Pathfinder
A person who goes ahead and discovers or shows others a path or way
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Jessica MarventanoBusiness Etiquette
“One rarely succeeds alone in business – we need strong relationships with other people. At the foundation of those good relationships are social skills.” This month, Pathfinder Jessica Marventano of iHeartMedia shared valuable insight into the importance of business etiquette.
When we apply for a job, we’re competing with people who are usually just as smart and just as bright as we are. Your social skills can help set you apart – and above – other people who are equally as qualified as you. Learning business etiquette can help you develop a “quiet confidence that will transcend all of your business interactions.” “The common themes in my career have been a really solid personal brand, communication skills, and relationship building,” said Jessica. “Each of these things has developed and shaped every aspect of my career.” A personal brand can be defined as what others say about us when we’re not in the room. We all create one – with our words, our behavior, our actions – whether we intentionally work on it or not. So, for a career enhancing step, it’s absolutely essential for you to create a brand that you want. Jessica suggests that “doing so will make your business decisions easier, because your personal brand will be the lens through which you make your choices.” Will that action reinforce and support my brand? Or will it contrast with it? Communication is also vital to business etiquette. Jessica shared that 55% of the first impression that we make is based on body language, while 7% is based on the content of your words, and 38% is based on how you say it: your tone, your pronunciation, your grammar. Finally, relationship building, or networking, can shape your career. Good networking prevents meaningful relationships from going stale. Jessica suggests the simple practice of scheduling time during your work week to network. Simple acts such as congratulating them on their work, passing along an article of interest, or sending an email to let them know you’re thinking of them sends the message that you care. Alex EhrlichLeadership
When meeting with ThanksUSA scholars, Alex shared a few of the lessons on leadership he acquired during his 40-year career on Wall Street. If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that thinking out of the box is essential to growth. “Leadership isn’t all about work, competition and money. I’ve learned that the basic elements for success are integrity, empathy, diversity, ownership and creativity.”
“I started using Manslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,” he said, “and thinking of the pyramid to describe the behaviors that make people successful with the most basic, important behaviors at the bottom of the pyramid and then build up to the top.” ThanksUSA’s scholar participants learned how to adapt these principles into their everyday lives, building habits that will make them better students and will help them find fulfilling careers.
“When I’m looking for people to be senior leaders, I ask, ‘Are they happy?’ Happiness is a leadership trait," Alex shared. "When you’re an unhappy person, the message that you’re sending to people under you, subtly, is that you don’t care about their happiness either…you’re not thinking that happiness is how we measure success.” |
Elizabeth FrazeeEntrepreneurship
“I want to take something I enjoy doing and make it a living.”
“I want to be my own boss.” “I want to use my passion and creativity to build a business.” That’s the spirit of entrepreneurship, the topic of this month’s Pathways for Patriots Pathfinder session. Shepherded by an incomparable entrepreneur, Elizabeth Frazee, the Founder and CEO of Twin Logic Strategies, a top lobbying and strategy firm located in Washington DC, ThanksUSA scholars gathered to learn more about this venture. Entrepreneurship is a fantastic alternative to traditional employment for military families whose service requires frequent relocations, service member separations, child-care demands and limited networks. Elizabeth shared that there are specific steps that potential entrepreneurs should follow for success. “First, use your creativity to come up with a really fantastic name for your business.” Elizabeth suggests that having a name for your venture sets the stage for every other aspect including location, product, and marketing. The second step, Elizabeth recommends writing a business plan. “There’s no silver bullet when it comes to your business plan. Really it’s just a series of steps that you’re going to take to achieve your goals.” Third, she says it’s time to apply to be a Limited Liability Company (LLC) and open a bank account. “For women, it’s especially important to understand the government incentives you’re entitled to. This can benefit you as you fundraise and market your business.” The final step Elizabeth recommends is to develop a marketing plan. This can look different depending on your product. Social media is a free, far-reaching tool that can be a wonderful marketing resource. “Entrepreneurship is a challenging, fulfilling journey,” says Elizabeth. Todd CorilloCommunication
Whether you are thinking of pursuing a career in journalism, or you just want to sharpen your communication skills, this month’s session is for you. Our guest was journalist Todd Corillo, a news anchor and military partner from Virginia Beach. Todd shared the knowledge and expertise earned in his career which all started from his love for writing, his skills in listening, and his curiosity.
“I didn’t have a formal education [in journalism], but I have relied on ‘on the job’ training as well as having a background of being curious.” As military families, we often find ourselves in communities, cultures, and countries that are foreign to us. Curiosity, Todd suggests, is a fantastic way to learn from, and adjust and contribute to our new surroundings. Todd attributes much of his success to his time spent as an intern for several organizations. In fact, his first internship was at WTKR – the CBS affiliate where he now anchors. “Any internship you get is good experience. Apply to as many as you can. Look for opportunities in those internships to maximize your experience.” He also recommends volunteering for positions or opportunities that may be less desirable – such as night shifts. Doing so will often present unique opportunities to stand out from the crowd and to learn valuable skills. When volunteering as the early morning crew during his first internship, Todd worked hands-on in both behind and on-screen settings, making him better prepared for his role as lead anchor. “Once you get your foot in the door, the most important thing is to take advantage of the opportunity. What you put into is what you’re going to get out of it.” Communication, Todd suggests, is a vital key to success. “Communication in its basest form is listening to people and understanding what they are telling you. I get to ask a lot of questions in my line of work…but equally important to that, is listening fully. The old saying is, ‘You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in that proportion’.” |
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Providing our community with the resources and support they need to be successful is the heart of ThanksUSA’s Pathways for Patriots program. Our Pathfinders are available to guide military families as they build their networks and develop their careers.
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