Steven Barrett’s Post

Well done to you all

It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since I started this amazing job back in June. Initially, taking the leap was nerve-wracking, considering the distance from my hometown, family, and friends. Yet, it’s undoubtedly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been fortunate to join a team with exceptional leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence and I’m thankful Tommy Wood and Jarrett Darmstatter took a chance on me. I’ve always enjoyed challenging myself with trying to become comfortable with the uncomfortable or the “Grind” as many as my former college wrestling teammates would refer to it. The knowledge and skills I’ve acquired have surpassed my expectations, from basic operating room protocols to detailed product features. I recall when I was first diving into this role, my main worries revolved around the longest screw in our caddies and figuring out which color coordinated with each size. What excites me most is the continual opportunity for growth and learning. There’s still much ground to cover, from developing existing relationships to expanding my expertise in surgical procedures and product knowledge. Hustle and patience are key in this field, traits I’ve come to value deeply. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to engage in this role daily, striving for personal growth while delivering top-notch services to our customers. I couldn’t imagine embarking on this journey with anyone other than Jarrett Darmstatter, Sione Tupou, and Brendan Keady. Within the community of Smith+Nephew’s culture, there’s a prevailing notion: pressure is a privilege. I’m confident that my team and I not only embrace but embody this pressure, driving us towards excellence. While my career has just begun there are three key takeaways I have found to be some of the most important so far. 1.) The importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive team and network. 2.) Treat others how you would want to be treated…being respectful and considerate goes a long way. 3.) Developing resilience and learning to take constructive criticism in stride are essential for personal and professional growth. It’s all part of the journey towards success in this dynamic industry.

🌟 More reasons to consider Merit America for your career transition to #BreakIntoTech! Hear from Merit alums about their experiences and results! Learn more about our life-changing program here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gCqqeFhg 👈 Give this post a like 👍, drop a comment 💬, and let's get the word out to talented individuals stuck in low-wage jobs who are interested in transitioning to high-paying tech careers! ���💻 P.S. If you or anyone you know decides to apply, I'd love it if you provided my name when the application asks how they heard about Merit America. Together, we're changing lives and shaping futures! 🤝💪

It's not often that we openly discuss our moments of self-doubt, but today, I want to share one of mine. Early in my career (2008), I was honored with an award at work and felt undeserving. This was the most prestigious employee award at Lockheed Martin, and I couldn't help but think that my contributions paled in comparison to those of my team members. They were the ones traveling all over the country, doing the work, while I quietly played my part back home researching our archives. I questioned if I truly deserved the recognition, and honestly, I only understood why I received it later in my career. I learned that we all have unique roles in a team, and each one is integral to success. My perspective shifted when I understood that my work, though different at times, was equally valuable. This experience pushed me to reflect on my contributions, refine my skills, and amplify my impact. Over time, I learned to accept recognition graciously, not as an individual achievement but as a testament to the collective strength of our team. So, the next time you find yourself questioning your worth, remember that you bring something unique to the table. Embrace your role, celebrate your achievements, and acknowledge that every piece of the puzzle matters. #Throwback #Teamwork #SelfDoubt #GrowthMindset

Want to know what career opportunities are available at SMG?🚀 Introducing our Career Journey Series where we'll be sitting down with SMGers to discuss their career journeys and experiences at SMG. We are proud to follow a unique progression and development model at SMG, our approach is performance-driven and allows our people who are showcasing exceptional skills and achievements to be rewarded and recognised. We also understand that career progression and development aren’t always linear - it can go in many different directions 👈👆👉 We encourage SMGers to explore opportunities in different areas, helping them to gain diverse experiences and expand their skill set in unexpected ways. 📈 Whether you're shifting roles to explore a passion, seeking new challenges, or simply eager to diversify your expertise, we encourage lateral moves as a pathway to personal and professional growth. 👋Meet Karis Lonsdale, who started SMG as a Client Executive on the Co-op partnership back in 2017 and is now a Senior Strategy Manager as part of the Strategy team, a change which saw her move into a whole new specialism. We caught up with Karis on her new role and what drove her decision to make the switch… 🔗 Click on the link below for the full blog! #careerjourney #development #progression

I recently made a mistake when celebrating a great month in our company.  We blew away our goal and I wanted to recognize our team. Instead of just congratulating our team for their great accomplishment, I threw in the dreaded "but" at the end of it. "but, next month will most likely be much different." There was no need for me to do this.  I intended to shield them from a possible letdown the following month since we always have a strong January. The "but" was not necessary at that time (and probably not at all). Celebrate your wins.  Recognize the success of your team - the other stuff can wait. A well-informed team already knows of the challenges that may lie ahead and is prepared to handle them. Let celebrating your wins stand on its own.  Do not dilute what your team accomplished. Interestingly, February came and they beat our target for that month as well.....and did it again in March.

