One of the vital bittersweet features of parenthood is instructing your youngsters to fly from the nest and turn out to be unbiased, however nonetheless eager for their every day presence in your life. So, think about should you set to work on the identical firm workplace as your grownup youngster and your relationship continued to blossom in completely sudden methods.
Father-daughter duo Peter and Nicole Wen get to expertise this excellent state of affairs. Along with their parent-child relationship, the 2 are colleagues at AT&T, the place Peter Wen is director of technical gross sales and Nicole Wen is principal venture program supervisor. Peter has labored on the firm for over 26 years, and Nicole began working there in 2019. Though they report back to totally different departments at AT&T, the 2 have “lunch-ins” collectively to share recommendation with one another, and Peter says his daughter has helped convey him out of his shell and taught him the significance and worth of networking.
Q&A with Peter and Nicole Wen
We spoke with Peter and Nicole Wen about how carpooling to work collectively and assembly for lunch dates has helped them each evolve personally and professionally.
(This dialog has been edited for readability and size.)
SUCCESS: What prompted the concept so that you can begin assembly for “lunch-ins” collectively throughout your workday?
Nicole Wen: We began having informal “lunch-ins” early on after I first began at AT&T. At first, it was simply to verify in to make sure I used to be getting my footing on the firm and share what we had been engaged on, however as they continued it grew to become a significant technique to join and study from one another professionally.
Peter Wen: When Nicole joined the corporate, I used to be thrilled—it’s uncommon to get this type of overlap along with your grownup youngster. We make time to attach every time our schedules align to speak about work and life. With the ability to communicate the identical “work language” although we work in numerous departments on totally different tasks has made us a lot nearer, and I’ve discovered a lot from Nicole since she began at AT&T.
S: Nicole, what recommendation has your dad given you throughout considered one of your lunch-ins that has helped or impressed you?
NW: Professionally, my dad has proven me the significance of staying centered on constructing your experience in your profession. Our approaches may differ, however we share that very same core worth. Throughout our lunch-ins and carpool rides collectively, I’ll typically ask, “How would you method this?” and he provides sensible, balanced recommendation I can apply in my very own method.
Personally, I’ve discovered from his calm, considerate method. He instructed me to by no means say no to a chance, massive or small. That is one thing that has stayed with me and I remind myself every now and then when new alternatives come up.
S: Peter, because the guardian of an grownup youngster chances are you’ll not get to see as typically, I think about it’s so particular attending to spend your lunches with Nicole. Please share how Nicole has helped convey you out of your shell.
PW: Lunch-ins with Nicole have made us a lot nearer and it’s been unbelievable to see all of her success in such a brief period of time on the firm. She’s masterful at connecting with individuals from all backgrounds.
Her character has at all times let her department out simply, and seeing this at work has actually impressed me to return out of my shell. When Nicole joined and finally took a management place in our worker group InspirASIAN, she inspired me to take part extra and get entangled. I had been a member however by no means actually participated earlier than she joined. I began going to the conferences and fascinating with different members— even mentoring some—and this has actually proven me the worth of connecting with colleagues at work.
S: Peter, please talk about how Nicole has energized your give attention to networking. What networking suggestions has she taught you that you possibly can share with us?
PW: Nicole’s technology actually understands networking in a method mine didn’t. Again after I was constructing my profession, you stayed in your function for a few years, saved your head down, and let your work communicate for itself. I used to be so centered on turning into a topic knowledgeable, and networking was much less of a precedence then. However Nicole confirmed me that constructing relationships is simply as necessary and may even enable you to hone your craft.
She’s intentional about connecting with individuals—understanding what they do, discovering methods to collaborate and creating area for mutual help. That is one thing I want I did extra of earlier in my very own profession.
S: Nicole, what do you assume we will study out of your dad’s technology about work and life?
NW: His technology has a number of helpful recommendation for individuals who are simply beginning their careers. I believe my technology ought to study to attach with tenured professionals they work with extra typically to realize this angle and new insights. They’ve navigated the company world and have many years of expertise problem-solving totally different challenges and dealing with all totally different sorts of personalities. He’s taught me the worth of being considerate and intentional, even when every little thing round you strikes shortly.
S: Peter, what do you assume we will study from Nicole’s technology about how they navigate work and life?
PW: They’re extremely open to vary. Nicole has already held a number of roles in just some years, and he or she embraces every one with curiosity and confidence. Once I was simply beginning my profession, there was much less of a precedence positioned on networking. Her technology isn’t afraid to talk up, discover new paths or ask for what they want—which is an actual power.
S: Peter and Nicole, what do you every really feel is the perfect factor about attending to work collectively?
NW: It made becoming a member of a big firm like AT&T a lot much less intimidating. Simply realizing he was a hallway or a name away gave me confidence. And it’s enjoyable—we discuss work, bounce concepts round and even used to carpool karaoke now and again!
Along with my day job, I additionally help our AT&T worker useful resource group, InspirASIAN, because the vice chairman for the Dallas–Fort Value chapter. Previous to me becoming a member of the corporate, my dad wasn’t too concerned in any extracurriculars. I joined to make buddies exterior my group. I discussed to my dad how superior the group is, all of the charity work and scholarship fundraising, and inspired him to hitch. And now it’s one other factor we do collectively. Our favourite occasion is the Lunar New Yr occasion, a giant celebration with meals, music and dragon dancing, and it’s very particular to do collectively.
PW: Watching Nicole thrive in her personal profession is the perfect half. I get to see her in motion, constructing relationships, fixing issues and rising into a frontrunner. And I get little moments—lunches, fast chats—that I wouldn’t in any other case have now that she’s out of the home. It’s a present.
Picture from Nicole and Peter Wen
