get thrown out the window as new situations pop up and time frames evolve.

S: How would you describe your team?
KW: Amazing! I am surrounded by a smart, strong, and dedicated team who truly respect and care for each other, as committed as I am to keeping Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty the top name in luxury real estate for the Lowcountry.

S: What do you think is the most important leadership quality and why?
KW: Listening. We all have our strengths and weaknesses but the best leaders allow people to help make a strong, balanced, well-rounded team and improve company culture.

S: How do you unwind after work?
KW: There are no ‘off’ hours especially in today’s hot market. I make sure to find pockets for spending time for friends and family or porch talks with neighbors and girlfriends.

S: What’s your favorite form of self-care to make sure you’re running at 100%?
KW: I do have outside interests like a boat day with my husband and any chance I get to spend time with my grown children. I also have the most amazing girlfriends and we all support, listen, cheer each other on.

Coffee Strength: Lots of cream. A stingy portion of sugar.

Photo / Blake Crosby

Honorable Mention | Dr. Tim Minton

Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery
Savannahfacialplasticsurgery.com

Dr. Tim Minton of Savannah Facial Plastic Surgery may be a doctor and a boss, but did you know he’s also a gymbro? Catch him working just as hard on his fitness as he does in his practice.

South Magazine: In your opinion, what is the secret to success?
Dr. Minton: I’m still trying to figure that out but I’m in the people business, so, I always go back to the basics: if you just take good care of people and provide them value for your service the success will follow.

S: What’s one leadership skill you wish you’d learned or mastered sooner?
DM: Organization has always been a skill I’ve struggled with and wish I had mastered earlier. When it comes to business and strategic planning, I enjoy the 30,000 foot view — future planning and strategizing. But when it comes to organizing and implementation I fall short… I’ve recognized this flaw and now have a director of operations that helps with that aspect of the business.

S: How would you describe your team?
DM: Totally awesome! I’m so blessed to have the best in the business. They are such a special group of hardworking, caring, and fun-loving people.

S: What do you think is the most important leadership quality and why?
DM: Integrity — without it you can’t expect your team to respect and follow you.

S: How do you unwind after long day at work?
DM: Every evening, my wife and I walk our Labradoodle Sonny down to the Savannah Yacht Club waterfront and marvel at the beautiful environment we are blessed to be a part of.

S: What’s your favorite form of self-care to ensure you’re running at 100%?
DM: I work out almost daily before work — and on the weekends — with a group of crazy buddies. We call ourselves the “gymbros.”  ν

Coffee Strength: Strong and black.

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