Metro Edge - Executive Insight

For some reason lately I have been thinking a lot about what I want in my future (for the purposes of this blog I will focus on my career aspirations). I can't figure out if it is because my whole life is about to change or if it is just because I am just ready for something new. Whatever the case may be I am trying to figure it out by networking, researching and asking as many questions as I can. Last week I attended a MetroEdge (a group for young professionals under 40) event called Executive Insight. There were eleven executives who talked to us in a panel format about who they are, what they do and how they got to where they are today. We (a small group) then were able to talk to them one on one asking them any questions we could think of. 

The Executives:  

1. Christi Black – Executive Vice President, Edelman

2. Michelle Bouchard – President, HealthCorps

3. Roger Dreyer – Partner, Dreyer Babich Buccola Wood Campora, LLP

4. Gordon Fowler – President, 3fold Communications

5. Yvonne Gleen – Owner, Trofholz Technologies, Inc.

6. Ginger Elizabeth Hahn – Owner, Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates

7. Vincent Johnson – COO, UC Davis Medical Center

8. Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann – Associate Vice Provost – Drexel University

9. Mike O’Brien – President, Sacramento Magazine Corp.

10. Supervisor Susan Peters – Sacramento County, District 3

11. Fred Teichert – Executive Director, Teichert Foundation

I got a lot out of this event...here are some of the quotes I thought were very interesting and insightful.  

“There is no set directory in your life” – 1

“Think hard about positioning” – 8 

“You either have to lead, follow or get out of the way” – 11

“Fail forward” – 9

“You shouldn’t be afraid of failure” – 3

“Who you are around makes a difference on who you become” – 3

“Don’t sell yourself short” – 8

“Always honor every person in the room” – 8

“Be a business partner with balance” – 5

“Don’t hide your weaknesses, that’s why you hire people” – 5

“Have a reason for the things that you do” – 7

“Assess regularly and adjust” – 9

"Experience adventure" - 7

"Embrace anxiety" - 3

“You can’t have it all at once but you can have it all” -  5

Above are just some of the quotes I took away from the night. I am still working on figuring out my next step but hopefully everyday I just move one spot closer to knowing.