Shark tale.

• Author: Rosenbaum's, Barbara
• Position: Finalentry - Barbara Rosenbaum of Gumbiner Savett Inc. speaks about leadership - Interview

Recently Barbara Rosenbaum, executive vice president at Gumbiner Savett Inc. and certified diver, was convinced to take a 90-foot shark dive by her 16-year-old daughter. Rosenbaum, who is also co-chair of this year's Women's Leadership Forum, ended up meeting one of her biggest fears.

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What was going through your mind when you were face to face with a shark?

I was very focused on the 17-foot Tiger Shark and what it was capable of doing. I realized that my entire life experience gave me no insight into what it might do. It was a stunningly primitive animal.

Do you believe that the best way to conquer your fear is to face it head on?

Yes, I do believe in approaching things head on. I'm not proclaiming that it's the best way for everyone, but it works for me. Actually, sometimes I wonder if I is should consider another route but I rarely do.

You mentioned setting an example for your daughter was a key factor in your decision to dive. What sort of examples in your professional life do you find yourself setting for her, or others, who may look up to you?

I feel that the way you lead your life is your legacy: you should try to have a positive impact on the people around you and your community. I support my daughter in everything she does. I also try to let her make her own decisions because there are a lot of different paths to the same place. As a professional. I participate in a women's mentoring group. We mentor young women who come from underprivileged backgrounds. They are in college or recent graduates so they have already accomplished quite a bit. I look my daughter to the annual dinner where the mentees talked about how the program helped them and how they had overcome various hurdles including lack of a support system at home. My daughter was surprised by how much opportunity she had just by having parents who supported her. Mentoring is such a great avenue to help women of today get further ahead in life. Many of the young women I talk to just need someone to bounce ideas off of and get advice. It's very rewarding.

Who were your mentors when you were starting out?

When I graduated college 1 went to work for Ronald B. Cohen, the name partner of a middle market firm in Ohio. He set the bar for me with regards to client service, professionalism and work ethic. I also haw had client mentors; Steve Krantz was one of my first. He always believed in me and. though he knew I was learning, he knew I would think smartly for...