Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Editor at Newsweek Magazine
Jenni, a Senior Editor at Newsweek, learned that demonstrating worth through consistent effort and success is key to career advancement. By proving "100% good faith effort" even on tasks with flawed strategies, then offering constructive feedback from a place of experience, Jenni earned credibility and the ability to influence decisions.
Communication, Leadership, Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jenni Fink
Senior Editor, National News
Newsweek Magazine
University of Arizona, 2013
N/a
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Demonstrate your worth by consistently exceeding expectations, even on tasks you disagree with.
2. Gain trust through 100% effort and successful task completion.
3. Use successful execution as a platform to offer constructive criticism and influence strategy.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
The most important thing I learned is that you need to demonstrate your worth. I gained the trust of everyone I work with and everyone who comes into the company by showing them I could do anything they asked of me.
I succeeded at those tasks even when I didn't believe in the strategy or thought it was misguided. I showed that I was putting in a 100% good faith effort to accomplish what they asked.
When I succeeded, I was able to give constructive feedback about why it wasn't working. People took me seriously. Now, if I say a certain strategy isn't feasible or we need to adjust something, they believe me.
They know I'm saying it because I believe it's best for the company. I'm telling them this from a place of experience, not just from someone who doesn't want to work hard or try new things.