Editor's note: The four women honored this year by the YWCA each contributed a personal essay regarding their path to achievement. The essays appeared April 27 and 29, May 1 and conclude today.

"How do you do it?" I asked my father, Foodland's founder, Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, when I was named president of Foodland. "You are so comfortable, confident and respected, and running the company comes so easily to you." I was hoping he would have a secret that would help me find success in my new role. You see, although I was thrilled to have the job I had dreamed of for years, I also felt terrified that I was neither ready nor fully prepared to step into the role my father had held since our company's founding in 1948.

My dad's reply was simple. He put his arm around me, gave me a big, warm, reassuring smile and said, "You know, honey, Rome wasn't built in a day. Keep working on things and eventually they'll come naturally to you too.' You have it in you. 'Just remember, you have to take care of people." I'm not sure it was the answer I was looking for at the time, but I now realize there was a great deal of wisdom in his words.

"Rome wasn't built in a day." My dad loved to use the phrase to emphasize that success takes time and lots of hard work. It's a lesson that became very clear to me during my early years of leadership at Foodland. As a young leader, part of my anxiety came from thinking that I was expected to know everything, to have all the answers. Not only did that create a lot of pressure, it was simply not possible. I found that by learning to be open and honest about what I did and did not know, I opened the door for others to provide their insight and guidance. And through the knowledge they shared, I was able to learn and grow as a leader.

"You have it in you." My dad was right — all of us have the ability to be leaders, whether or not we have titles. The skills that are required are ones that we've practiced growing up and through our careers — just on a larger scale. I've learned how important it is to take advantage of any opportunity to motivate, coach or shape the lives of others — whether those individuals report to us or not. In so doing, we help to build the foundations of our leadership. I see great examples of leadership every day from my co-workers who may not hold what are traditionally considered "leadership positions." A courtesy clerk who encourages co-workers to provide great service and carry out groceries is a leader, as is an administrative assistant who goes the extra mile to pull a team together beyond her scope of responsibility. Such individuals bring the leadership qualities within them to life by being passionate about what they do and positively influencing others.

"You have to take care of people." This message from my father was the most important of all. More than anything, the people we work with must know that we care about them. Leadership begins with a genuine desire to help others and is predicated on strong relationships, not control. The point hit home with me as I got to know many of the people who work in our office and stores. Seeing them give so much of their lives to our company and work so hard for our success put my role in perspective. It is they who make our company's achievements possible, and my role is to ensure they know they are appreciated, supported, cared for and valued.

Jenai Sullivan Wall is being honored Thursday by the YWCA for her women's leadership role.