Moving Forward: Seeing People for Who They Are Today

By: Mitch Lartigue

In life and in our careers, each of us carries a story. Some chapters are filled with success and recognition, while others may hold challenges, mistakes, or misunderstandings that linger longer than we wish. Too often, those difficult chapters become the lens through which others judge us, even when years of growth, resilience, and learning have rewritten the person we are today.

I believe one of the greatest acts of leadership is allowing people the space to move forward. Not to define them solely by a past moment, but instead to recognize their journey of growth, integrity, and determination. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be measured by their present actions and future potential, not only by experiences that may have unfairly overshadowed them.

Background checks and due diligence are important, especially in safety-critical professions. But employers should also look at the complete person, their skills, their character, their proven record of responsibility, and their vision for the future. People are more than a single event in their history. They are defined by how they rise, how they grow, and how they continue to serve others despite adversity.

My hope is that more organizations embrace this perspective. That they see the value in people who have walked difficult paths and emerged stronger, more committed, and more compassionate. Because it is often those very individuals who bring the deepest sense of responsibility, integrity, and resilience to their work. Moving forward is not just about second chances; it is about recognizing the full humanity in one another.