10 unforgettable lessons for professional growth

Throughout my career, I’ve had a lot of experiences — some great, some challenging, and some questionable — such is life. However, between the good, the bad, and the questionable, there were always lessons learned. Periodically I like to reflect on these lessons and use them as reminders, both personally and professionally. Here are 10 lessons in my career that have stood the test of time.

Lesson 1 - Expect turns on the road

When I graduated high school, I had a plan. I was going to attend college and work as an ad executive for a world-renowned agency. In five years, I would work my way up and receive a “seat at the table” in the coveted c-suite. Big surprise, my experience was anything but that (smile).

After high school, I was burned out and searching for passion and purpose. I decided to take a gap year. I worked over the summer and when the year was over, I had enough clarity and motivation to pursue a degree. Given my passion for storytelling, I majored in journalism with an emphasis on advertising and public relations.

Despite earning my journalism degree, I landed an entry-level position with a mid-size software company in their customer service department. My attraction to the company —they offered free breakfast every Wednesday for their employees (I know, simple pleasures).  I didn’t plan it, but I entered the workforce in a role I never imagined, still seeking purpose, only now I had a pile of college debt.

For about two years, I worked on the frontline, routing customers on the phone to receive support services. In those years, I learned a lot about our customers, our product, and the customer experience—insights, I may have never received first-hand in another role. 

During the next several years of my career, I would experience life in Corporate. This included, CEO transitions, mergers and acquisitions, layoffs, restructures, and uncertainty. But I also gained something more valuable – experience.

While daunting, these experiences offered lifetime value in my professional development. I gained knowledge, leveraged opportunities, honed my skills, learned resilience, and built some of the strongest professional relationships in my career.

Every job is temporary, so expect turns on the road. Gain all you can from each experience and learn to problem solve. Build your relationships. Be curious, flexible, and adaptable, and always have a plan A, B, and C. The turns on your road will offer some of the most important lessons of your career.

Lesson 2 - Don’t take it personal

I once had a co-worker who vented every time someone disagreed with them. Every piece of feedback was met with resistance and a reason why someone was out to prove them wrong or outshine their expertise. Rather than make assumptions, it’s important to gain perspective. Perhaps there is a reason why someone is giving you additional context or thoughts on a situation. When you take time to listen, you might gain insight that proves valuable to your overarching goal(s). Not everything is as it appears. Ask questions, gain context, assess the situation, and collaborate to find a solution. 

Lesson 3 - You don’t know it all

A colleague of mine recently implemented a new software solution in their organization. A team member joined the implementation team late in the rollout process and began to insist they knew more than what was currently in place because of their experience with the tool. While their skills may have been ideal for the situation, what they lacked was an understanding of the company’s policies, processes, employees, leadership, and culture. Knowing the tool was not enough to secure a successful implementation.

The sign of a true professional is someone who listens, learns, and then acts. Learning is an essential part of professional growth. Good leaders understand they don’t have all the answers and surround themselves with people with the expertise and knowledge needed to keep moving forward. They trust their teams and are readily available to offer perspective, guidance, and decision-making when needed. Understand what you bring to the table but stay curious – ask questions and build upon your skills and knowledge to add value instead of ego. There is always room at the table for fresh ideas and new perspectives.

Lesson 4 - Say “No” with grace

Do yourself a favor and don’t say “yes” when you mean no. If you or your team is already overwhelmed, learn the art of saying no with grace. When you say yes to everything, you set yourself up for a lot of angst and sleepless nights. Set boundaries but offer alternatives and solutions to the problem. Be clear about what you are unable to offer and why, then follow up with what you can do. The goal is to offer solutions without sacrificing your ability to remain strategic and planful.

Lesson 5 - Be yourself

Never sacrifice who you are as a person. Staying true to your authentic self keeps your ethical and moral compass centered. You exude confidence when you stay true to who you are and set a precedent for others to do the same. Being yourself establishes a foundation of trust with others and speaks to your ability to communicate openly and transparently. Know your values, be authentic, and treat others with respect. You will be remembered for it.

Lesson 6 - Assume positive intent

Lead with empathy and avoid making assumptions. Rather than pointing fingers and placing blame, take time to understand where the breakdown in communication and/or process occurred. If the earth didn’t fall from the universe, chances are you can recover from the situation. However, it is important to learn what needs to change to ensure a better experience and outcome moving forward. Setting clear expectations and fully understanding the ask, process gaps, and decision factors can be effective when working toward your desired outcome.

Lesson 7 - Context is important

I once had a leader tell me that context is important. She often took the time to understand multiple views of a situation before drawing conclusions or making a decision. I always appreciated that she rarely made decisions in a vacuum. She always understood the impacts of the decisions she made and, where possible, asked for clarity to ensure she had all the information. This is a learned behavior, but if you commit to it in practice, context accompanied by transparent communication can go a long way.

Lesson 8 - Keep it simple

Don’t overthink it. Don’t expect perfect — stuff happens. It is still possible to strive for excellence, learn from the pitfalls, and adjust along the way. Keep things as simple as possible for ultimate clarity. Align on the vision, gather the facts, put the plan in place, assess what is needed, and remove what is not. Have a plan, keep it simple, and execute with precision. Simplicity goes a long way.

Lesson 9 - Speak up

Have you ever heard of the saying “The squeaky wheel gets the grease?” Don’t let opportunities pass you by. If you have a question, ask. If you have a potential solution, offer a suggestion. If you need clarity get the context. Whatever you do, don’t stay quiet. The chance that someone else is thinking the same is almost certain. Speak up — you may find the answers you’re looking for.

Lesson 10 - Say thank you

It’s amazing what two small words will do. A simple thank you to recognize people for their efforts and contributions can go a long way. People will remember those who recognized their hard work and will likely return the favor in kind. Aside from being the right thing to do, saying thank you is a sign of good character. It supports goodwill, and lets people know they are valued and appreciated.