In The August 2022 Issue:
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Thank you to our Newsletter sponsor: |
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I cannot believe it’s August! We’ve got a few more glorious weeks of summer to enjoy. Work life balance is definitely top of my mind these days.
One of the most important ways I have learned to bring balance into my day is the practice of asking for help. I am really terrible at asking for help. It goes against years (decades?) of being hyper-productive and self-reliant. I have always prided myself on being someone you can come to when you NEED help. I’m not someone who ASKS for help. Over time, I have come to understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness or failure. It can be quite rewarding.
When we ask for help, we recognize and communicate our limitations, thereby giving permission for others to seek help and support when needed. Not only does sharing our vulnerability make us relatable, a culture of helping has been found to increase employee retention, customer satisfaction, and profits.
When we ask for help, we share information, communicate our trust in someone else’s skillset, and show them they are valued. This is a great way to invest in our team or show a friend how much they mean to us.
When we ask for help, we may be enriched with new ideas and fresh perspectives. Whether we reach out to an experienced mentor, a direct report, or a loved one, different people will go about solving problems in different ways. We never have all the answers and there is always room to grow and learn.
When we ask for help, we make an investment in ourselves and in our future. There are a finite number of tasks we can take on and hours in the day we can be productive. By taking a step back and prioritizing ourselves, we are better positioned to face future challenges and opportunities with renewed energy.
Asking for help can be difficult. It may seem easier or more efficient to do things on our own. Sometimes it is ego or fear that holds us back. But trusting others to help can make us stronger, more effective, and better balanced to enjoy all that life (and the rest of summer) has to offer.
-Lynn Whitcher
Co-Executive Director of Education |
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Words at Work: Put an end to over-apologizing written by Kristen Beckman |
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Sorry to interrupt what you were doing, but do you have a few moments to read this article? Saying “I’m sorry” is so ubiquitous in our day-to-day vocabulary that it has almost become an unconscious filler phrase or standard sentence starter. Does your outgoing phone message start with, “I’m sorry I missed your call?” How many times have you apologized for ‘bothering’ a co-worker or client when you have a question? Do you say you are sorry if you have to turn down an invitation to a work-related event? Certainly, apologizing is sometimes necessary, but experts advise people to pay attention to what they are apologizing for, especially at work. And especially women, who tend to offer up more apologies than their male counterparts. Interestingly, when scientists studied why women say sorry more than men, they found it is because women and men have different perspectives on what type of behavior warrants an apology, with women finding themselves guilty of more offenses and viewing those offenses as more severe than men typically do. For many of us, apologizing often just feels like the polite thing to do when things don’t go exactly to plan, and it can become a handy catchphrase to diffuse a potentially uncomfortable situation and keep the peace. However experts suggest saying sorry can have unintended consequences, such as making the apologizer appear weak or blameworthy, and it can devalue their contributions. Continue reading the full article on the WWLF website |
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WWLF Spotlight: Heidi Nelson Business Development Manager, Harmoni Towers | LWA Vice President
WWLF City/Regional Rep for New Orleans and Jackson |
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How long have you been a City/Regional Rep for WWLF and what is your territory/region?
I was appointed in January 2014. New Orleans is my area! They also added Jackson since the two are so closely related.
Why did you join WWLF?
I believe WWLF is an amazing organization that really helps women in the industry connect and learn from one another. One thing I really enjoy is that we are able to learn from all facets of the industry and build each other up. Women helping, mentoring and uplifting women is so important! I also appreciate and commend our male members and supporters!
How has being a part of WWLF impacted you personally or professionally?
I have gotten to meet some wonderful women and have been able to build relationships with them whereas I might not have been able to otherwise. I’ll reiterate again that it’s been such a pleasure learning from all of them as well.
Where did you get your start in the industry? What is your current role?
Believe it or not, I started as a receptionist at Faulk & Foster in 2004! I enjoyed learning and helping so much that I quickly moved up the ranks because I was so eager to do more and more. I attribute a lot of my success to the training and excellent managers I was able to sit under there, as well as Integrisite and Castille Consolidated! I am now a Business Development Manager at Harmoni Towers. I absolutely love our company and my team!
Read the full interview on the WWLF website
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Pivoting with Purpose Written by Juliette Hamer |
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When I started in telecom in 1993, I had just moved to Texas from Los Angeles and was working for a temp agency. They placed me at a two-way radio company called A&B Electronics as a file clerk. I had no idea what two-way was, let alone what they even did! I had plans to be an architect: I would design, and my dad would build. Little did I know my path was about to change. Time went on and A&B Electronics grew to be Pittencrieff Communications and a few years later was acquired by a little company we all know: Nextel Communications. I was so eager to learn and absorb as much as I could from the people that took the time to teach me. I wanted to be in every department so I could understand how each impacted one another. And that I did, I would soon move from filing to air-time billing, to a position as an executive assistant to the Director of Operations as well as Human Resources in my early years. Several years later, I started working for Titan Towers, and this was truly my introduction to legal and the tower side of vertical real estate. I had the most incredible leaders at Titan who mentored me, many of whom are still in the industry. While I was working at Titan Towers, I found my groove and knew I was headed in the right direction. I was hooked on wireless. After a brief stint on the carrier side working for T-Mobile, I soon went back to the tower side with Mountain Union Telecom, T-Mobile Towers, and Crown Castle. My direction shifted and the collective experience from my past gave me the confidence to continue to pursue advancement. Currently, I work at Tillman Infrastructure as their Director of Sales. This is a position I created in tandem with my boss, as a solution to business needs and the next step in my career advancement. Read the full article on the WWLF website.
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NETWORKING EVENT AT MWC IN LAS VEGAS! |
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The Women's Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF) will be hosting our annual networking event at MWC in Las Vegas on
Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 from 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub
3595 South Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89108
(REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21st)
For more information on WWLF, please visit: www.wwlf.org.
Not a Member? Join today and attend this event for free!
*Membership must be in good standing as of the date of the event.
For questions about this event, contact: Stella Bezabeh or Laura Lora at events@wwlf.org.
Business Casual Attire is required and must be 21 and over to enter. |
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Monthly Networking Events!
WWLF Members Only |
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Please join WWLF for our Monthly Networking Event: Motivation and Mugs
The 1st Monday of every month.
Although times are getting somewhat back to normal, we are still not quite there yet.
So, let's come together and connect while enjoying our morning ritual of coffee, tea, lemon water or whatever your choice of drink!
During this Monday Motivation and Mugs, each attendee will have one minute to introduce themselves and talk about what they are looking for/needing during these times: job opportunities, connections, friendly support, etc..
September 12, 2022
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT)
Zoom link to be sent before the event
Registration closes the Friday before the event. |
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Thank you to our exclusive newsletter sponsor |
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Connect with WWLF
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WWLF is a proud affiliate of WIA
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Women's Wireless Leadership Forum C/O WIA
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 210 Arlington, VA 22201
© 2022 Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum All Rights Reserved
WWLF is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices are welcome in all aspects of our organization. WWLF values the knowledge and perspectives that our members bring to our organization from their diverse backgrounds. While all members are welcome to participate in both regional and national events, WWLF remains committed to the design and delivery of content to support the development of women in the wireless communications industry. |
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