Building a Strong Foundation: From Army Veteran to President of Workforce Solutions at Equifax

Sometimes you just need to put your ego aside to focus on what you’re trying to build in your career. You need to trust the process of building a strong foundation.

Chad Borton sat down with us to discuss his insights on building a successful career, developing strong leadership skills, and the importance of having a strong work ethic. His diverse experiences and skills have contributed significantly to his long-term growth in the financial services industry. 

Listen in as Chad discusses what he would tell his younger self when it comes to career growth, and why one should approach their career as a “pyramid” versus the proverbial “career ladder”.

Chad also reflects on how his military background has shaped him and how it played a role in helping build a strong foundation for his career in the corporate world. 

Read ahead to learn about Chad’s early career journey and how he motivates his team.

How has your military experience shaped you?

My military experience as a US Army active duty officer 30 years ago has profoundly shaped my career. It instilled qualities such as discipline, a strong work ethic, and the ability to plan and execute under pressure. In the corporate world, where deadlines and pressure are constant, my military background has given me the skills to lead my team.

Leadership, initiative, and adaptability are all fundamental qualities honed in the military. The ability to adjust based on new information and lead during challenging times is critical in those environments. 

These qualities are all skills that I look for in members of my team. At Equifax, we value these skills greatly and recognize the contributions that veterans can make to the corporate sector. 

Did you ever think you would be in the role you are in today?

No, and I'm humbled every day that I've been able to get to this position. 

Building the foundation of a successful career can be challenging, and you must be willing to take risks, learn new skills, and to continuously commit to your team and customers. By instilling these qualities, you can continue to grow and develop in your career. 

The world is full of opportunities for those who are prepared and willing to seize them.

What is one strategy you utilize to help motivate your team?

I have a long-standing routine of sharing motivational quotes with my team every Monday. I select quotes that will resonate with current challenges, strategic initiatives, or our core values. 

One of my favorite quotes is from Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena”:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

This quote emphasizes that it is not the critic who counts but the person in the arena, who dares to strive, knowing that failure is a possibility. This spirit of preservation and dedication is something I strive to instill in my team.

At Equifax, our goal is to live our best, develop, grow, and serve our customers with the same dedication and resilience as the man in the arena. 

Learn more about available opportunities at Equifax.