What is important to you? Is it your career? Your family? Personal hobbies? For me, my best days are when I am able to dedicate time to both work and home. With so much going on in my life, there’s a reason I’ve chosen to make Vanguard my (professional) home for more than a decade – balance. My role with Vanguard offers me the ability to balance my personal needs with professional expectations, because of the mutual understanding that there are priorities from both sides.

For example, my wife has been very understanding on the late nights when I have things to finish at the office. My supervisor is understanding when I have to call off work because my three year old is sick. There have also been occasions when both my supervisor and my wife are understanding that I requested a day off to play golf or go snowboarding. So, how am I able to feel productive and still have a personal life? It takes a blend of many different values…

Health

I remember going for a run around campus during my first summer at Vanguard. I was returning to my building when I came across a parking lot with a basketball court. As it turns out, Vanguard has recess! Every day that it’s warm and the court is dry, 8-20 crew members meet to play some pickup basketball. After that fateful run, I changed my lunchtime routine so I could join the others on the court. Every day, I feel like I’m in 3^rd grade heading out to play with my friends. It’s such a great way to relieve stress and clear my head, and it’s amazing how something as small as just having a basketball court on campus has an impact towards someone’s wellbeing. Vanguard understands that.

Flexibility

I was three years into my career when my wife gave birth to our first son. My supervisor at the time helped me plan to take a week of PTO starting the day that my wife went into labor. Not only was I encouraged to take the time, but everything went smoothly while I was out. Four years later, we had another son, and I took another week of PTO. Two years after that, things had changed – Vanguard was now offering paternity leave. I was able to take six weeks to spend with my family – a time that made a world of difference in getting my family settled.

In my experience, Vanguard is an extremely flexible company to work for. But first, you must learn how to do your job and do it well. Once you have established yourself as a productive crew member, then look to gain flexibility in the work place. Which brings us to…

Determination

I was lucky to get my first job with Vanguard. I was hired in 2008 during the economic recession and jobs in the financial industry were difficult to come by. It was a competitive time and I knew I had to work very hard to distinguish myself as a top performer. This feeling of constant focus on performance is something it took time to get used to. I had worked a few jobs since college, but none that had long term career possibilities. That was not the case.

I embraced this pressure and strived to be a distinguished crew member at Vanguard. In order to do that, I had to hold myself to a high standard. Sometimes that includes working late or coming in early. Sometimes I have to skip basketball during lunch. Sometimes I can’t make it to yoga class in the morning. I have missed dinner at the in-laws (not the worst thing). I know that the more I put into my work, the more I achieve. Finding balance during both the busy times and lulls at work is my goal.

Patience

Flash back to 2012. I felt ready for a promotion after having spent a few years in my position and receiving positive feedback. I knew that I would get my chance if I was just patient. After discussing opportunities with my supervisor, I learned that management would not be backfilling the position that could lead to a promotion for me. After I had this information, I knew it was time to seek other opportunities at Vanguard.

I went from Vanguard’s Institutional Investor Group to Vanguard’s Financial Advisor Services. The new department was definitely a change of pace: I had to learn a whole new system, new processes, and different terms. Once I was up to speed, I used this as an opportunity to develop myself professionally. I took on extra responsibility. I established new connections and kept in touch with my current network.

Luckily my patience paid off. Not long after I left my old department, the management team opened the position that I wanted. I had been ready for this promotion for years, but I did not let that stop me from preparing for the interview process. I knew what people had done in the past in that role and knew what I wanted to change going forward. I am currently still working in that position and consistently find new challenges and ways to grow within the department.

So what do I want you to take away from my story? First off, good things come to those who work hard. Also, it is important to balance your hard work with times of relaxation. Balancing relaxation with hard work does not always go according to plan and it is important to be flexible when things are not going your way. Patience pays off: when the right opportunity comes along, it will feel like things were just meant to be.

-Andrew B.

If you enjoyed this post, check out more from our #LifeatVanguard Blog. And if you’re ready for a more rewarding, engaging, meaningful career, search our opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.

As more and more employers search for candidates online, it’s more essential than ever to have a strong brand on social media. In this step by step series on creating your brand, you’ll learn how to get started, glean tips from branding experts, and discover what really hooks an audience.

