Significant Career Lesson From A Chief Revenue Officer At Braintrust Tutors
Jon, a CRO at Braintrust Tutors, learned that balancing "the results you're trying to achieve in business" with fostering strong relationships and a positive work environment is crucial for long-term success. This involves considering how decisions impact "the various people who are around you," ensuring both productivity and happiness while achieving company goals.
Executive/Leadership, Workplace Challenges, Achieving Goals, Teamwork, Ethical Dilemmas
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jon Small
CRO
Braintrust Tutors
McGill University 2000
MA NYU and MBA UCLA
Fine Arts, Music, Psychology
Education
Education
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Prioritize strong personal relationships alongside achieving business goals.
2. Balance the drive for results with creating positive employee experiences.
3. Seek to foster a work environment where all individuals feel happy and productive.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
This is a great question. I've learned many lessons, but one that I often think about helps you understand where you fit in your career and your life.
In business, there's always a drive to do better, meet quarterly numbers, and achieve year-over-year growth. These are important, but sometimes they can conflict with treating people with respect, building strong personal relationships, and enjoying what you do.
Companies like Google, especially in their boom years, seemed to strike a good balance. However, most companies focused on numbers can sometimes be harsh with people. This can lead to experiences where employees question why they are doing the job or if they want to stay with the company long-term.
My lesson from this is to always consider two things: the business results you're trying to achieve, and the people around you. These include colleagues, superiors, and those reporting to you. Can you make all of them happy and productive while pursuing larger company goals?