As graduates across the country turn their tassels and embark on life’s next chapter, The Alexander Group team is applauding their efforts with collective words of wisdom.
Our thoughts for 2024 graduates veer more toward the practical, but we also value resilience, a trait needed no matter where you are in life.
John Lamar, Managing Director
Q: What are two to three practical tips you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Try to exercise every day. It’s a great reliever of stress.
Communicate with clients every day. Past, present and future clients. It is what I do, and it is how I try to set an example. Jane does it, Johnny does it and Amanda does it. It’s so important for any person in business.
We all make mistakes. Admit it. Apologize for it and move on.
Jane Howze, Managing Director
Q: What’s a practical tip you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Over communicate. No one complains about over communication.
John Mann, Managing Director
Q: What are two to three practical tips you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Maintain a sense of urgency and anticipate and exceed your client’s expectations; take leadership, ownership and responsibility in your career and work; find a career that you enjoy (I know it’s cliché, but true).
Kyle Robinson, Director of Research
Q: What’s a practical tip you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Best tip I could give: utilize a second brain.
Don’t try and remember all the tasks and deadlines you have, both professionally and personally.
As soon as a thought pops into your mind, write it down in your second brain (a notebook, the notes app on your phone, your calendar) and reference it later when either finishing your day or planning the next.
De-clutter your mind so that you can be more intentional with your daily projects.
Jacqueline Griffin, Director of Accounting and Administration
-How have you fostered resilience throughout your career? Why is resilience important?
By adapting to change and developing a growth mindset by believing in my ability to learn and grow from experiences. View change and challenges as opportunities to develop rather than obstacles.
Resilience is important because it enables one to overcome obstacles and pursue goals with confidence and determination.
William Lepiesza, Director
Q: What are two to three practical tips you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Put in the time upfront to ensure success at the end: conduct thorough due diligence, know your client as well or better than they know themselves, and do your best to anticipate where problems or issues might occur
When issues or obstacles do arise, don’t simply communicate problems, communicate solutions: don’t leave it up to the client to figure out the answer, provide alternative paths, and recommendations to overcome hurdles.
There are many external factors and things we can’t control, so do your absolute best to control the things that you can.
Sarah Mitchell, Director
Q: What’s a practical tip you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Don’t forget to find inspiration and fulfillment outside of your job.
It can be from family, a rich social life, making art, a physical practice (yoga, running, team sports, weightlifting, whatever), adventure travel, and so on. Finding a sense of self-value outside of your job will help you weather the inevitable ups and downs in your career. And beyond that, it will lead you being a more authentic, inspired, and interesting person–that’s the kind of person others want to work with.
Beth Ehrgott, Managing Director
Q: How have you fostered resilience throughout your career? Why is resilience important?
A: A few thoughts:
Aristotle quote:
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
And these are my own thoughts:
You will have to fight to have a seat at the table…and then keep it. Be resilient and relentless.
You will be pushed to your limits and resilience and being relentless will empower you with the mindset to embrace setbacks as opportunities.
Show up everyday and there will always be adversity and more to learn and conquer.
Commit to lifelong learning.
Always act with integrity and compassion and they must never be compromised.
Anthony Ott, Senior Associate
Q: What’s a practical tip you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Find the right balance between pushing boundaries and drawing from life’s lessons. You must do both.
The only way to create life lessons is by pushing the boundaries. It will always be a consistent pendulum swing. Life lessons learned can shape how you should push the boundaries. Pushing those boundaries will shape new life lessons.
You will never know if you don’t try. Always be willing to set your pride aside, make necessary adjustments, then push the boundaries again.
Jonathan Daniels, Associate
Q: What are two to three practical tips you employ that makes you successful at your job?
A: Use a calendar for everything in your life, and proactively plan your days. I have missed lots of events and deadlines because I was not organized. Today, my calendar helps keep me on track for everything I need to accomplish, a good record for follow-up with clients, and plan trips with friends.
Proactively Communicate. Despite Elon Musk’s best efforts, we cannot read minds yet. Always share updates with your supervisor, clients, and other stakeholders so they are aware of your work and can better partner with you.
Assume Positive Intent. Life is too short to worry about other people. Be kind, do your best, and always assume others are doing the same.
Document everything. You will forget your notes and you will need to show proof to others. Clients and Courts alike need paper trails.