Significant Career Lesson From A Producer At A Major Media Company
Danielle, a producer at a major media company, learned to separate professional feedback from personal feelings, stating that "feedback on how something goes on a show is not personal feedback on you." This crucial lesson allows for objective evaluation of situations, strengthens performance as a producer, and fosters a healthier work-life balance.
Work-Life Balance, Stress Management, Resilience, Overcoming Challenges, Professional Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Danielle Witz
Producer
Major Media Company
Occidental College
History, Art History
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Disassociate personal feelings from work feedback.
2. Objectively analyze work situations.
3. Maintain a healthy work-life balance by separating personal life from work.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
A lesson that's helped me a lot in my career is not to take work so personally. At the beginning, it was hard to separate feedback on, say, a part of a production that didn't run smoothly.
I would take that personally and think, "Oh my god, I'm a disaster because people didn't like this meeting and it didn't go well." I felt like that was all on me.
As I've spent more time in this field, I've learned that aspects of it are messy, and things won't always go perfectly. Feedback on how something goes on a show is not personal feedback on you.
This lesson helps me look at situations more objectively, makes me a stronger producer, and helps me maintain a better work-life balance. It's very easy to make work 100% of your life, especially in a job you really love. Being able to take your personal feelings out of work is really important.