Significant Career Lesson From a VP Business Development at Propy
Tanya's most significant career lesson is to proactively solve problems, even if they fall outside of a job description, because "when there's a problem, be the person that solves that problem." Taking initiative and demonstrating problem-solving skills in this way not only helps the company but also positions the individual as a go-to person and opens doors for advancement.
Problem-Solving, Career Development, Actionable Tips, Leadership, Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tanya Solati
VP Business Development
Propy
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
University of Miami MSF
Finance
Education, Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Business Strategy
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Take initiative to solve problems, even if they're not your direct responsibility. This demonstrates problem-solving skills and proactive thinking.
2. Don't just highlight problems; focus on finding solutions and workarounds to ensure tasks are completed effectively.
3. Becoming known as a problem-solver can lead to recognition and career advancement opportunities.
Transcript
What's one lesson you've learned that's proven significant in your career?
That's a really good question. I would say when there is a problem, and maybe you're not the person in charge of that problem, find a way to solve it. Don't alert the whole company that you're going to solve the problem, but try to solve it.
When it's done, when you've solved it, then you can go ahead and say, "Hey, I solved this problem." This is an example I always give. At one of my jobs, the software was down, and somebody couldn't call their clients.
I thought, "Why can you not call the clients? You can definitely call the clients because you don't need the software." You can alert them, "Hey, software's down. We cannot go through specific data, but we can still call on the phone."
This was a case of somebody who found the problem and just blamed it on the software. They didn't think to solve the problem or find ways to go around it and make sure their tasks and jobs were completed.
So, my advice to everybody is to make sure you are able to solve problems. If there's a problem, be the person that solves that problem, even if it's not your responsibility. Because later on, when there's a problem, people will come to you and ask, "How should I solve this problem?" That's how you'll get promoted and move to the next position.