“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou
June 1, 1990. The start of my career at AT&T. It’s hard to believe that now, some ~32 years later, I’ve announced my upcoming retirement (or as I prefer, “rewirement”) from a company and industry I’ve loved. In full transparency, the moment is bittersweet as this chapter of my life has spanned more time than the duration of my marriage, the age of my children, or even the tenure of my formal education. Over the years, the accomplishments and outcomes we achieved together have faded into the distance as transformation has continually compelled and propelled us forward. No more so than during these last few years as we’ve dealt with the pandemic together, harnessing the vital importance and power of our connections.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve in support of my business clients, partners, and the best and most dedicated, committed global B2B team in the industry. Together, we have made a profound difference by enabling and unleashing the power of human connection. We have inspired and been inspired by the countless possibilities catalyzed by technology and made possible by incredible people. We created new experiences that none of us could have imagined back in the days when I started on this journey. It has been an amazing ride, and I could not be prouder of the impact that we’ve made together on the business marketplace.
As I transition to my “rewirement”, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to each and every one of you who has been part of this journey with me. Our experiences have allowed me to grow into the leader I am today. You’ve taught me the importance of culture, and together, we’ve proved that culture is in fact our most enduring competitive advantage. Over the years, so many of you have weighed in on this platform to offer words of encouragement, affirmation of your support, while extending your kindness through your feedback. You have no idea how much it’s lifted me up and how meaningful it is to engage with you. I am forever grateful for our relationship and the incredible experiences we’ve had together.
Allow me to once again share some favorite “Chow-isms”:
- “Life is all about relationships – be sure to seek and foster meaningful ones.”
- “Leadership is all around us, and the potential for greatness lies within everyone. We’ve each been given the ultimate gift of this one life to live. Make a difference and leave a legacy that makes the world a better place…for everyone”
- “There is no such thing as failure. There are only two outcomes ~ success and learning.”
- “Diversity of all kinds – whether of opinion, gender, ethnicity, or experience – is sure to drive more innovation and better results in an environment where each and every person can thrive and belong.”
- “Life is an optimization equation, do not focus on balance; strive to be clear about your priorities and those no-do-over moments. I believe you can have it all, just not all at the same time.”
- “To BE good, we must DO good, FOR good.”
With every ending, there is a new beginning. I look forward to the new and exciting ways that our paths will cross again.
With eternal gratitude,
Anne
