Thanksgiving Thoughts & Thankful for a New Promotion!

I realized while putting together my account team newsletter this month that November is officially my 14-year anniversary with JLL. LinkedIn will tell you something slightly different because of changing job titles - but HR data bases never lie!

In 2005 I decided to leave a successful role working as a F&B Director for the Marriott Hartford Downtown. My father had suffered a stroke and I needed to work closer to home to support him while he convalesced. Also, I was burned out from the hour commute and the long days and stress of the position. My best friend, a Pfizer colleague, helped me get an interview with a company Pfizer had outsourced facility management services to at the Groton and New London Connecticut offices. The company was JCI, and I interviewed with a wonderful man named Ken Bishop who promptly told me I was overqualified for the position, but that he would love to have me as their Facilities Assistant. I took the job because, well I needed a job, and I didn't mind taking a step back in pay to get what I really desired which was closeness to home, more normal hours and less stress.

Six months into the new position, I was doing well when the contract went out to market. A new company entered the competitive field of IFM management bidding, and the Pfizer facilities management contract was awarded to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). I and all the JCI employees had to apply for jobs with the new firm. This time I interviewed with another great guy, Mike Algiere, and I remember putting together an actual slide show on what my job was and how I supported the team. Mike, much like Ken said, your overqualified for your job, but I would love for you to come to work with JLL. I signed my offer letter on November 12, 2007 as an Administrative Assistant - I actually still have it! Around seven promotions and 14 years later, on November 1, 2021, I accepted the role of Account Director with JLL (no more printed letters, it’s all virtual now).

During my time with JLL, I have worked for 10 Account Directors (BTW only 3 of them were woman and only one diverse – we have some work to do here!) and I think in the back of my mind and most of theirs, they knew that one day I would have that role. To be certain, I wasn't always sure I wanted it, but now that I am here, I can't tell you how excited I am to be a leader with a company which has seen and supported me through a long journey of work and life changes. I believe the most important 2 tasks I have in this role is to bring my client excellence in all the services they receive from JLL and to ensure that each and every one of the "Darlenes" that now report into me has the opportunities and support that I had over these years. I’m excited (and a little overwhelmed) to take it on, but I have a great team and some fantastic support to make it happen!

My advice to everyone who is somewhere along their career path is that there will be nay-sayers along the way who will say you aren’t ready – don’t listen.?There will be times when you think you can’t take the next step – believe in yourself because you can. There will be times when you fail and make a mistake – get back up and remember to avoid that pitfall the next time – you may fall, but you will rise.

It's November – time to celebrate Thanksgiving, my 14-year JLL anniversary and to officially announce my promotion as one of the newest Work Dynamics Account Directors with JLL!

#JLL?#THANKFUL #GRATEFUL #READY