A few days back, we had a stressful situation at work. Teams had differing views about a problem that had surfaced. The tension was palpable. People started mudslinging at each other when I intervened and we finally reached an agreement. After the long discussion, one of my mentees asked me, “How do you remain calm and bring teams together in these difficult moments?” The young man wanted to know how to get things done. I offered him some tips on how to become productive.
He then continued to ask if I could offer him some advice on career growth. I started to ponder, “What advice could I give this young man or for that matter my younger self?“ This was a moment of reflection for me as well. I realized that there are a few things I wish I knew early on in my career.
Before you want others to believe in you, you got to believe in yourself, in your strengths. I always felt the necessity to know everything on the topic before I raised my opinion. It’s only later in my career I realized you cannot be an expert in everything and wait for all the boxes to be ticked. Instead, search within yourself and dig out your strengths. Never dismiss them and don’t be afraid to flaunt what you are good at.
Coming from a “doing” mindset, I believed in execution and never took enough time to build on relationships. I wish I had taken more time to invest in them. It always pays off. Never underestimate the value of people. They not only help you in furthering your career, but also know that you are building a healthy pool of meaningful connections.
When cultivating relationships, think of how you can give before you get or expect anything from them.
Perfectionism is something I still struggle with. I missed so many opportunities because of this. Unless your craft is put out in the world, you will never know what the world desires! So ship your work when you are 80% ready. Sure, have high standards, but know where your floor is. There is a hidden cost you are paying to hit the 100% mark. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or product. Done is better than perfect.
Early on, fear often held me back from doing things outside my comfort zone. Fear of failure and fear of rejections stopped me from talking to new people and taking on challenging projects. I paid a price for that. I now know we never fail. Like Nelson Mandela said, “You either win or learn”. Have an experimental mindset. Wear a lab coat like a scientist does in his lab and be willing to experiment. You never fail. Listen to this advice to avoid being paralyzed by fear and missing your best opportunities.
I cannot stress this enough. Having an ecosystem of trusted people is so crucial not only for your professional growth but also for personal growth. They are the ones on whom you can lean when in distress, when you feel unheard, when you need support, and when you need guidance. They are the ones who help you cultivate your intellectual and
emotional well-being, who not only remind you of your strengths, but also show you your blind spots. Sometimes you cannot see what others see in you. Build a support system of trusted advisors, peers, coaches, and mentors who you can look up to for guidance and support.
This is my advice to my younger self. How about you?
Until Next…
Keep Smiling
Archana
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