Each and every Wednesday, the entire GovLoop team convenes for an hour-long staff meeting where we go over assignments, new projects, projections, and any other issues that we face as a company — much like any other organization does on a regular basis. But the GovLoop team has a bit of a different twist on our weekly staff meetings: we kick off each one with an icebreaker.
You may think that icebreakers are only for groups that don’t yet know each other well. The GovLoop team knows each other pretty darn well — we’re a rather rowdy, chatty group, and we spend a lot of time outside of work together — but we still find these icebreakers invaluable. They set the tone for the meeting, and oftentimes we learn new things about each other that we never would have thought to ask.
Last week, our icebreaker was a particularly inspiring one. Everybody was asked to share, in 10 words or less, the best advice they’ve ever received. Since it was so inspiring and valuable to us as a team, we thought we’d share it with you, too. See below for our words of wisdom — then, in the comments, tell us, in 10 words or less, the best advice you’ve ever received.
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“Don’t take yourself too seriously.” — Tommy Bowen, junior designer
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“Treat everyone exactly the same.” — Catherine Andrews, director of content
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“If you’re leanin’, you’re cleanin’.” — Doug Mashkuri, vice president of business development (The meaning? If you’ve got time to be leaning around, learn something new in your role or company.)
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“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” — Megan Dotson, senior client success consultant & event director
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“Live in a way that conjures fear.” — Andrew Krzmarzick, director of learning and development
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“If you hang around trash, you’ll attract flies.” — Christine Burke, digital marketing manager
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“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, take it.” — Julia Taylor, senior learning consultant
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“If you don’t take the time, the time will take you.” — Rachel Niebeling, Digital Marketing Fellow
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“Work should make you cry on a quarterly basis.” — Amy DeWolf, senior client success consultant (The meaning? You should be invested enough and passionate about your work that it’s okay if it upsets you once in a while.)
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“Fail fast.” — Erik Eitel, business development specialist
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“Plans mean nothing; planning is everything.” — Pat Fiorezna, senior research analyst
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“Be expectant but not expecting.” — Jeff Ribeira, senior interactive designer
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“Go forth with confidence.” — Jake Brennan, design fellow
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“Don’t make big decisions during life lows.” — Hannah Moss, research analyst
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“Be kind, don’t be undermined.” — Emily Jarvis, online and events editor
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“Never complain, never explain.” — Corinne Stubbs, brand ambassador fellow
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“Be nice.” — Eric Pesachowitz, senior sales consultant
Leave your best advice for the GovLoop community in the comments below!