Whenever you need a little advice, it is great to have a someone to reach out to inspire or motivate you. This article by Ruchika Tulshyan shares the career advice from eight Seattle women who have found success as they have risen to the executive levels. Although each one shares a different view on what has made them successful, it is great to take the lessons that they have learned and reflect how they may apply in your own career. Here are my three favorites with quotes from the article:
- Failing Is Progress Too – Lori Twomey, Chief Merchant at Zulily
- “The most unexpected career advice I received was that failing is progress.”
- “I believe you have to take risks, calculated and educated, but without fear of failing — fail fast and forward.”
- “Whether the risk is successful or fails, you always learn something that you can take forward and apply.”
- Ask 20 People to Coffee – Julie Sandler, Managing Director at Pioneer Square Labs
- “Whenever you find yourself at a career inflection point, find a way to save up $150 and take out to coffee 20 people who are doing work you find interesting.”
- “…the majority of the most exciting jobs out there are never posted on those job listing services or company websites. They come from networking serendipity, connecting at the right time with the right person who is working on something you find intrinsically fascinating or rewarding.”
- “The past few steps I have taken in my career I owe in many ways to this advice, and call several of those then ‘coffee meetings’ [invitees] my colleagues, friends and partners today.”
- Continue Paying It Forward – Olive Goh, Director at Citi Private Bank
- “But when I’m feeling great, supporting others’ success gives me even more joy and fulfilment.”
- “When I need an extra boost myself, I continue to give where I can and want to.”
- “Paying it forward reminds me of first, the allies who support and advocate for me, and second, the positive impact and influence I get to have, no matter the challenges I may be facing.”
There is always this fear of failure that may prevent you from doing something really great. Don’t be afraid of it, just know that you have what it takes to make it happen. Trust yourself and learn from whatever outcome that occurs. Do this for yourself, but also give space for your team to do it as well. Making progress by failing is far better than never trying at all.
Networking is key whether you are looking for a job or not. You never know what conversation that you can have that will help you or someone else you know. Don’t wait until you need the help to build up your network. Start today and meet with some people! Be curious, ask questions and listen. How did they get to where they are? What lessons have they learned? How can you help each other with the challenges that you are facing? It is always energizing to connect with new people, to learn about their stories and to share your own. You never know where those relationships may lead you.
No one gets to where they are in their careers without some help. A mentor, peer or manager that took the time to share their advice or lessons with you is invaluable. Once you have made it up the ladder, it is your turn to repay the favor to those just getting ready to make the journey. There is no class that can teach you everything that you need to know, so learning from others is key. Look for opportunities to shine a light on someone else and what they are doing. Promote the great things that the others around you are doing. Mentor or sponsor someone that you know has great potential to be something even bigger than they can imagine right now.
What takeaways did you have to apply to your own career? How will it impact what you do today to make a difference for someone else? Share this blog with someone who may need to hear some of this advice for themselves.