“ Perception is reality. Figure out how you want to be perceived and be consistent about taking action that allows others to see you that way.”
Alita T. Wingfi eld Executive Director and Managing Attorney GLOBAL LITIGATION GROUP MORGAN STANLEY
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Morgan Stanley is a multi-national fi nancial services corporation headquartered in midtown Manhattan, New York City. Morgan Stanley operates in 42 countries and has more than 1,300 offi ces and 60,000 employees. T e Legal and Compliance Division is also global with more than 1,200 lawyers in the U.S. and around the world.
an assignment or a new project with the confi dence that you can handle it and spend the time it takes to do it well. Don’t procrastinate, don’t cut corners, and anticipate ques- tions so that you are prepared with answers. Be Prepared—Preparation eases anxiety. Do your
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research and create an outline before you begin any writing assignment. I learned to think of my fi rst draft as my “sloppy copy” no matter how polished it may have been. Build in time so that you can take a day away from your “sloppy copy”—review it again with fresh eyes. You will fi nd that this approach will always lead to a better document. Be Aggressive—You are the CEO of your career. You
should not depend on mentors, sponsors, advocates, friends, professors, alumni, or former employers to get you to the next level. T ey can all be extremely helpful but you have to lead the way. Figure out what you want and ask for it, work for it, and put yourself in a position to deserve it.
DIVERSITY & THE BAR® JULY/AUGUST 2014
F I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW I WOULD HAVE been more confi dent and fearless, more prepared and more aggressive earlier in my career. Be Confi dent and Fearless—What has brought you this far will continue to sustain you. Take on
Successful skills and character traits—You must be
thorough and diligent and willing to put in the extra time. Track down every lead, follow each research trail and ask the follow-up question. T e power is in the details. You must have integrity and be honest; be willing to
reveal bad news and own up to mistakes. You will have a time in your career when the law or the facts are not in your favor—be clear and upfront always. Avoid any temp- tation to slant the truth. You will also have a time when you make a mistake, such as citing the wrong law, submit- ting a document with a typo, missing an important detail. You must own up to it early and without excuse. Other helpful hints to rise to the top: Perception is reality. Figure out how you want to be
perceived and be consistent about taking action that allows others to see you that way. Volunteer to work on something that is important to
your organization. I chose to focus on the fi rm’s and the Legal and Compliance Division’s diversity and inclusion eff orts. Little did I know that I would enjoy it so much. It allowed me to build meaningful relationships with senior management, create long-lasting programs and initiatives, and build valuable leadership skills that I would not have otherwise obtained so early in my career.
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