An Examination of Significance

2019 isn't a milestone year for me, but it is significant. It marks the 19th year of my professional career, my marriage, and my time as a vehicle and homeowner (a lot of things started for me in 2000). But that's not why I'm here with something to say today.

Today is my second Loftiversary. I'm beginning my third year at SalesLoft, in less than three weeks I'll be in the midst of my third Rainmaker, and I'm happy. I started to think about why, and I thought I'd share a few of the main reasons.

I love the SalesLoft culture, it is a must-have for me - it wasn't an accidental find.

Every. Single. Job. I had prior to SalesLoft had an incredible culture and value set. As a matter of fact, I did my own 'culture' interview at my last job, connecting with a potential colleague through my LinkedIn network before saying yes to the offer I was extended. Coming to SalesLoft two years ago, I did the same research because I needed a high quality culture. I already knew what good looked like.

Having said that, SalesLoft has the best defined, most focused culture and value set I've ever experience. I will admit that I was lucky to land in a place where organizational health was and continues to be a significant focus for the leadership team. I can't wait to see what Kyle Porter and Rob Forman will do with this magic as we scale.

I'm surrounded by smart, dedicated people - I never want to be the smartest in the room.

In the 9 years prior to SalesLoft, I was a product manager in the middle of a room of those who could code. The engineers' ability to take whiteboard scribbles and descriptions where I used the word 'thingey' more than I like to admit made me begin to realize and respect the fact that I didn't have to be the smartest person in the room. In fact, not being the smartest person in the room could be a thing of high value and intense beauty. I worked hard to be that person - the one adding value no matter where I was in IQ.

At SalesLoft, I continue to thrive as that person - often not the smartest one in the room. I'm in marketing again after a 9 year break and things have changed in that time with the introduction alien internet-based concepts like 'demand generation' and 'digital marketing' and 'LinkedIn ads'. Oh, and product marketing too. That wasn't a thing back when I first did marketing, but now it's my full time job! As I re-ramp in marketing, ramp at SalesLoft, and learn about sales and selling, I enjoy watching the brilliance of my colleagues shine. All the while seeking out ways to add value that is uniquely mine to add.

I can do it - whatever it is, I can do it and do it well.

This is actually the most important point. I've always had managers that enable me, but I always asked them to protect me and to guide me as I did whatever the daunting thing ahead of me was. And they did.

At SalesLoft, I have true, deep responsibility. If something needs doing, I do it. Period. If something works, I am celebrated and challenged to do more. If something stalls or doesn't work, I am supported in every way imaginable. It is the coziest kind of growth-oriented discomfort I've ever experienced, and it could be the cornerstone of this phase in my career.

All in all, after two years at SalesLoft I feel like I'm part of an organization that is on the right trajectory, and that is making a difference. I'm making a difference here, all while experiencing the most intense professional and personal growth of my entire career. And I'm happy.

That's pretty significant.