Elaine Agather is a passionate advocate for Fort Worth’s cultural heritage. She was a driving force in building the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and was the first woman to serve as an officer of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. She has ridden in the rodeo’s Grand Entry more than 1,000 times – a testament to her dedication. Known for her vibrant western attire, Elaine is the Global Vice Chair of JP Morgan Private Bank and Chairman of the Dallas Region for JPMorgan Chase. She’s provided strategic direction, leadership and unwavering commitment to her clients for more than 45 years. Over the years, and as the result of many speaking engagements, she created her beloved “Elaine’s Eight”principles:

ELAINE’S EIGHT:
Saddle Your Own Horse... then ride with a good team.
Don’t wait for others to take care of you or for that dream job to come along.
Never wait! You’re in charge of your life and your career.

Like What You Do…and then decide what to like next.
I didn’t say Do what you like — there’s a big difference. Liking what you do means
you know how to make the most of opportunities. You look for the positives in
every situation. You play the hand you’re dealt, and you win.

Turn on a Dime...but remember to slow down.
Become a speed demon at changing directions. Embrace new opportunities and
ideas. Adapt and thrive because changes will just keep coming. How you respond to
change is what matters most.

Stay Connected...but vary the connections.
Develop and nurture relationships. Find mentors and reach out to those who might
want to learn from you. Stay close to those you care about.

Practice Free Speech...and sprinkle it liberally with “thank yous”.
Communicate all the time. Repeat your message as often as possible. People need
to hear what you have to say. Don’t assume they already know - they usually don’t.

Get Over It...but spend a little time in recovery.
Tough decisions have to be made; that’s part of the process. You will make
mistakes. Fix them and move on.

Develop Your Funny Bone...but cry with them, too.
You cannot survive — in business or in life — without a sense of humor. Lighten up,
loosen up, and laugh. It’s amazing how far this will take you. And, you’ll sure feel a
lot better!

Strengthen Your Back Bone.
Do the right thing when it’s not easy or popular. Character is our foundation.
Integrity has to be our guiding value. We’re nothing without it.