Significant Career Lesson From A Head Of Marketing Strategy At Storybook Marketing
Cami, Head of Marketing Strategy at Storybook Marketing, emphasizes the importance of "always lead[ing] with kindness and grace," because a strong professional reputation built on positive relationships—even outside of work—can significantly impact career advancement, as illustrated by a personal anecdote where a prior positive relationship unexpectedly influenced a job interview outcome. This approach, Cami suggests, is more impactful than simply listing accomplishments on a resume.
Networking, Professionalism, Reputation Management, Interpersonal Skills, Career Advice
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Cami Bartel
Head of Marketing Strategy
Storybook Marketing, formerly The Knot Worldwide
Texas Christian University
MBA from Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Communications
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Lead with kindness and grace: Your reputation and how people perceive you are crucial for career success. Networking extends beyond professional connections; personal relationships can significantly impact your opportunities.
2. Professional and personal life intertwine: Maintain positive relationships, as people you know personally can influence your career trajectory through unexpected connections.
3. Reputation matters more than accomplishments alone: While skills and experience are important, being a kind and gracious person can open doors and create opportunities that might not otherwise be available. A strong professional reputation is built on both professional and personal interactions.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
This is a great question, and one I feel very passionate about. I'll share an anecdote that might help explain my perspective.
My biggest piece of advice is to always lead with kindness and grace. This is a life lesson that applies to many situations.
Your reputation and how people perceive you significantly influence whether they want to work with you. Being a nice person and someone enjoyable to work with speaks louder than accomplishments on your resume.
This is because your professional and personal lives often intertwine more than you might expect. When I was interviewing for Vibes, the person I interviewed with, who later became my manager, discovered during the interview that he was married to my former intern supervisor.
Luckily, I had stayed in touch with her and we were very close. He asked her about me after the interview, and she essentially served as another reference.
Consider the alternative: what if I hadn't been a good intern, or had left on bad terms, or simply wasn't a pleasant person? He would have heard negative feedback, impacting my chances for the job.
They had a personal relationship, and my conduct with her had a direct impact on my career opportunity. This shows how people's lives outside of work can matter.
It's not just about your LinkedIn connections or colleagues. Your friends, family, and even acquaintances can influence your career and future opportunities.
Therefore, you must always be kind and gracious. You never know who knows someone, and your reputation as a nice person will always carry more weight than your listed accomplishments.