Republished by Harvard Business Review

I never took college graduation photos. 

Truthfully, my family and I didn’t even know that was a thing, and I certainly didn’t realize it was until I saw everyone else with theirs. By the time we realized, we were just happy that I had made it through (and had my very first job secured, might I add – shoutout to ArchVision). 

Being one of the first in my family to graduate from college, to where I am today, is such a… feeling. The older I get, the more I’m smacked with a new understanding of the depth of all of the sacrifices that it took to get here, and knowing that, I’m incredibly proud of myself, my loved ones, and my community.

At the beginning of the year, I couldn’t stomach being visible or 'striving'. With all the changes in the world, I just needed a quiet moment to myself, but I was haunted by the cognitive dissonance of how important this moment was. So, I mustered up enough ‘extroversion coins’ to cash in at an at-home, self-directed photoshoot of my article "Lessons from a first-generation manager" being republished into Chapter 3 of the Harvard Business Review’s People, Purpose, and Process book, with the promise to myself that I’d do more when I was up to it.

As I re-emerge, I’m brought back to the core message of my article, which discusses how first-generation managers can overcome our unique challenges. Many of us are the first in our families to graduate from college and to lead teams. And now that means leading through uncertainty on top of other barriers like the ‘concrete wall’.

Though the rules we once followed to get here have been switched again, we know that this is nothing new, unfortunately. Going through the window when the door closes [or bypassing the house altogether] is something that we're quite primed for, actually.

We are known for making a way out of no way.

But before pivoting in this new era and graduating into a new phase, I encourage new leaders to take a moment to re-evaluate their core, their why, and their values. During my retreat at the beginning of the year, I used the time to write mine down. Though they might change over time, at least I have a springboard to bounce off of when I'm unsure.

And for me, this photoshoot gave me a reason to get back in the swing of things. It allowed me to take stock of where I am, truly honor a new accomplishment, and mark a line in the sand -- I'm committed to continuing for those who invested in me to get here, even though it feels a little harder right now. 

Even better, though, I feel rooted in my own why outside of anyone or situation.