23 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in My Career

In honor of Liveops’ 23rd birthday this year, Cheryl Gunn, SVP of Operations at Liveops, shares 23 things she wishes she knew earlier in her career.   

1. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what’s right. It can be intimidating to use our voice among peers, especially as a woman. Confidence is a muscle that needs to be worked, and exercising this early on in a career goes a long way.  

2. Soft skills are as important as hard skills, if not more so. You can learn hard skills. 

3. Remember to celebrate your team’s successes and milestones. 

4. Identify your communication styles and understand others so you are a master communicator, no matter who you are interacting with. 

Live with compassion and lead with empathy.  

6. Be passionate about things outside of work- Find something you’re passionate about outside of work and dedicate adequate time to it. 

7. It’s okay to ask for help. 

8. Keep track of your accomplishments and talk about them. Be comfortable promoting yourself, you are your best advocate. 

9. Ask questions and don’t be afraid of the answers. Feedback can be hard, but it is a learning opportunity every time. 

Be agile and adaptable. This lesson, exemplified by the COVID pandemic, proves that being nimble as a business and a leader is critical.  

11. Seek out mentors and advice from experienced professionals – in your field and others. 

12. Believe in the purpose/ mission of the company you’re working for. 

13. Own and build your personal brand, it is a constant reflection of who you are. 

14. Trust your team. Find the right people who complement your leadership style and lean on them to operate accordingly.  

15. Networking is key. Build relationships with people in your industry and keep those relationships forever. Don’t forget about the great people you worked with 10 years ago. 

Every day is an opportunity to create a memorable experience. 

17. Continuously learning new skills and technology is important. 

18. Earn the right to grow with your clients. Relationships aren’t given, it’s hard work to cultivate strong relationships 

19. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace it, don’t be afraid of it. 

20. “One Team” concept – remember that you’re all on the same team 

21. Taking care of your team and colleagues produces better outcomes. 

22. Customers may not always be right, but they are the reason we’re in business. 

It’s not always going to be easy, but it will be worth it! Adversity builds strength, even though it doesn’t feel like it in the moment.