There are a few things i wish I knew then that I know now: 1. Working way too hard at the expense of your personal and social life can actually hold you back. Putting in extra long hours can be perceived/portrayed as poor time management. Finding a balance that works for you will keep you sane, healthy and happy. 2. I wish someone had told me that I need to study the office politics that come with every new job/role. It’s not only important to understand you responsibilities, but the dynamics and power plays around you: who reports to whom, who cares about what business issue, the inter-personal relationships, “how things get done”, etc. In other words, use your EQ as much as your IQ. 3. There is no one path to success. Measuring yourself against others- whether it’s the speed of promotion or percentage of pay increase – is a one way road to frustration and negativity. The most important part of any role if what you can learn from it. Be prepared and open to new career opportunities, and even to start over in a new field if necessary.
There is so much we learn from our journey and experiences but if I have to pinpoint some learnings which I wish I had at the beginning of my career, they are these:
– I wish I knew that the belief that “my work should speak for itself and I don’t need to talk about it” is a fallacy. In this world of information asymmetry, what doesn’t get talked about gets ignored.
– I wish I knew that “when elders are speaking, don’t butt in” is something that we need to leave behind in our childhood. If you’re don’t speak up in meetings, your ideas don’t get heard and there is no way for people to know your creativity and decision making skills. Everyone is a professional at work and deserves respect irrespective of designation and also the opportunity to speak up.
– I wish I knew that “I’ll just mind my own business and not get involved in other stuff” is a fallacy. People who go above and beyond and also connect well with others are the ones who succeed.
Women are shy of taking credit – men are not. It matters. To elaborate, women are hesitant to take credit and publicize their achievement even when they have produced the result. Men will take credit even for what they have little to do with. Be bold and take credit and use every opportunity to showcase your efforts. As I write it to you, I am telling it to myself. Even after 25 years in the workplace, I need to remind myself to do this, but I have become better!
That going out to work whilst leaving small children at home doesn’t make you a bad mom.
There are a few things i wish I knew then that I know now:
1. Working way too hard at the expense of your personal and social life can actually hold you back. Putting in extra long hours can be perceived/portrayed as poor time management. Finding a balance that works for you will keep you sane, healthy and happy.
2. I wish someone had told me that I need to study the office politics that come with every new job/role. It’s not only important to understand you responsibilities, but the dynamics and power plays around you: who reports to whom, who cares about what business issue, the inter-personal relationships, “how things get done”, etc. In other words, use your EQ as much as your IQ.
3. There is no one path to success. Measuring yourself against others- whether it’s the speed of promotion or percentage of pay increase – is a one way road to frustration and negativity. The most important part of any role if what you can learn from it. Be prepared and open to new career opportunities, and even to start over in a new field if necessary.
You don’t need to be a ball buster to do well 😀
There is so much we learn from our journey and experiences but if I have to pinpoint some learnings which I wish I had at the beginning of my career, they are these:
– I wish I knew that the belief that “my work should speak for itself and I don’t need to talk about it” is a fallacy. In this world of information asymmetry, what doesn’t get talked about gets ignored.
– I wish I knew that “when elders are speaking, don’t butt in” is something that we need to leave behind in our childhood. If you’re don’t speak up in meetings, your ideas don’t get heard and there is no way for people to know your creativity and decision making skills. Everyone is a professional at work and deserves respect irrespective of designation and also the opportunity to speak up.
– I wish I knew that “I’ll just mind my own business and not get involved in other stuff” is a fallacy. People who go above and beyond and also connect well with others are the ones who succeed.
There are many more, but hope this helps.
Women are shy of taking credit – men are not. It matters. To elaborate, women are hesitant to take credit and publicize their achievement even when they have produced the result. Men will take credit even for what they have little to do with. Be bold and take credit and use every opportunity to showcase your efforts. As I write it to you, I am telling it to myself. Even after 25 years in the workplace, I need to remind myself to do this, but I have become better!