Kick start your social brand by…

1. Looking Your Best

Personal versus professional branding – it’s a blurred line. Information that can be found in a Google search (try it!) or on social media is part of your brand. Make sure what you send out into the social universe reflects the impression you want to make.

2. Growing Your Professional Network

Your profiles look great and you are ready to connect with others! But your current network only includes a smattering of co-workers, past and present. Let’s help you make some fresh and impactful connections.

3. Sharing Your Story

You’ve updated your profile and you’ve made more connections to enhance your network. Now it’s time to tell your story and shape your brand. LinkedIn is your digital business card – so how can you communicate your value and make a memorable impression across social media channels?

4. Staying Engaged

Your profile looks good, your network is waiting, and you’ve got a good strategy in place – now it’s time to get more engaged! In this blog, we share tips on finding content, staying organized, how to avoid common disengagement traps, and more.

For more career tips and advice follow us on LinkedIn and check out our careers blog. And if you’re seeking an environment where you can make a difference and develop professionally, check out our career opportunities at www.vanguardjobs.com.

Our new blog series will help kick start your personal and professional brand on social media. We’ll cover looking your best, growing your network, shaping your story, and staying engaged. Read our last blog about telling your story and shaping your brand.

Out of sight, out of mind. Don’t let that be you. You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Your profile looks good, your network is waiting, you’ve got a good strategy in place – now it’s time to get more engaged! But first, be careful of these disengagement traps:

• I get lost on all the platform changes
• I don’t have time to keep up with it
• I’m not taking full advantage so I quit
• I just don’t get it, it’s not for me

Staying engaged IS possible and we’ll make it easy for you with a few tips.

How do I find content that supports my brand strategy?

When thinking about what to write and share it’s always helpful to start by brainstorming a list. Based on the content you learned about in the previous blog, start to jot down a few ideas for each one. Here are some examples:

How do I get organized?

Curating content to read and share can be as organized or unorganized as you like. It all depends on what you are comfortable with and if you need extra help staying active on social. For example, you can use some of the tools and ideas below to streamline content that is meaningful to you.

• Bookmark your favorite sources of content in a folder on your browser
• Set up RSS feeds from your favorite blogs
• Use Feedly to combine your RSS feeds
• Try Flipboard to aggregate news and social
• Set up Google Alerts to find recent press and content based on relevant keywords
• Create a Twitter list for a group of people that specialize in a certain field
• Conduct keyword searches in LinkedIn for relevant posts
• Use tools like Hootsuite and Buffer to schedule your posts

Don’t feel you need to do all of these things. If you are already very active on social media, you may not need an organized approach and can try one or two of the ideas above.

What should I write when I introduce content in my post?

We are all lazy sometimes when it comes to sharing content, but remember, it’s your honesty, generosity, and authenticity that gets the attention of your network. Talk like a real person.

If you are struggling to come up with an original introduction for your post, try some of these approaches:

How often should I post?

With the variety of content we discussed in a previous blog post there are plenty of options to differentiate your posts. Here are some guidelines broken down by channel:

LinkedIn, 1-2 times a day

Facebook, 2-3 times per day

Twitter, 5 times per day

Instagram, 1-2 times per day

Pinterest, 5 times per day

Snapchat, constantly (just kidding)

If LinkedIn is the only channel you use for your professional network, once a day should not be too hard.

“On LinkedIn, you may not have control over how often your content or profile is viewed, but you can increase the chances of your brand getting noticed by being more visible to your network.  And that starts by increasing your activity. The more active you are on LinkedIn, the more “known” you will become to your network who will potentially like and share your content, reaching a much broader audience.

So stay engaged, and don’t forget that passion is personal branding fuel, so post and share content that you are passionate about. Always make sure to introduce the content you share. Your network is more likely to read your post if it has your personal touch.”

-Kendall W., Recruiter

Set a goal!

Schedule time on your calendar each day to review content (similar to the way professionals used to open up the newspaper with their morning coffee). When you like, comment, and share others’ posts, that is an act of engagement. LinkedIn is a professional networking channel, so it’s not only about your content. Talk to others!

