On December 5, I celebrated 14 years at the company I work for. Over the next few posts, I would like to share some of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way.
Introverts aren’t always quiet
For a time, I had a false perspective on the difference between an introvert and an extrovert. I thought that introverts had little to no interest in people, were super shy, and hardly spoke. See, I’m a people person. I love connecting with others and as I become comfortable with them I tend to be a chatterbox. As a facilitator, I also demonstrate extroverted characteristics. However, I started to realize that it was only a small portion of who I was. More dominant in me is the need to decompress after a packed day of interactions. I also thrive on smaller interactions and tend to silently observe before approaching others or speaking up in conversations. Once I embraced that reality, I knew that I was an introvert and was proud to be one. As I’ve moved into leadership, my introverted nature has helped in decision making as I often observe and reflect before responding. At the same time, I’ve had to get out of my comfort zone and speak up to ensure I am heard in certain settings. It continues to be a learning experience, but one that I am glad to walk through.
Networking is necessary
As an introvert, I struggled for a time to want to go to networking events unless I knew several people that were going to be there. This was a big step outside of my comfort zone. As I made more of an effort to introduce myself to people and start conversations, I began new relationships with people within my company and the learning and development industry. Many of these connections have been key partners for projects where I needed insights for training and for learning new ways to approach training using tools and techniques I may not have learned about otherwise. If you’re not always comfortable meeting new people, I challenge you to go to a networking event and set a goal of meeting one new person. You will be surprised at the results!
I will continue sharing lessons in my next post. In the meantime, what are some lessons you’ve learned in your career? I’d love to see them in the comments.
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the National Management Association’s annual conference in Sugar Land, Texas. I’m a member of the board of directors, and this year’s Board Secretary. Next year, I’m excited to serve as the organization’s Board Treasurer. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the organization, founded by Charles Kettering in 1925. I’d like to share some nuggets I gained during my time at the event.
We had several amazing and insightful speakers during the conference. The first person I heard was Josh Linkner, a Detroit native and well-known author, speaker, and entrepreneur. His talk focused on innovation and creativity, important elements of leadership and navigating through the professional world. Among the examples he shared, the one that resonated with me most was the employee that came to him with an idea to address some legal and logistical challenges with an ad campaign he was leading. That idea was the game changer and missing piece to the puzzle he and other leaders had been trying to solve. Additionally, he shared that the idea was from an individual contributor who because of the culture he created, was comfortable approaching him and giving him the recommendation. It reinforced in me the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and being open to new ideas even if they vastly differ from yours. You can find the full story that he’s shared with others previously here.
Shayla Rivera, a former NASA engineer who truly made a career pivot moving to standup comedy and motivational speaking, was another one of the speakers. Her focus was on storytelling, something that is near and dear to my heart. Sharing her career journey and leadership topics she learned along the way, she kept the audience engaged and laughing. Among the takeaways from her session were these two quotes:
“What you are unaware of controls you. What you are aware of you can change.” This reminded me to be mindful of how to approach my personal development and areas of improvement as they are identified. Once you are aware of something, it’s up to you what happens next. It has parallels to the Johari Window that helps individuals identify blind spots and receive feedback from others to also help you be more aware of areas in your life that would benefit from change.
“We spend so much time focusing on what we put in our mouth, but not what comes out of it.” This is such a true statement! Physical health and nutrition are very important things, but so is our emotional health and professional presence. We must continue to think before we speak and seek to understand rather than being quick to react and not taking the time to self-assess before responding to someone. Hearing this from Shayla, it challenges me to do better. If you want to learn more about Shayla, check out her website.
Another great highlight of the week was a leadership panel that focused on career development journeys. Three leaders, including one of my mentors, Patrece Hamblin, shared their experiences and insights on what individuals need to consider when looking for career growth and opportunities. Each talked about identifying where you can bring value in your job, and that opportunities are more than job promotions. As I look back on my career journey so far, I recall several opportunities that were key to my development. There were times when I was stretched to begin instructional design work and learn from others to build my skills when at the time I had minimal experience. I was asked to lead in different ways through my NMA chapter, which taught me delegation and strategic planning. In my current role I’m getting involved in projects that help me gain a bigger picture of our key stakeholders and external customers that help me identify ways that we can better support these groups. Seeing how these and other experiences continue to shape me into the leader I am today, the comments of the leaders on the panel resonate with where I have been and where I am now in my career. Roderick McLean from Lockheed Martin also said something that is crucial in development. “Believe in yourself,” he said. “Not everyone is going to believe in you.” As one that battles imposter syndrome, confidence in who I am and my abilities is a key weapon along with the reminder that it’s ok if not everyone is supportive. I must move forward with the goals that I have set in place, being open to feedback but also being true to who I am and my values. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization and to gain the insights I did at this year’s conference. Did any of these resonate with you? What organizations have helped you in your personal and professional journey? I’d love to hear about it!
The Secret Sauce 