Significant Career Lesson From An Assistant Athletic Director At University Of Nebraska Athletics
Mattie's most significant career lesson involved learning to amplify the voices of others, a pivotal moment stemming from a coworker's feedback about unintentionally minimizing their contributions in meetings. This experience underscored the importance of fostering trust and creating inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong and their contributions are valued, leading Mattie to consciously elevate less vocal team members.
Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Inclusion, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mattie Fowler Burkhardt
Assistant Athletic Director - Annual Giving
University of Nebraska Athletic Department
University of Nebraska, 2015
MBA, University of Nebraska
Finance
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking, Sports & Fitness
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Amplifying the voices of others is crucial for inclusive leadership.
2. Seek and value constructive criticism from colleagues to identify and address blind spots.
3. Building trust with coworkers enables open and honest communication, including difficult conversations that foster professional growth and inclusivity.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
There have been so many lessons. One lesson that really stands out to me is to use your power to amplify voices if you have it.
I had a coworker, one of my best friends, who challenged me one day and gave me some tough feedback. I needed that. You need people in your circle who are willing to give you honest feedback and call you out when you have a blind spot.
She told me that in meetings, I was occasionally talking over her. I thought I was helping to explain her points better, but it had the opposite effect. She felt like I was minimizing her voice. She said people respect my voice and what I have to say, so I need to use that power to amplify those in the room who might not have the same respect.
It was a pivotal moment for me to realize I loved that she felt comfortable enough to have an uncomfortable conversation and call me out. If someone doesn't tell you that, or you don't build trust with your coworkers or those you manage, they won't feel they can have open communication. Having those hard conversations is really important.
That has been a critical lesson for me: be aware of everyone around you and ensure those who may not have a voice are getting time in meetings and in discussions. If not, how are you elevating them? How are you making sure everyone on the team feels truly included and like they belong?