Significant Career Lesson From a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, learned early in their career at EY that "if you don't know something, ask," because the assumption is otherwise that you do; this vulnerability allowed them to learn from others and, in turn, mentor others later. This approach of acknowledging a lack of knowledge has been instrumental in their career development.
Communication, Problem-Solving, Overcoming Challenges, Confidence, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Max Kazimierek
Controller
Clear Sky Capital
University of Arizona 2013
N/A
Accounting
Real Estate
Finance
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. It's okay to not know everything and ask questions; admitting you don't know something prevents larger issues down the line.
2. Being vulnerable and admitting you need help is a strength, not a weakness. It facilitates learning and skill development.
3. Seeking help from those more experienced is valuable; it helps you learn and eventually teach others, contributing to overall skill development and team growth.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
Early on, I learned that if you don't know something, you should ask. If you don't, the assumption is that you know what you're doing.
As a staff accountant at EY, I found myself going to clients and not fully understanding things. I'd walk back and say I got it, but then a week later, someone on my team would ask about it. You'd be sitting there thinking, "Let me figure this out." The assumption is, if you don't say anything, you have it under control.
I think being vulnerable is a key skill. It's okay not to know something. That's why you start at a certain level, and there's someone above you who has likely experienced it before and can help you learn and apply it.
It's always okay to say, "I truly don't understand this, and I'd like to walk through it." There's always someone who will be supportive enough to sit down and talk it through, ensuring you understand. From there, it helps develop your skills. Eventually, someone will ask you, and you'll be able to say, "So-and-so taught me how to do this before, and I can teach somebody else."