Schedule your social posts for the week if that works best for you or set aside 5 minutes every day to post. Staying engaged doesn’t have to be impossible. Figure out what methods work for you and be consistent.

We hope you enjoyed this series about kick-starting your personal brand on social. With these tips you can move forward to make a positive impact and lasting impression. Don’t forget to own who you are and how you make people feel. It’s the reputation you’ve built, your story, and your image on social that makes you unique.

For more career tips and advice from Vanguard follow us on LinkedIn and check out our careers blog. Want to read more from this series? Check them out here: looking your best, growing your network, and shaping your story.

Our new blog series will help kick start your personal and professional brand on social media.  Read the last blog to learn how to make connections and build your network.

You’ve updated your profile and you’ve made some more connections to enhance your network. Now it’s time to tell your story and shape your brand. LinkedIn is your digital business card – so how can you communicate your value and make a memorable impression across social media channels?

1. How do you want to be perceived on social media? Do you want to be known as a reliable source of information on a certain topic, an expert in a particular field, a thought leader for your company, a proponent for your profession, or are you someone new to your career or field who can offer insights and advice? There are many different perspectives from which you can begin to brand yourself.

Try asking yourself some of these questions to find topics that feel right for you.

• What do you enjoy reading about?
• What are you passionate about and interested in?
• What do other people tell you that you are good at?
• How long have you been interested in this topic and will it last?

2. Create a content strategy. This is not as hard as it sounds. It’s important to figure out what you want to focus on that will help you achieve the brand you want. Start by outlining some content ideas for social that support the brand you are creating and will be valuable to the audience you are trying to build. The key is to post a variety and be more generous than selfish.

When sharing content consider these ideas:

3. Visual content stands out. Have you ever heard the phrase, “people hear what they see”? Most articles you share will pull over the image along with it. Some of the most popular and engaging posts on social media are your own photos with authentic content. Photos and videos get the most attention. Challenge yourself to think of ways to tell your story through pictures. But check out your company’s social media rules before you start taking photos at work and at work events.

4. Be human. Be yourself. Let your personality shine through. Emotions are contagious. Remember that people are not usually impressed by titles, network size, years of experience, big words and professional speak, or name dropping. What grabs attention is kindness, generosity, humility, optimism, integrity, and trust.

“When I’m writing posts for social media about my field of work, I ask myself “how would I describe this concept to my 10-year-old?” This exercise helps me balance the desire to be credible and professional with the need to be clear and compelling.”

Beth H., Communications Manager

Set a goal!

Take a few minutes to outline focus areas for what types of content you will write and share.  This will help keep your story, and brand, consistent and easier to manage.

Remember, the content you write and share is your voice on social. Branding yourself doesn’t happen overnight. But once you try a few of the suggestions above, your audience will grow and perception will become reality. We’ll talk about staying engaged in Part 4 of our series.

For more career tips and advice from Vanguard follow us on LinkedIn and check out our careers blog. If you are looking for additional tips to create a content marketing strategy for yourself check out Neil Patel’s helpful blog.

Our new blog series will help kick start your personal and professional brand on social media. We’ll cover looking your best, growing your network, sharing your story, and staying engaged. Read the last blog to learn how to improve your LinkedIn profile.

Your profiles look great and you are ready to connect with others! But your current network only includes a smattering of co-workers, past and present. Let’s help you make some fresh and impactful connections.

Who is in your bubble that would make a good professional connection?

• Colleagues in other departments
• Peers within volunteer groups you belong to
• Friends and neighbors outside of work

Who is not in your immediate circle, but would be a good connection?

• Alumni of schools or organizations you’ve belonged to
• Peers in similar roles at other companies
• People you meet at conferences
• Influencers in your field
• Authors of books, blogs, and articles
• Members of larger professional organizations you belong to

Connecting gets easier the more you do it. Here are a few ideas on how to reach out. Keep it short and to the point. In fact, LinkedIn has a character limit for their connection notes, so you’ll have to keep it brief.

