So, it’s been a year since I graduated from college, and I was just thinking today about the lessons I’ve learned in the past year and a half.It has been an amazing journey, but that’s a topic for another time because in this piece I’d like to focus solely on the most valuable lessons I learned from working in the technology industry.
“Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than the one where they sprang up.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes
The very first lesson I learnt was to collaborate, not compete. This promoted the spread of ideas within the company and allowed me to innovate more efficiently. I quickly noticed that people like supporting supportive people. Working together allowed me to get to know my colleagues better and build strong social connections. Collaborating on a problem always included brainstorming sessions, and I learned a lot once I started paying attention to other people’s points of view. People with diverse professional experience and knowledge backgrounds see the same situation from a different perspective. Rather than working in an environment where I felt constantly in competition with my peers, I adopted a collaborative mindset that allowed each person to be valued on their own merits. This created a more positive and relaxed work environment for me, and when I entered the office, I felt confident that I was among colleagues rather than competitors.
“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” — Eric Hoffer
I first heard the term “growth mindset” in an interview clip with Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, which inspired me to learn more about it and apply it to my professional life. Nadella was talking about how Microsoft’s goal with this large-scale cultural transformation has been to evolve from a culture of “know-it-alls” to a culture of “learn-it-alls.” I tried to shift towards a growth mindset by inculcating the following habits of a learn-it-all:
- A learn-it-all aims to learn anything and everything, constantly developing and growing for the better.
- He focuses on always being a beginner and that there’s always something new to learn, no matter how accomplished he thinks he is already in a topic or skill.
- A learn-it-all has a mindset that if you don’t unlearn what is now irrelevant and make room for new knowledge, you will get left behind.
- A learn-it-all tries to test what they know and put it into practice to see if it’s right, like a scientist testing a hypothesis.
- They are constantly asking questions to satisfy their appetite for learning.
“Inclusion elevates all.” — Elaine Hall
At first, I didn’t understand why corporations valued workplace inclusion so highly, but as I learned more about the relevance of each of the criteria stated below, I realised the gravity of the influence they have on an individual.
- When employees feel like they “have a voice,” they’re more likely to share their opinions with others.
- An employee’s sense of connection to their company is built on belonging — the feeling that you’re a part of an environment that knows and values you.
- Just like an employee needs belonging and connection, they also need to feel unique among their peers and that their company cares about their individual strengths and experiences.
- When an employee feels that their voice and unique self are appreciated, there’s a greater sense of value and satisfaction.
- Employees who have access to learning and development opportunities know that their company cares about their ideas, aspirations, and growth.
“It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.” — Herman Melville
Last but not least, I’d like to discuss some of my personal beliefs and experiences that have positively affected my professional life. I work in Software Development and this might be too niche.
- Not having religion on tech stack is refreshing! All fields in the tech industry have about 10–20 core principles, and the tech stack is just trying to make those things easier.
- I’ve learned to be honest with my superiors. Well, honest enough where I can be authentic at work.
- The most underrated skill to learn as an engineer is how to document. A good code is which is understandable by a new comer in the office.
- My self worth is not a function of or correlated with my total compensation. Capitalism is a poor way to determine self-worth.
- The best demonstration of great leadership is when my leader took the fall for a mistake that was 100% my fault. As a result, I’ve built such a strong bond with my boss that I’ll walk on fire for him.
