Baem Leadership

"When you lose, don't lose the lesson." - Dalai Lama This is just one of many quotes on Dawn Shaw's wall of inspiration. This wall isn't just decorative for Dawn—it reflects her journey as a First-Generation Professional (FGP). From a middle-class upbringing to a leadership role at Oracle, Dawn's path has been paved with persistence, continuous learning, and inspiration. Her story echoes the journey of many FGPs who navigate the corporate world without generational guidance. Dawn's experiences highlight the unique value FGPs bring to the workplace: resilience, intrinsic motivation, and a fresh perspective. You can learn more about Dawn's FGP journey and insights in our latest FGP profile (link in comments). https://lnkd.in/ebW9DNgN #firstgenerationprofessionals #career #persistence #growth #profile

"Everything's hard before it's easy." Dawn Shaw's journey as a First-Generation Professional (FGP) is a testament to persistence and intrinsic motivation. From her small-town roots in Colorado to a successful career at Oracle, Dawn has navigated unfamiliar professional landscapes without a road map. You can learn more about Dawn's remarkable journey in our latest FGP profile (link in comments). https://lnkd.in/ebW9DNgN #firstgenerationprofessionals #career #persistence #growth #profile

Innovation requires purposefully thinking outside the box. When your motto is "put your head down and do the work," as it is for many First-Generation Professionals (FGPs), you end up missing out on opportunities to innovate. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work, but innovation is key to standing out and moving up in your career. The question is: How do you make time for it? ➖ Subtract before you add: For every new project or task, try to remove an old one. Identify and eliminate unnecessary processes that eat up your time. Speak up about "process debt" that may be holding you back. 🏆 Prioritize innovation: Make innovation and creativity an explicit goal. Create purposeful opportunities for you to brainstorm or think outside the box. When this is a priority, you'll find ways to incorporate it into your daily work. 👥 Collaborate across teams: Connect with people outside your immediate circle for new ideas and insights. When you increase the diversity of thought around you, innovation can happen more organically. If you're curious to learn more about increasing your creativity and rate of innovation, check out the article in the comments below. https://lnkd.in/dY_zJWpm #firstgenerationprofessionals #innovation #work #career #growth #development

As the saying goes, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." So, when you find yourself constantly dealing with performance issues (the squeaky wheel, in this case), and you apply all of your attention (the grease) to those individuals, you begin to lose sight of those not making a whole lot of noise: your high performers. These are folks who simply put their heads down and work incredibly hard to achieve results. Many of them are First-Generation Professionals (FGPs) who tend to avoid making noise or drawing attention to themselves. It's common for these top performers to feel overlooked or taken for granted. So, what can you do for high performers so they feel engaged and motivated? 🏆 Recognition: This is often low-hanging fruit, but when done well, it can be meaningful. Go beyond just saying "great work" or giving someone a "shoutout" during a meeting. Give specific, meaningful praise for their unique contributions. 🚀 Growth: High performers need to feel challenged. When things start to feel comfortable, they get restless or start to think they've reached the end of their growth at their current role or organization. Look to provide growth opportunities that stretch their abilities and challenge them. 🛣️ Clear career path: High performers want to know that their efforts will be rewarded. Aim to have regular conversations about their future and goals. This will help motivate them and keep them focused. 🔑 Autonomy: When someone has proven to you that they can do great work, one of the greatest things you can reward them with is the trust to make independent decisions and solve problems their way. 🌱 Purpose: It's not always about a higher salary or loftier job title. High performers also need alignment between their work and personal values. Look for opportunities to strengthen that alignment. High performers are vital to your organization. Want to learn more about retaining top talent? Check out the article in the comments section. https://lnkd.in/eJPDR8np #firstgenerationprofessionals #performance #career #growth

Feeling a sense of connection at work is critical. As First-Generation Professionals (FGPs), we often lack a road map for creating connections in the workplace, even if those connections are just with our colleagues. But what if we told you that connection at work isn't just about bonding with your fellow coworkers? Recent research reveals that workplace connection actually has four dimensions: 👥 Colleague connection: This represents the relationships you build with your peers. Peer-to-peer connections are critical to finding mentors and allies who understand your unique journey. 🫱🏾🫲🏽 Leader connection: This represents the rapport you have with your manager and leadership at your organization. You should be able to communicate openly about your goals and be able to seek guidance on career growth with your manager. 🏢 Employer connection: This is the connection and alignment you feel between your values and your company's mission. This connection is critical to your ability to contribute meaningfully to organizational goals. 💼 Role connection: Finally, this is the connection and clarity you feel to your own role's responsibilities. This connection allows you to find ways to engage deeply with your work. Want to learn more about these four types of workplace connections? Check out the article linked in the comments section. #firstgenerationprofessionals #connection #career #mission #mentorship https://lnkd.in/ecAFXdde

