In the last week, I’ve spoken with two friends who I met early in my professional career.  The first is a woman I met at a happy hour, gave her my resume, and told her I was trying to get a position at the company she worked for.  The second is the woman who received my resume and ultimately hired me. When I started at the company, one was my management peer, the other was my Senior Director.  Through the years, we have all left the company and pursued other opportunities.  But the calls, catching up as well as reminiscing about our time working together, were a reminder of the importance of the friends, A Team, who you have in your circle.

I asked someone I had just met to do me a professional courtesy and share my resume.  She said she would and, a woman of her word, she did.  When I interviewed for the job, I highlighted my capabilities and what I would bring to the role, and I delivered.  My Senior Director shared with me what working for her would be like and she delivered.  She put me in rooms I likely wouldn’t have gotten into on my own and she guided me, over 5+ years of working on her team, from professional immaturity to professional maturity.  Each of us was true to our word, did what we said we would do.  We supported each other while navigating the halls and boardrooms of our Fortune 500 company.  I learned from my peer who provided “boots on the ground” knowledge and from my Senior Director who provided “been there, done that, let me help you develop a roadmap” knowledge. I’m grateful for them both and know that it’s important to be discerning about the people with whom you build trusted relationships.  I hope that I’ve been able to do the same for some others.

One of the ten cancer lessons that helped me redefine my new normal and move forward on Destiny’s Road is assembling my A Team.  My A Team is comprised of my medical team and my small but mighty group of family, friends and colleagues who have provided unconditional support and guidance on this road. My medical team has provided great care and knowledge.  More than just words of encouragement, my small but mighty group of family, friends and colleagues have “rolled up their sleeves” and jumped in whenever or wherever I need some extra hands and energy.  Your inner circle can uplift and propel you when the right folks are there.  Cancer won’t stop me. I’m claiming my destiny!”