What Type Of Person Thrives In Tech, According To A Producer At A Tech Company
Sib, a producer at a Fortune 100 tech company, highlights the importance of "building relationships, having empathy, and having curiosity" for career success. The ability to understand a "bigger picture" and engage in "real human conversation" rather than solely relying on technology fosters collaboration and creates a more cohesive work environment, ultimately contributing to professional growth.
Empathy, Teamwork, Communication, Curiosity, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sib Santos
Producer
Fortune 100 Tech Company
California State University, Chico
n/a
Business Management & Admin
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Empathy and curiosity are key skills for thriving in this industry. Understanding the bigger picture and considering others' perspectives, even when challenges arise, are crucial.
2. Building strong relationships and having a team-oriented mindset are vital for success. Collaboration and communication skills are highly valued.
3. While hard skills are important, soft skills like empathy and the ability to build rapport are equally crucial. The ability to work effectively with others and foster a collaborative environment contributes significantly to career growth.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
I'm going to talk about feelings again, since I've covered a lot of soft skills. Broadly across multiple departments at my workplace, they conduct training focused on who you are and how you show up at work. I believe I'm at a point in my career where I can see the benefits of building relationships, having empathy, and cultivating curiosity.
There was a time when someone on my team, upon starting, would react with, "Why would they do this?" I worked with him to understand that others likely have deliverables we aren't aware of, and we're just one small piece of their work. It's about self-awareness: we're not the top priority, and while we still need what we need, we must understand the bigger picture.
This applies whether you're working with other companies or departments. It comes back to asking questions. You may not need to know all their responsibilities, but be aware they aren't intentionally delivering incorrectly. There's likely a miscommunication, something isn't clear, they need more time, or they're overwhelmed. In those cases, we need to work with them to get what we need earlier next time.
Curiosity and a team mindset, likely from my background in team sports, have been crucial throughout my career. Lessons learned on the field are so important in the office. Empathy and pausing for a human conversation when needed are also vital. Technology can only get us so far; you can tell when people are just typing back and forth to solve an issue.
When you show up and see someone, remembering we are all humans first, I believe that's a significant part of how you thrive. Of course, hard skills are important. But if no one wants to work with you and you develop that reputation, it's harder to grow. If people don't want to work with you or feel they can't ask you questions, and they're always pushing away, it won't create a cohesive, collaborative environment where everyone can thrive.