I guess growing up in Blacksburg, South Carolina and working in Savannah and Atlanta, then coming to New York could be viewed as a cultural change. It’s interesting because it started with a discussion with a partner in Atlanta. I was a manager. The discussion was primarily around getting exposure, working on different things and gaining new opportunities. Out of the discussion came the opportunity to relocate to New York. I considered the opportunity in terms of exposure and career development. I think that was primary for my career. I also had to consider what I would be leaving at the Atlanta office, having developed relationships there.
Interestingly enough, the least of my worries was finding a way to get here and fit in and make it work. I made sure I didn't have any set expectations and that I didn't compare the north with the south--I didn't judge one or the other. With that mindset, it was actually quite liberating when I came. Everything I saw that was different I didn’t try to make any kind of comparative judgment about it and I was able to see things for what they really were.
Diversity of ideas
I’m intrigued by and appreciate what a diverse upbringing brings to the table. Whether it’s growing up in the south of the US versus growing up in the north or growing up in another country, whether it’s gender or economic background — my mindset is expanded by talking to people who have different experiences.
If you have smart people with diverse backgrounds focusing on the same issue, you can’t match that in terms of productivity, you can’t match that in terms of idea creation. How I think about solving a problem is based on my experience and my understanding. How you think about it is based on your experience and your understanding. If I seek the best solution, then I want a diversity of ideas. I think that the best thing that I can do for an associate or anyone else for that matter is to create an environment where they can feel valued and feel comfortable expressing those ideas. |