You can always hit the connect button without an additional note, but the chances of someone accepting your invitation greatly increase if you reach out to them in a more personal way. Don’t take it personally if they don’t accept or never respond. It happens. People are busy. And since people can be reached a variety of ways nowadays, they are wary of spam, so be careful of phrases that sound too “salesy” or too self-serving.

Don’t forget about Facebook. Yes, Facebook!

Another good way to gather professional connections is through Facebook.  More and more people are starting to use Facebook groups professionally. To find these groups all you have to do is ask either on your own newsfeed, in a community group, an alumni group, school group, or even neighborhood group. For example, “Hi everyone. Does anyone within this group work in the XYZ space? If so I’d like to connect and pick your brain about something. I work for XYZ company in ABC department.” You can reply to any respondents, connect with them on LinkedIn, and possibly message them to schedule time to chat. Respondents might also refer you to other groups on Facebook that are applicable to your profession. The most active and targeted professional discussions sometimes take place within private Facebook groups.

There is also Twitter!

If you already use Twitter you might consider creating a separate work related handle. Once you do, you can start to follow influencers in your professional niche, leaders you admire, peers at other companies, and news and professional outlets that publish relevant content. It’s a great way to stay updated. If you choose to tweet, share useful professional content and retweet valuable content that you’ve found by following others.

“As professionals, building a network of other talented individuals gives you the support we all too often lack in both our personal and professional lives. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to move up in your career, or if you’re perfectly happy in your current role. Having a network of other professionals will make your work life richer, more interesting, and may just help you grow your talents.”

– Allen P., Department Head, Editorial & Creative Operations

Set a goal!

Try to make 1-2 new connections a week. Block time on your calendar to do this. Remember, the quality of your network is more important than the size. When you open up tabs in your browser every morning make LinkedIn one of them. Read some updates from your network, conduct a search or two, and send a connection request if you find someone of interest.

Networking isn’t always easy and it doesn’t come naturally for many people. But once you try a few of the suggestions above, and have a few new connections under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to building a great network. We’ll talk about sharing and shaping your story in Part 3 of our series.

For more career tips and advice from Vanguard follow us on LinkedIn and check out our careers blog. If you are interested in learning more about personal marketing and branding check out this Harvard Business Review Article, How to make the right connections when you don’t already have an in by branding expert Dorie Clark.

Our new blog series will help kick start your personal and professional brand on social media. We’ll cover looking your best, growing your network, sharing your story, and staying engaged.

Personal versus professional branding. It’s a blurred line. Any information about you that can be found in a Google search (try it!) or on social media is a part of your brand. Make sure that what you are sending out into the social universe reflects how you want to be perceived. Personal branding is the image you portray and the lasting impression you make.

Speaking of your image, do you look like this on LinkedIn?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered below.

Is your LinkedIn profile stale? Maybe you set up your profile when you were job hunting, but haven’t updated it since. LinkedIn offers more than just jobs. It’s a legitimate professional networking site and your image on it is important. It’s also a good starting place to create a professional persona that can carry over onto other channels.

Your story on LinkedIn begins with your profile. Here are five things you can do to start building your brand.

1. Start with a professional headshot and background image/cover photo. Profiles with photos generate 21-times more profile views*. Profiles without both of these images look incomplete. Don’t have easy access to a professional photographer? The new smart phones have great cameras. Grab a friend to help. Avoid wearing white or too much of a pattern, look for good lighting, and pick a plain or pleasant background for your headshot.  For the cover photo/background image, choose something that is personal to you. The most widely used background images are landscapes. Don’t use family photos and make sure the image isn’t stretched or blurry.

2. Include the basics: the location where you are based, the industry in which you work, your education and interests. These essentials are key and should be fairly easy to update.
3. Draft a headline and a personal summary: Your headline can be a more straight forward or fun version of your job title. Your summary is your elevator pitch. If you already have a bio, start there and change it to the 1^st person. Include keywords in both.
4. List your experience over the past 10 years, at least. Describe your major wins or projects, and the value you brought to your team in two or three sentences (updated experiences will get you 8 times more profile views*). This is not a resume with a bullet list, it’s a summary of each role. If this step is overwhelming, start by listing the position titles and add in the details later.
5. Provide work samples: use photos, videos, presentations, blogs, and other media to make your story jump off the page.

