The power of listening
Jaison Williams ’93, is in many ways, a professional mentor. As Global Head of Talent for Fitbit, the mass communications graduate helps to identify people for leadership positions and helps people in the organization reach their fullest potential and find fulfillment through their careers.
Williams’ own experience at BU might have been cut short without mentors from the ACT 101 program. The first-generation college student shared his story and life lessons with BU students at the Husky Leadership Conference in February. Williams told the student leaders how he came to BU in the summer through the ACT 101 program.
“I took two courses that summer, and I didn’t do well in my second class,” recalled Williams. “There was a pivotal point where I may not come back in the fall. My parents, hearing this news, immediately jumped in the car, drove up to Bloomsburg, and talked to Dr. Jesse Bryan, who ran the Act 101 program, to find out what I needed to do to be successful. After that meeting, I had a very stern talking to.”
“I started listening to students who were ahead of me and had successfully begun their career at Bloomsburg, and hanging around and figuring out what specifically they were doing that was different from me,” said Williams. “Later, my parents called, and they said ‘we don’t think you’re doing enough listening in class, so we’re going to send you a tape recorder, and we want you to record your classes, and then go back and listen to them later to pick up what you may have missed.’ I learned how to listen better and parse out information.”
Energized, Williams dove into all the mass communications department had to offer. “I wrote for The Voice. I was on Bloom News. I was involved. I started the first rap radio show on WBUQ and I had the first music video show. I taught myself the work.”
After graduation, Williams earned master’s and doctoral degrees at Penn State and held positions at Cendant, American Express, Pfizer and GSK.
“I needed guidance beyond myself. So I created a board of directors who are committed to helping me be successful. Sometimes you might hear them called accountability partners. Every year, we meet— virtually, because we’re not all in the same place— and we talk about our goals for the year. What are we trying to accomplish, personally and professionally? Some of those are long-term goals; some of those are short-term goals. Every quarter, we get together and debrief on what progress we’ve made. We coach one another and try to help one another improve.”
“As you’re starting out, think about who to network with and who to build that level of committed relationship with,” Williams told the students at the leadership conference. “Listen, learn, and lead.” You don’t have to do it in that order. You might not do everything on a given day, but this mantra of these three L’s have been key as I look back over my life in terms of what helped me move from being a first-time college student here at Bloomsburg to being Fitbit’s first head of talent.”