Yes James Cheng !! This was an amazing presentation!! My social worker heart was cheering the entire time because you were so on point with your explanations!! Key takeaways: — Soft skills are needed more than ever to be successful in today’s world. Learn to be a leader with empathy, adaptability, high communication skills and a clear vision. - We are all Leaders because we all have influence. How are you using your influence today? - Live life on purpose. When it’s your time to leave this earth, you won’t care how great your NPS is or all the reports you stayed up late to complete. You are going think about the time you got to spend with friends & family, or how you allowed yourself to experience joy. There were so many great points! How are you cultivating your Best Yes today?!!!!

Napoleon Hill's Thought for the Day: Quick promotions are not always the most enduring. Most people who fail after receiving a promotion do so because they fail to rise to the challenges the new position offers. It is perfectly normal to feel a twinge of insecurity when you assume in a position – after all, you've never had this job before – but seldom do promotions come before you are ready for them. Now, it is the fact that the day you are promoted, you are not yet competent in that position. You were promoted into that position because of your potential, not because you were expected to perform flawlessly from the outset. Work to prove that your boss's faith in you was justified. Making becoming as proficient as possible in your new job – in the shortest possible time – you're number one priority.

Every year, Irwin Mitchell hosts their own version of the Oscars, the IM Success Awards. It’s an opportunity for individuals, teams and managers to recognise and be recognised for the many ways they support our clients, our colleagues and our communities. This year there were over 500 nominations, which lead to over 1000 of our people being shouted out across 7 different categories. All the nominations are then somehow whittled down to a final shortlist of five and the winners are announced today during a virtual event - which for obvious reasons is more video testimonies and a chance to say thanks and less red carpets and champagne (it is at 10am to be fair). For the second year in a row, I have somehow made the final shortlist, thanks to the in-house brand refresh we delivered in the summer. This project was only possible because of the work of so many amazing people that I can't speak highly enough of and it’s great to reflect on how lucky I am to work with them day-in, day-out. When you look at some of the nominations, it really does reinforce everything and everyone that is special about Life at Irwin Mitchell. The fact that so many people, who are so busy, take the time to acknowledge others, be kind and say thank you, shouldn't be underestimated when we have so much to deliver. I don’t expect to win for two reasons. 1), I’m up against some truly brilliant colleagues that are much more deserving winners and 2) (lifting up the curtain for you here), one of my designers worked on the video announcements and I forced him to tell me who won 😊. On a serious note, I’m very proud to be recognised alongside Sarah Al-Jourani, Gurpreet Lalli, Sarah Brumpton, Jack Bookey and everyone else in the other categories. But more importantly, it’s great to work somewhere that wants to reward their colleagues and recognise the role they play in their growth, their culture and their success. #lifeatIM #culturechange #recognition

Title: "Empowered by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.: A Journey of Encouragement and Self-Discovery" At two pivotal moments in my life, I was blessed with individuals from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, who encouraged me to reach for greater heights. In 1995, becoming a naval officer seemed like the realization of my dream job. Despite my initial attempts to enter active duty through ROTC, I found myself in the reserves. The opportunity to be an active duty officer excited me, and I felt like I had finally arrived. However, my perspective differed from those around me, especially my friend and fellow officer, Tangela. She saw beyond my current role and encouraged me to pursue a higher calling – either as a doctor or a lawyer. Acting on her advice, I resigned my commission and embarked on a journey that led me to law school. Graduating in 2001, I spent six years as a law firm associate and then ran my own practice for a decade. A chance to be appointed as a judge arose in 2017, and once again, I believed I had reached my destination. However, my friend Veronica posed a crucial question: "Now that you're a judge, what are you gonna do next?" This unexpected inquiry made me realize that my potential extended beyond the bench. Inspired by Veronica's insight, I began exploring opportunities as a content creator and motivational speaker. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have people in their lives who see their full potential. If you're blessed with individuals who recognize your capabilities beyond your own perception, cherish them and embrace their insights. I was fortunate to have two women from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who envisioned more for me than I thought possible. Happy Founders day (a day early) to the lovely ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. #AlphaKappaAlpha #EmpowermentJourney #LeadershipInspiration #SelfDiscovery #MotivationalSpeaker #CareerEvolution #LifeTransformations #AlphaKappaAlphaInfluence #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalEmpowerment