By: Lyssanoel Frater
Integrity, relationships, and discipline shape his approach to entrepreneurship and leadership.
The business world is fast-moving and complex, with many professionals focused on short-term wins. The transactional nature of business relationships does not lend itself to the type of trust that supports long-term working relationships. Rushed communication, the emphasis on scaling quickly, and the focus on shortcuts have made old-school qualities, once considered a standard in business, less common.
William S. Barrett is the CEO and Partner at Mandelbaum Barrett PC. He asserts that integrity, reliability, and consistency are so scarce in today’s business environment that professionals who practice them can be remembered for them.
An author of two previous books, Barrett has written a new book titled Authentic: An Old-School Approach to Building a Full Life, Successful Business, and Real Relationships for entrepreneurial-minded individuals, business owners, and growth-minded people.
According to Barrett, the book focuses on the lessons he learned from his father about integrity, hard work, and showing up for others. In his experience, these values remain relevant today, have stood the test of time, and are important to long-term professional growth.
Career Turning Point
Following the advice of his father, Barrett developed a leadership approach that eventually led him to become a partner and CEO at Mandelbaum Barrett PC.
At the start of his legal career, Barrett’s professional goal was to work at a large global law firm. Upon achieving that ambition, he realized that the part of his work that gave him true satisfaction was interacting directly with entrepreneurs. Playing a “meaningful role” in their professional journey was what mattered most to him.
A Multifaceted Leader
After this revelation, Barrett decided to change course and join a smaller regional firm. This move allowed him to serve clients in a role he found fulfilling. Since making that career change, he has worked as an advisor to over a thousand entrepreneurs across business decisions, transitions, and growth-related questions.
“It wasn’t the obvious path, but it allowed me to be more hands-on and aligned with the people I serve. Today, the firm reflects that same philosophy: growing and scaling over time while staying grounded in relationships and real impact,” Barrett says.
Values as a Professional Foundation
In today’s business world, old-school values are sometimes considered outdated. The current environment prioritizes speed and quick wins, which is not always conducive to building trust. Barrett stresses to his clients the importance of integrity and reliability in professional relationships.
In his own professional life, Barrett saw the benefit of adhering to these values. In a highly competitive field like law, competition for clients among firms can be fierce. In this environment, building trust requires consistency, patience, and a focus on service.
“What helped was staying focused on the work: showing up for clients, doing the right thing consistently, and building a culture people could trust. Over time, that approach became an advantage,” Barrett shares.
The Book Authentic
Barrett has written Authentic: An Old-School Approach to Building a Full Life, Successful Business, and Real Relationships to honor his father, share the life lessons he was taught, and reach people beyond his direct clients at the law firm.
The book is a look at Barrett’s personal and professional journeys. He rejects “get rich quick” thinking that can result in surface-level progress. Instead, Barrett emphasizes the principles he used to build his firm and that he uses daily with clients. The book is an extension of his professional perspective and a practical guide for readers.
“The goal is simple: to help people reconnect with principles that have stood the test of time,” Barrett concludes.
