A Reflection On Five Years

This month is my fifth year at Walmart, and I’ve really enjoyed the journey. In celebration of this milestone, I want to share with you six key working tips that I have learned along the way.??

Build Relationships

Packing up and moving your family three states away to work for the largest private employer in the United States can be daunting; but when I joined Walmart in 2016, I embraced both the opportunity and the challenge. Initially when I was assigned a task, I immediately focused on completing it as I always had; seeing what needed to be done, giving assignments, and getting to work on the goal assuming everyone was on the same page - same way I had done previously in my career. I quickly learned that approach wasn’t working. I didn’t know anyone in the company, but I assumed my co-workers were similar to others I had worked with. I would show or tell them what they needed to do, and they would jump in and get it done. While most tried to do exactly that, I realized they weren’t enthusiastic about it, and I wasn’t fully utilizing the strengths and talents of my team. In a large organization like Walmart, it takes numerous teams to accomplish goals and these teams need to be connected across the organization if the goals are to be successfully and fully met. And most importantly, each team has to work “as a team.”??

In a large organization like Walmart, teamwork is a must. A team leader must always be focused on building and strengthening relationships with colleagues. It needs to be a priority and not something to work on “when you have time.” When building a network, a leader needs to be ready to give help, but also open and receptive to suggestions given by team members. Do not underestimate the value of having a vast and collaborative network. It will pay massive dividends.???

Be Grateful and Give Credit Where Credit is Due?

Never take showing appreciation and giving credit where credit is due for granted. Compliment and show gratitude to everyone who contributes to a job well done. Make sure to show this appreciation both individually and corporately, to the team and management. When giving your appreciation be as specific and genuine as possible. Be authentic and do not give false praise, your team members will see right through it. Giving authentic thanks and praise not only lifts individual and team morale, but also gives team leaders a sense of well-being and earns them respect. Doing so reminds me that in order to complete any goal, it takes others to make it happen. When I respect my team, they respect me. This brings me to my next tip...??

Be Yourself

Another important lesson I’ve learned over the past five years is to be true to your values, to who you really are. It’s important to be genuine in your relationships both at home and at the office. When I first started with Walmart, I was very reserved and not showing unique qualities that actually defined who I was. I was showing only a portion of myself, portraying an “all business” image. As a result, it was very difficult for people to connect with me. Once I started showing who I really am, things began to change for me. The workplace became enjoyable, and my network grew. When working at a large corporation it is incredibly important to be authentic – be the real you. This pays dividends not only for yourself, but for the company as well.?

Focus on Continuous Learning

For those working in a technological field, it goes without saying that one must be open to change and always learning. But this doesn’t only apply to those working in tech. No matter what field you are working in, you must be open to change and be continually learning and educating yourself. The world is rapidly changing and in order to continue to provide value to their company and to those they work with, people’s skill levels and abilities need to keep pace with or adapt to those changes.??

?Here are three ways to help you achieve this:

?- Learn on the job. There are many ways to improve your knowledge and skills at work. Volunteer to help and participate in a project outside of your comfort zone. Connect with a co-worker or leader who is involved in the new skill and watch and ask questions while getting on-the-job training. Investigate job opportunities in that new skill area.

- Identify key industry websites. Follow experts in the field on social media. Subscribe to magazines that cover relevant topics.

- To better understand a new skill, schedule time on your calendar and make it a part of your routine to go online and invest yourself in a self-paced learning program like LinkedIn Learning or similar website. I want to emphasize setting up a calendar reminder to help you stay focused on your goal.

Do not underestimate the importance of continuously learning. As you develop new skills, your experience and value to the company will grow tremendously.

Be Prepared

In the corporate world there is very little that is as important as being prepared. For every meeting, every task, every project, and every goal I’ve been assigned, I have put in the preparatory time necessary to ensure a successful completion.?Being prepared goes way beyond individual projects, however. Every tip that I’ve given you thus far is something to help one be prepared for opportunities, the unexpected “calamity,” changes in plans, new leadership, etc., whatever the business world can throw at you. It’s not a cliché to state that being prepared turns disasters into opportunities. Having a positive and confident attitude comes from being prepared. I truly believe this has been the greatest attribute in propelling my career.?I encourage you to make time to work on these tips. Give yourself adequate preparation before presenting a meeting, starting a project, or speaking in an all-hands meeting. Know what you are going to say, practice on your presentation – both in delivery and demeanor. Preparation is the road to success.??

Have Fun!

I don’t know how to emphasize just how incredibly important it is for you to enjoy what you do while at your workplace.?Your career should be fun!?If coming to work is drudgery, if you come to work unenthused, wishing you were somewhere else, if you are not having fun in what you are doing, then you should evaluate whether or not you are in the right career.?About half of your life is invested in your career.?If you are not having fun in your job, I would venture to guess that you are not having fun in your personal life either.?Things are not always going to go as planned in the corporate life – or in life in general.?But if you have an enthusiastic attitude, develop good wholesome relationships with co-workers, be thankful for them and for their contributions, be authentic and honest, and look forward to learning something new every day, I assure you that you will be the kind of person that your colleagues will gravitate towards.?You will have fun at work, and you will enjoy your life.???

I'd like to thank all my colleagues who have shared feedback or advice with me over the past 5 years that have shaped who I am today. I have learned a lot and I hope that these tips are beneficial to you.