As I celebrate 7 Years with LinkedIn, the Top 3 Things I'm Most Grateful For

As I celebrate 7 years with LinkedIn today (and shortly coming up on 4 years living & working in Asia), here are the top 3 things I have learned and feel most grateful for:

1.??LinkedIn is huge!? Both the network and company are truly global and expanding by the day.? Beyond the photos, stories and snippets I'd heard about when I first joined in 2017, it has been remarkable to experience first-hand the richness of each of the places I have been fortunate to visit outside the US offices:? Sydney, Melbourne, Bangalore, Hong Kong & my home base for the last 4 years – Singapore.? And beyond the locations, it’s the global relationships I’ve formed & grown with colleagues that mean the most to me. I'm surrounded by talented, dynamic, caring people who all look out for each other and are committed to our mission of creating economic opportunity for our members.

?

2.??Diversity & cultural differences thrive everywhere – but the one thing that seems to connect everyone wherever I go… is food!??? Among all the foreign and unfamiliar experiences I’ve had throughout the Asia-Pacific region, learning and observing all the nuances of how different people think, solve problems, the humor (although Dad jokes seem to be universal), and how people communicate – the commonality that comes up in every place is breaking bread together.? I’ve not once had a visit to an office or someone’s home where someone did not openly & warmly offer restaurant recommendations, a home-cooked meal, or invitation to try some exotic local delicacy!? Food truly unites us and it’s been so fun (and delicious) to experience!

?

3.??It’s a big world out there – go explore and don’t box yourself in!? Just when I thought I had seen & experienced the world through vacations and study abroad, I took a bold step in 2020 to book a one-way flight to Southeast Asia from a very comfortable lifestyle I had in San Francisco.? And while I moved from one very modern & exciting city to another, let me tell you – it was a massive adjustment!? Not just because I moved only weeks before the pandemic and the lockdowns that would follow for over a year; but because I needed to start from scratch in a new place.? No family or friends in Singapore, but instead a blank slate to form new roots, build a network and friendships, all while learning a new role as a people & sales leader.? I took myself out of my comfort zone, which wasn’t easy – but because of it, I now have so many friends from all over the world!? I’ve seen more countries, tasted more different types of food than I knew existed, and had all kinds of unexpected adventures because of it!? And while many people have come and gone these last few years – it’s the friendships & memories that last.? And now it’s surreal to think I have spent more years abroad with LinkedIn than I did in the US.

I'm excited for what's ahead, and want to take this time to wish you all a Happy New Year!?? We are just beginning 2024, so cheers to friends, food and the future! ??