"How did I get here?" It's not uncommon for professionals who are close to ten years into their careers to stop, look around, and ask that question. Our careers are shaped by all sorts of large and small decisions—the choice of what to study in college, what city to move to, what job to accept, what projects you're assigned to, or even who you meet at a networking event. First-Generation Professionals (FGPs) often find themselves making safer choices than their continuing-generation counterparts, and after several years of making those relatively safer choices, it's no wonder that many end up somewhere that doesn't completely satisfy them professionally. So, if you find yourself asking how you ended up here, try this three-step process: 🧘♀️ Pause and reflect: Set aside fifteen minutes to ask yourself how you're really feeling about your work. Are you satisfied? Stressed? Energized? How does it feel to wake up every morning to tackle the problems you're dealing with at work? 🔍 Identify your values: What truly matters to you in your career? Has this changed recently? What impact are you hoping to make at work? How closely does that align with your work today? 🔄 Make adjustments: Based on your reflection, what can you add, subtract, or keep the same in your work life? What changes can you make in order to align your work and your values more closely? You can read more about doing a career checkup in the article linked in the comments section. https://lnkd.in/dXsHT3vE #firstgenerationprofessionals #career #growth

It's easy to feel like your voice is lost in all the workplace noise. Making your presence felt at work can be challenging for anyone, but it's particularly difficult for First-Generation Professionals (FGPs), who often struggle to figure out how to show up professionally. But here's the secret: being heard isn't about volume—it's about strategy. Here are a few ways to ensure that your ideas cut through the clutter: 🗣️ Choose your words wisely: Small tweaks to your word choices can make a big difference. For example, using "I" statements to own your perspective, or choosing to use "and" instead of "but" to foster collaboration. 🔄 Repeat key points in different formats: Don't be afraid to reiterate important messages—repetition helps ideas stick. Repetition works even better if you use different formats, like verbal and written. People retain information better when they can read and hear your ideas simultaneously. 🤝 Build relationships: There's no shortcut to building relationships. Invest time in getting to know your colleagues and developing strong relationships. This will increase the likelihood of being heard. Ready to amplify your voice at work? Dive deeper with the HBR podcast linked in the comments. https://lnkd.in/evtzvBwh #firstgenerationprofessionals #communication #skills

Ever wondered why you keep making it to interviews but not landing the job? For First-Generation Professionals (FGPs), the interview process can feel like navigating an obstacle course full of hidden trapdoors. The smallest red flags can send the conversation off course and your candidacy into the reject pile. So, what are some common red flags that might hold you back in interviews? 🤥 Dishonesty: Even minor exaggerations can damage trust. Stay authentic, and be prepared to back up every claim on your resume. 🤬 Rudeness: Your behavior speaks volumes. Arrive on time, maintain positive body language, and avoid getting heated, especially when asked tough questions. 🤔 Lack of preparation: Research the company, role, and interviewer thoroughly. You should come prepared with examples that showcase the skills and experiences you can bring to that specific role. 🙄 Negativity about past employers: Focus on what you learned from challenges rather than criticizing others. Want to read more about these red flags? Check out the article in the comments section. https://lnkd.in/eaC9XgnT #firstgenerationprofessionals #interview #hiring #jobsearch

How do you balance loyalty with professional growth? This is a tricky and potentially controversial question, especially for First-Generation Professionals (FGPs) who tend to be more loyal to their employers than their continuing-generation counterparts. Sometimes, the best career move you can make involves leaving your current employer to join a competitor. This can feel extremely uncomfortable. So, how can you navigate this situation ethically and professionally? Here are some tips to consider: 🔎 Evaluate your situation: Consider the legal and ethical implications of the move. Review any noncompete or confidentiality agreements you've signed. Understand what you can and can't do. Do you possess any confidential information that may complicate this career move? 🗣️ Be transparent: Have an open conversation with your potential new employer about handling sensitive information. 🛡️ Protect yourself and your reputation: Consider how this move might affect your professional relationships and long-term career prospects. Even after you've left, continue to honor confidentiality agreements and avoid disparaging your former employer. If you find yourself in this position or are curious to learn more, check out the link below. https://lnkd.in/eEzQ8_r4 #firstgenerationprofessionals #career #hiring #growth

Election Day in America is tomorrow. Do you have a plan to vote? Casting a vote for who you believe should be bestowed the great honor and responsibility of leading the country is one of the simplest and most profound ways to have your voice heard. It's a right for which millions have fought and died. For many First-Generation Professionals (FGPs) who also happen to be immigrants or children of immigrants, it's a right that needed to be earned. Let's not waste it. If you're unsure of where to go to cast your ballot, visit https://lnkd.in/g5_NeD5 #vote #election