When I started in the pharma industry in Brazil in 1969, I was a young chemistry technician, eager to dive into my new job working with machinery, distillation, and filtration. I couldn’t wait to apply all the technical knowledge I had worked so hard to acquire.
What I didn’t expect?
Moving 200-liter barrels of recycled solvents — heavy, sweaty, physical labor.
Here’s the twist:
My work partner was more than twice my age, with no formal education. He wasn’t just physically capable — he was more resilient, calmer, and far more skilled at getting the job done right.
He didn’t just show me how to handle heavy barrels safely — he taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of practical wisdom.
The lessons that stayed with me:
- Every job has value, no matter how small it seems.
- The biggest growth comes when you stay humble and curious.
- Respect people for their experience, not just their title.
- You don’t have to know everything — you just need to be willing to learn.
Decades later, having led international teams, these lessons still shape how I lead and work.
For anyone early in their career: there’s real value in the work you’re doing today — even if you can’t see it yet.
What’s one lesson you learned early in your career that stuck with you?
I’d love to hear.
