24 Thoughts for 24 Months at AT&T

2 years flew away just like that. 24 months in the real world after a dual master’s program, moving across country and 3 rotations in AT&T Leadership Development Program. I’m an evolved person. I’ve grown and changed. So, what have I learned and how have I evolved to be who I am now? A lot. That’s the answer. But there are some points and lessons that keep popping up that I took to heart and use on the daily, so here they are in their raw form:

1.    To lead, I needed to learn to follow and make an impact in a team environment.

2.    Plan and prioritize. It might just save your life. It saves mine daily.

3.    I quickly understood – people plan a plan. Large scale, cross-functional projects don’t just happen. 

4.    Listen intently and actively in a conversation.

5.    Ideas are great but nothing without action to follow.

6.    Ask for help. Go on. You’ll be better for it. I know I have.

7.    Communicate clearly and concisely. In business, why use two words when one word suffices?

8.    Documentation is time-consuming but worth it. Documenting my successes and writing them down has helped me realize what I have accomplished, where I have grown, and where I am going. It acts as a humble reminder of my professional journey.

9.    Everyone learns from everyone. We are all teachers and students.

10. On the note of students – we are always students. Learn openly. Learn continuously.

11. Step 1: Stand up for what you believe in and don’t back down.

12. Step 2: Buy-in is important. Both from leadership and colleagues.

13. Step 3: Always be on the offensive – what are the next steps?

14. Never underestimate the power of feedback. Embrace it. Act on it.

15. It takes time to know yourself and therefore to know your brand.

16. Career growth - It’s not easy. Freakouts will occur. Imposter syndrome is a thing. That’s normal. Keep going but reach out.

17. On that note, if something is freaking me out. I slowly started to talk to people. It did and does wonders for your mental health.

18. Regarding mental health; this is critical. Never ignore the signs of burn out.

19. What we learn in school is great. It forms the foundation of our business careers. Companies, however, have their own methodologies and “schools” (corporate development) – our education is just getting ramped up.

20. In the era of COVID, the work from home life requires much more discipline than working on location. There will be habits here that I instilled that will last a lifetime.

21. On #WFH, since we aren’t in the office, the old saying holds true “out of sight, out of mind.” This can prove fatal. To avoid this, I’ve learned that consistent and clear communication, frequent touch bases, and virtual coffees make all the difference in the world. 

22. Make sure to move throughout the day – this is more stimulating than the biggest cup of coffee. I’ve learned to take at least two 10-minute walks a day. Win-win for both mental and physical well-being.

23. Networking is tough. Particularly in a digital world but it is the way of life. Network to learn, to grow, and to better understand different perspectives. Don’t be afraid to proactively reach out to new people and learn new insights. I’ve had to learn to do this – it’s tough but so worth it.

24. The notion of “work-life balance” is a misnomer, particularly in today’s world. It’s more of a balanced co-existence. Now, maintaining that balance is the fun part. 

25. BONUS: We only have one life to live and work is a part of it. Through all of this, I’ve become a firm believer in the saying “we work to live, not live to work.” Enjoy every aspect of your life to the fullest beyond the computer and office.

This is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. There’s still so much more to do and to learn. But these 24 months have changed me for the better and enabled me to reach new heights that I would have otherwise been unable to obtain. Here’s to the next 24 and beyond.