Significant Career Lesson From A Strategy Lead At Edpuzzle
Kelsey, a Strategy Lead at Edpuzzle, emphasizes the importance of building strong connections throughout one's career, stating that "knowing how to connect with people, knowing how to network...how to get people's trust and their buy-in" is crucial for success, regardless of one's role or industry, particularly in the close-knit EdTech community. This skillset, applicable from entry-level positions to C-suite roles, is a key ingredient for effective project execution and career advancement.
Networking, Communication, Relationship Building, Leadership, Project Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelsey Smith
Strategy Lead
Edpuzzle
UCLA
UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Entertainment, Music & Arts, Psychology
Education, Technology
Business Strategy
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Build meaningful relationships and trust with colleagues and leadership. Networking is crucial for success, especially in smaller communities like EdTech.
2. Collaboration and trust are essential for broader projects that require buy-in from various stakeholders.
3. Strong interpersonal skills are valuable at all career levels, from entry-level roles to executive positions. This includes building rapport with colleagues, customers and management.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
One of the most important things, which probably can't be overstated, is the connections you make with different people you work with. This is also true if you're going to stay in a specific industry like education technology, or edtech.
While there are many opportunities in edtech, it's also a tight-knit community. Knowing how to connect with people, how to network both within and outside your company, is crucial.
Developing good, meaningful relationships and gaining people's trust and buy-in is especially important for projects with a broader scope. You need to earn trust from leadership and others involved.
This skill is valuable at any level, from your first day at a company. It applies whether you're in a customer success or support role, interacting with colleagues, customers, and managers. It also applies to the CEO, who engages in a different type of relationship building and maintenance. However, it all falls under the same skillset.
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