Michael Skapinker, a former boss at the Financial Times and a mentor to Isabel Berwick, shares invaluable career insights from their time together. They discuss the evolution of Isabel's career, highlighting personal struggles and the importance of adaptability in workplace dynamics. The conversation dives into the impact of diversity in editorial roles and busts myths around prestige in career success. Both reflect on overcoming imposter syndrome and emphasize that true professional growth comes from collaboration and learning from others.
The journey of personal development highlights the importance of self-awareness and compassion towards colleagues facing similar professional insecurities.
Mentorship and constructive feedback are crucial for career growth, emphasizing the need for a supportive environment that values differing opinions.
Deep dives
Reflections on Personal Growth
The speaker reflects on their early career insecurities and growth by revisiting their past experiences through old diaries. They express embarrassment over feeling uncomfortable and unconfident in a professional environment, noting their tendency to retreat into a shell rather than actively engage. Conversations with their former mentor highlight the journey of personal development and increased self-awareness gained over the years. This transformation emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's shortcomings in the workplace and encourages a more compassionate perspective toward colleagues who may be struggling.
The Role of Mentorship and Feedback
Interactions with a former manager illustrate the value of mentorship and constructive feedback in career development. The speaker recounts a specific disagreement over an article, which served as a pivotal moment of learning about the balance between managing authority and listening to team input. The former manager recalls respect for the speaker's assertiveness during disagreements, acknowledging the necessity of challenge in the editing process. This exchange underscores how essential it is to cultivate a supportive environment where differing opinions can contribute to better outcomes.
Lessons Learned from Colleagues
Insights from various colleagues reveal valuable lessons learned early in their careers, particularly about the significance of hard work and enjoying one's job. Acknowledging the role of experience and perseverance, one colleague highlights that talent must be accompanied by dedication to truly excel in any field. Additionally, the discussion touches on the pressure of imposter syndrome and the misconception that prestigious academic backgrounds guarantee success, emphasizing that what ultimately matters is performance and contribution. These shared reflections inspire a greater appreciation for the diverse paths and experiences of individuals in the workplace.
Isabel Berwick writes about how managers and workers can get better at their jobs. But that doesn’t mean she’s always been a perfect employee… In this special episode, Isabel speaks to her former boss (and good friend) Michael Skapinker about how she’s changed over the course of her career, her professional shortcomings, and some of the run-ins the two of them have shared. Later, Isabel and Michael discuss nuggets of career wisdom from FT colleagues including Stephen Bush, Claer Barrett and Jemima Kelly: how important is talent to a successful career? Does anyone care where you went to university? And what if the biggest career decision you’ll ever make is really to do with who you marry…?
Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.