*Source: LinkedIn

Once you look good on LinkedIn, take a look at yourself on other social platforms.

• Do you want those channels to be open to the public or private and for personal use only?
• If your Facebook settings are not “friends only” it’s likely that anyone in the world can see your profile and posts. Even if you have it locked down, your profile picture and cover image are still visible to others who search for your name. Be wary of putting anything inappropriate or controversial in those photos.
• The same goes for Instagram and other channels. If they are open to the public then recruiters, colleagues, peers at other companies, and employers can all see that you were out until 2am last night at the bar. That’s not viewed as professional in most workplaces!
• If you participate on multiple channels for professional reasons, make sure your look is consistent and consider using the same profile and cover photos so that you are easily recognized.
• Be careful of comments and content you share on LinkedIn and other channels. If you get into a debate on a public forum it could reflect poorly on your image.

Looking at other people’s profiles is the #1 activity on LinkedIn. Job seekers now behave like consumers, but they trust people more than brands. Job seekers research people currently in roles they are interviewing for and follow leaders at companies they are interested in. When networking, LinkedIn users search for peers at other companies in similar roles to connect with and follow influencers and experts working in their space. People will find you. And on LinkedIn especially, you not only represent yourself, but also your company and your company’s brand, so make sure you represent it well.

“The one thing you can control in today’s war for talent is having a completed LinkedIn profile. Think of your LinkedIn profile as your online business card. It’s the first thing someone will see when they’re researching you about your next potential job, or when you’re recruiting someone to come to work at your company. This is your chance to build your personal brand and be visible to your network. When you have a completed profile you build authenticity and credibility. Brand or be branded.”

– Brian U., Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant

Set a goal!

Work on one section of LinkedIn at a time – sitting down and doing it all at once can be overwhelming. If you schedule 10-20 minutes every day for one week, you’ll have it updated by the weekend!

If you follow through with the tips above, you will look great and be ready for the next step in building your brand on social media– growing your network. We’ll talk about what you can do to build your own community in part two of our series.

For more career tips and advice from Vanguard follow us on LinkedIn and check out our careers blog. If you are interested in this niche of personal marketing and branding check out some great LinkedIn advice from J.T. O’Donnell on the WorkItDaily YouTube channel.

This time of the year isn’t just about resolutions, it’s about starting off on the right foot. One Vanguard team compiled a list of great ways to stay motivated in the work place with actionable tips for your career and life. Here are some of their January traditions.

Make time to plan your goals

Kristin T. – During some down time over the holidays I like to jot down my big goals for the year on a napkin.  My napkin is a top 5-10 list for the year that outlines big personal, family, and work goals. I take a picture of the napkin to save it on my phone and check on the napkin list every so often throughout the year. There is something about using a napkin that makes the goals more sincere and authentic. And because it usually has a story of its own and is part of my visual memory, it sticks.

Fran D. – It’s easy to get caught up in your to-do list without having a clear eye on your goals.  The beginning of the year is a great time to take a minute to re-list your goals, keeping it to a few key ones that touch each aspect of your life (career, marriage, life, parenting, etc.). Then take stock of all of the activities you can do to meet those goals.  Start the to-do list there and see how it goes.

Shelley F. – We all know how quickly meetings with colleagues and business partners take over your schedule.  At the beginning of the year I always block time on my calendar each week for my own development. It’s a great way to focus on achieving some of the goals I have set for 2018 outside of my daily responsibilities.  Even just one hour a week makes a big difference and helps you to hold yourself accountable.

Managing post-holiday commotion

Devon M. – When I come back to the office after the holidays, I have hundreds of emails. As I go through my Inbox, I put any emails that don’t need my immediate attention in a folder I created called, “Deal With Later.”  It helps my inbox to feel a lot more manageable, and allows me to focus only on communications that require my immediate attention. I check my “Deal With Later” folder just once a day, after more important tasks have been addressed.

Laura B. – My desk is messy. OK…it’s very messy. At the beginning of each year I like to get organized by cleaning my desk, starting with a fresh notebook, and making a calendar with all my goals. It’s also helpful to wrap up any lose ends with old projects. With the new year, comes new beginnings and renewed motivation.

Staying healthy

Jen D. – Are you one of the many individuals whose New Year’s Resolution is centered on visiting the gym? Well, you are not alone. Each year, I tell myself that it’s time to get back into a healthy routine. Fortunately for Vanguard crew, our organization takes health and wellness very seriously! One perk I often take advantage of is our on-site fitness centers that help me and my colleagues get and stay fit. This makes achieving my annual resolution easy! No excuses- bring on 2018!

If your resolution is to find a more fulfilling career, explore opportunities with Vanguard.   

To wrap up National Career Development month, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis offers insights into key moments from his time at Vanguard.

One of my favorite parts of National Career Development month has been reading other crew members’ meaningful career experiences. Kristin L. shared the importance of gratitude towards those who helped shaped her successes. I learned how Amy M.’s military background drove her accomplishments in civilian life. A realization about company culture led Dan K.to become a longtime crew member. And Jordan W. expressed how a supportive work environment can lead to significant achievements.

Now, I would like to continue the trend and share the moments that influenced my professional journey:

Knowing when to let go.

During the early part of my career, I was leading a small team of traders in our Fixed Income Group and it was my first time as a manager. Since I was accustomed to more technically driven responsibilities, I knew I had to shift my mindset to a people focus. A great boss gave me some very perceptive advice, “When your traders can do the job 80% as well as you, let them do it.” I realized I had to learn when to give up some control. It was an eye-opening moment.

It can be tough as a leader to let go at times, but I found that this approach has multiple benefits: it frees you up to tackle other more strategic issues that need your attention and it shows your team that you have confidence in their abilities. While it may be faster to do some tasks yourself in the short-run, teaching someone to do it on their own is a better long term strategy for the entire team. True leadership requires the humility to accept handing over the reins.

On successful teams, each member knows they’re essential.

Another memorable moment happened when I began working under Tim Buckley, Vanguard’s Chief Investment Officer at the time. Tim is very forward looking and he taught me to be deliberate about building the right team – it should be composed of talented collaborators who have the ability to run together towards a common goal. Because of Tim’s example, I often stress the importance of developing people, it’s a critical element for long-term investment success. But what do you do when you discover a member of the team isn’t performing at the right level?

Ultimately it comes down to continuously growing as a team and acknowledging when someone needs additional coaching. I have found that being candid is appreciated, even if it is an uncomfortable conversation initially. We should always remember that giving feedback enables someone to understand their strengths and opportunity areas, which are critical to their long term success.

Always consider what needs to happen now to be successful in the future.

As a final thought, I want to share some advice around another big moment – choosing your next role. As you assess your career goals and dreams, ask yourself three questions:

1. What are you passionate about?
2. What are you good at?
3. Which job leverages both of these?

When you find a position that combines your interests and talents, you have found your dream job. But, the key to answering these questions effectively is self-awareness. You may be passionate about music, for example, but unable to sing a single note on key. Identify how much time and energy you want to invest in developing skills before pursuing a role or industry.

A word of thanks.

I am thankful to have had opportunities to serve in multiple roles in areas that I was very passionate about and that aligned well with my skill-set. But it wouldn’t have been the same without the right team, the right leaders, and the right company.

Perhaps that is the biggest lesson of all.

During the month of November, many Americans begin looking forward to Thanksgiving and reflecting on those things that have brought them gratitude. In recognition of the holiday, some practice “thanks-living,” the act of recording at least one thing you are thankful for in your life for 30 days. The intention is to allow us to focus on all the blessings we have in our lives and appreciate the positive.

In addition to a time of thanks, November is also National Career Development month. As we can all probably attest, the term “career development” can have different meanings to different people.  What we can likely agree on is that career development has a considerable impact on how we feel about our jobs, which is significant since we spend the better part of our waking hours at work.

As the new leader of Crew Development at Vanguard, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on both National Career Development Month and the many, many people that have made my own career such a rich and fulfilling one. I have seen time and again the benefits of showing gratitude towards those who had an impact on my career development.   I also believe that my mindset of gratitude has made me a better colleague and leader overall.

With those thoughts in mind I wanted to share my thanks on this November 1^st with:

My parents: Without their unwavering support of my education, most of my career achievements would not have been possible.

Minette B: My first boss out of college, for teaching me the value of candor at the onset of my career.

Anthony C: My Organizational Development “partner in crime” (or colleague) for many years, for his willingness to have an open dialogue with me on so many things; strategy, change management, diversity in the workplace, leadership standards, and much more that have made me a better leader and person.

Jennifer K: For a hand-written note she gave me when I was leaving Kohler Company that I will never forget.  Just thinking of her words still gives me goose bumps & cemented my desire to help people achieve fulfilling careers.

Laura K: My leader and role model at Kohler Company, for being a great example of what it really means to be a senior business leader (that just happens to be in HR).

Doug H: Of Whirlpool Corporation, for his selfless support of my career goals and unwavering belief in my abilities.

Tamara T: For her kindness, patience, and candor as my on-boarding buddy, who has been invaluable as I assimilate to a new role, company, and industry.

Lynda R: For seeing potential in me and being willing to take a chance on an external candidate for such an important role at Vanguard.

Richard L: Who is truly my better half, for his enduring support, love, and encouragement while also helping me make sure I keep my feet on the ground.

While writing this post it struck me how difficult it was to keep my list of thanks to a number where the proverbial Oscars music didn’t start up and I lost my audience… I consider myself fortunate that there are so many people who have had a tremendous impact on me in my career, even beyond this list. I am reminded of a simple quote from Margaret Cousins: “Appreciation can change a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” With this in mind, on this November 1^st I am asking all of you to challenge yourself in two ways:

1. Think through and THANK those who have had a positive impact on your career.
2. Ask yourself what actions you can take to be on someone else’s list next November.

–Kristin L.

When I started out on my own after college, like so many people I furnished my apartment with items passed down from family members—drinking glasses from my grandmother, dishes from my aunt, lamps from my parents, and a well-used sofa from my older brother. It was a great new adventure as I had my own place and I was now a “wise, all knowing adult.” One day some friends visited and laughed at the lamps. I knew the lamps were older, but they were still cool-looking and in good shape. But my friends were actually joking about the plastic wrap that was on the lamp shades. You know what I am talking about—that protective plastic covering that is on lamps in the store when purchased (and that remained on those lamps all those years). I was perplexed and thought, “EVERYONE has the original plastic wrap on their lamps. At least everyone from where I grew up left the plastic on. What’s wrong with these friends for thinking this was odd?” It was eye opening for me that, in fact, not everyone leaves the plastic wrap on lamp shades. Who knew?!?

I look back on this story with humor and great pride. Those covered lamp shades linked to the history of the people where I grew up in central New York State. The area had been settled by European immigrants who came to the United States to establish a better life for themselves and for their children. They worked hard to make it in the U.S. and experienced the Great Depression. Their past financial struggles gave them an appreciation for preserving and protecting their assets. Those lamp shades were a reflection of the culture and the values of my upbringing.

We all have our unique ways of doing things based on who we are and our previous experiences. Sometimes we may feel that our approach is similar to everyone else, and other times we may feel like the outsider, not fully understanding the norms of the group we are in. The opportunity for this variety of feelings is even more likely at work where we have the incredible opportunity to be around colleagues who come from various backgrounds and experiences. It’s the intertwining and interaction of all of us and all of our backgrounds that help create a diverse and inclusive environment.

For me a key element of inclusion is simply having a conversation and getting to know more about others, and being open to understanding and appreciating different approaches. I ask questions and try to get to know others and their story. I may not always fully understand or even agree, but I always walk away with a better appreciation. And, most often, I find I have more in common with other people than I could have imagined. In times I have felt like the outsider, I have always appreciated when someone took the time to welcome me, get know more about me, or seek my opinion. It was through these actions of others that I felt a greater sense of belonging and comradery.

So, the next time you run into someone with “plastic wrap on their lamp shade,” be curious. Strike up a conversation, and seek to know more about them. If you are like me, you will be amazed by what you learn.

-Ken Oyer (The Vanguard Group, Diversity and Inclusion, PA)