15 Lessons from 15 Years with Text100
Today I celebrate 15 years with my employer, Text100 Global Communications. Allow me a little self-indulgence, while I try to analyse what this particular milestone means.
I've spent more than a third of my life with this company, in a career that's taken me to more than 20 countries, moved my family from Sydney, to Hong Kong and now the USA, and given me the chance to work with some incredible people and clients.
Looking back, it's been a wild ride. One I'd like to distill into (somewhat appropriately, but again, forgive my self-indulgence) into 15 lessons.
1. Take recruiters with a pinch of salt.On arriving in Sydney, I was told I was too old, needed to specialize and I'd struggle to find work. Was hired by Text100 two weeks later. And the grass is seldom greener...
2. Don't wait for opportunity. For goodness sake, put your hand up and own something. Regardless of your level or experience, there's always something that you can make your own.
3. Pick your battles. While I certainly think you can change the world, pick your battles carefully - and don't be afraid to walk away with a smile. You'll sleep better and achieve more.
4. Earn good will. Good advice from a former boss. Good will gets banked and some day you'll need to make a withdrawl. Make sure you're saving some for a rainy day...
5. Take the chance to travel. I've been lucky enough to travel extensively with Text100. Take any chance you can to see the world through the eye of people in other countries and cities. It's good for your brain and your perspective.
6. Focus on big and small rocks. While Steven Covey was all about the big rocks, reality is you need to give all rocks attention. Not equal attention, but ignore the small ones at your peril.
7. Do what you say you will. One of Text100's core values, and one that's served me well. See 'earn good will'.
8. Handle each piece of paper once. An old time management / productivity tip that I've tried to bring into email and activity management. Don't always succeed (the zero inbox is a far away goal) but it is one I'm striving for.
9. Have faith in those around you. One for the up-and-coming managers out there. You need to let people demonstrate they can deliver. They won't always do it your way, but if you've hired well, they'll get the job done. And if they don't, they shouldn't be there in the first place.
10. Punch above your weight. PR is a confidence game and success is often a healthy mix of experience and creativity. Don't be afraid to leap before you look - as long as you've got the safety net of good people around you.
11. Good enough is sometimes good enough. A tough one for the perfectionists amongst us, but sometimes good enough gets the job done. While it's important to hold yourself and colleagues to a high standard, getting home to read stories to your kids is more important.
12. Emails don't replace conversation. Get up from your desk and meet a colleague in the kitchen. Walk across the room and have a chat. Pick up the phone once an IM chat goes beyond three exchanges. Reclaim conversation.
13. Recognize and celebrate success. We spend so much time doing, that we sometimes lose sight of our achievements. Especially those of us who've been around awhile. Make sure you're taking the time to acknowledge your big and small wins.
14. Don't dwell. Sometimes it's easier to endlessly debate an issue than take an action. Or talk yourself into inactivity. Don't. Try to deal with something quickly, then move on. A lesson hard learned...
15. Never be too busy for people. Work is work. It's important. It's maddening and there's always pressure. Clients are demanding and email distracts. But don't forget the people around you. Always, always find time for them. For those of us in consulting, clients will come and go. Emails can wait - it's often only your own expectations you're frantically meeting. Your work family are more important than you realize. Look after each other.
This post first appeared in June on my LinkedIn feed here.