SHOUTING OUT 04: Positivity
SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST ADVICE IS THE MOST IMPACTFUL. BELOW, SHOUT PR FOUNDER ERIKA KLEIN SHARES THE BEST CAREER ADVICE SHE’S EVER GOTTEN, AND EXPLAINS HOW ANYONE CAN APPLY IT TO MAKE THEIR DAY-TO-DAY WORK LIFE BETTER.
The best advice I got early in my career came during my very first job out of college. I was a sales rep for a brand called Nicole Miller. My boss was awesome: she was hardworking, enthusiastic, and always ready to take on the day. She told me always be positive, no matter how challenging things might get. When you’re in sales, there are so many challenging days. But, there are also successful days and those are the ones that keep you going. The positive attitude is key.
That advice still resonates with me today, as if it were yesterday that she told me. Owning a business for the past 23 years, I would say keeping that outlook in mind has helped both short-term and long term. You never know what the day will bring, so it’s important to always remain positive no matter what happens.
I have shared the idea of always being optimistic with my team. I greet them every day with a smile and ask them how they are doing. I would like everyone to keep that perspective when they are working with our clients and each other. So, the positive attitude and confidence needs to come from the top.
As a leader, I usually give advice when a situation is brought up to me directly. Or I will offer suggestions on ways that might be helpful if there’s a problem to be solved. I’ve worked with a number of amazing young professionals over the years, and there are a few other pieces of advice I like to impart by example and as we work together.
Don’t take anything personally. My team is extremely conscientious, professional and proactive, so if they ever feel down about a situation that might be happening with a project, I know that they have done the best job they can. My team knows that I support them 100%.
Don’t burn bridges, you never know when a former colleague might be in the position to hire you or work with you on a project.
Always say thank you, and writing a thank you note is even better.
Never be afraid to work with someone who might know more than you.
All these points are in line with the idea of remaining hopeful and open. Even on the hardest days, as long as you do your best and stay positive, you can be proud of your work and yourself.