Alexa Graham

I really attribute my success to my mentors, who have always uplifted me and encouraged me to take risks. A big part of that has been listening to the people I trust, hearing their guidance, and not letting that inner voice of doubt stop me from taking a risk. I've learned to trust myself, but I've also learned to trust what other people see in me. That has helped me keep building my confidence, trying new things, and continuing to learn.

I think having a strong support system is one of the best pieces of advice I could give someone in their career. Having people in your corner who are there to cheer you on is so important. You're going to need those voices in the moments of self-doubt.

One of the biggest hurdles I've had to overcome is realizing that I can't do everything by myself. I used to try to do everything on my own, and it wasn't effective, it wasn't efficient, and it's incredibly draining. Having people you can rely on, who genuinely have your best interests at heart, can help prevent burnout, keep you motivated, and help you stay on the path and direction you want to take in your career. And, of course, having confidence in yourself and trusting yourself in those decisions is huge too.

The best piece of advice I've ever received came from a flight attendant from Southwest Airlines over 12 years ago. At the end of the flight, she said farewell by saying, "Be kind on purpose." I still think about that on a regular basis today. It's very simple, but it's impactful and inspiring.

One of the best pieces of advice I've received is that your network is one of your greatest assets. Early in my career, I tried to do everything on my own. While that may seem admirable, it's not sustainable. It's not the most effective way to grow, and honestly, it's terribly draining.

Surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed. Having a strong support system helps you stay motivated, avoid burnout, and navigate challenges with confidence. Whether it's mentors, colleagues, friends, or family, having people in your corner who will encourage you, challenge you, and celebrate your wins makes all the difference. Those voices become especially important during moments of doubt.

Just as important as having a strong network is trusting yourself. There will be times when opportunities feel intimidating or when you're unsure if you're ready for the next step. In those moments, confidence matters.

Believe in your abilities, trust the experience you've gained, and don't be afraid to take chances on yourself. Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. The combination of self-confidence and a supportive community creates a powerful foundation for both personal and professional success.

One of the biggest challenges in my industry right now is resource management, especially in technology. Teams are being asked to do more with less, and AI has become a major topic of conversation. There's a lot of discussion about how AI can improve operations, increase efficiency, and help manage costs. While I absolutely see the potential, I'm very conscious as a leader that AI doesn't replace people.

AI should be viewed as a tool that helps reduce pressure on teams such as automating repetitive tasks or others methods for efficiency. At the end of the day, we're still relying on people to build relationships, make connections, and most importantly, think critically. Those human elements can't be replaced.

That's why it's so important to invest in our people and make sure their cups stay full. Technology can help us work smarter, but people are what make organizations successful. I encourage others to stay curious about AI and use it as a tool to stay current with industry trends and emerging opportunities, but people are irreplaceable.

Having empathy and compassion is incredibly important to me, and that applies in both my career and personal life. I also believe in looking for ways to stay curious in any situation. When there's a disagreement, if you have the mindset that you're asking out of curiosity and you're seeking to understand, it lowers those barriers of defensiveness from rising. I value the ability to really hear people because they might be saying one thing, but if you're truly listening, you may hear that there's something else behind what they're telling you. That can help you get to the root cause of their frustration. It goes back to asking with curiosity and understanding why they're frustrated, and then working through it together. Because this is a partnership. We're in this together, and we're going to fix it together.