Today’s Morning Buzz is by Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Parkland, Florida. Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn.
What I’m Cooking: Pizza with liquid cashew mozzarella (see below)
What I’m Watching: Just finished “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment” on Netflix and trying more vegan/vegetarian options as a result.
What I’m Working on: Learning the basics of code compliance for a new assignment.
In pursuing a successful career, the proverbial saying, “It takes a village,” holds true. While your own hard work and determination are essential, the support and guidance from a diverse network of others play a crucial role in shaping and advancing your professional journey. Of course, your family and friends are there to support you, but there are people in your professional life who are critical to your growth and success, whether on a day-to-day or infrequent basis. This group of “villagers” includes mentors, peers, and even acquaintances, collectively contributing to the growth and development of your career. Sometimes, your “village” can be a source of sanity, a touchstone, or an example when you need it most. These are the people I depend on, and you may consider adding to your network:
Someone more experienced in your field. These people can offer support, share knowledge, and help navigate the complexities of your chosen field. They can answer, “Have you ever experienced this?”
Someone in your organization whom you trust and who is not necessarily in your field. These people understand the culture and dynamics of your workplace, even though they aren’t doing the work you do daily. They can answer, “Am I crazy, or do you see what happened differently?”
Someone at a higher level in the organization. Sometimes, they are formal mentors, but sometimes not. They provide valuable insights, guidance, and wisdom gained from their own professional journeys. They can answer, “What is the history of this, and can I do something different now?”
Someone outside of your organization. Networking opens doors to opportunities, exposes individuals to different perspectives, and allows for exchanging ideas. Collaborating with professionals in the same or related fields can lead to valuable connections, partnerships, and potential career advancements. They can answer, “How do you do this in your organization?” or “Have you dealt with this issue before?”
Someone you’ve worked with before. Like the above, obtaining an alternate perspective from someone you trust is valuable, especially when you’ve had similar experiences in the past. They can provide emotional support and encouragement through camaraderie, helping to instill confidence in your decision-making.
They can answer, “How can I handle this with what I learned from an example from our past?”
A peer. Peer-to-peer learning fosters a collaborative environment where individuals can share experiences, learn from each other’s successes and failures, and collectively contribute to the team’s overall success. Collaboration within the workplace not only enhances productivity but also fuels personal and professional development. They can answer, “What have you done in your department when this happened?”
Someone who sees your value but respectfully disagrees with you. Building a career involves exposure to diverse perspectives and ideas. Embracing diversity in thought and experience fosters innovation and adaptability, crucial elements for career success in today’s dynamic and ever-evolving professional landscape. They can answer, “How would you do this differently?”
A bad example. Believe it or not, those whose advice or example we would not take are part of our “village.” I’ve learned much about leadership by seeing or experiencing things a good leader should not do. And, of course, they don’t know they are assisting you this way. Please don’t ask them anything!
Conclusion:
The importance of a supportive and collaborative village cannot be overstated in the journey to build a successful career. While individual skills and determination are vital, collective wisdom, guidance, and encouragement from diverse networks contribute significantly to one’s professional growth. Embracing this collaborative approach can not only enrich your career but also strengthen the entire professional community, creating a culture of shared success and continuous learning.