David is an Ascend Technologies Senior Analyst, Salesforce. He shared what it means to be part of a team.
What is your favorite sports team?
Chicago Bulls, but I am a big fan of all Chicago sports in general.
What sports have you played?
I played basketball, baseball, and football in high school. I still play some pickup basketball every now and then.
What do you remember being the most valuable lesson from someone that supported your team sport or past time?
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you.”
Have you or someone close to you played a professional sport?
One of my best friends growing up is a professional golfer. His name is Nick Hardy. He is working his way to the PGA, but he is on the Korn Ferry Tour right now.
What did you learn most from this experience and what lessons have these professional athletes share with you?
He has really taught me that hard work can pay off. This is someone that went out golfing everyday and put in the work to be the best he can be. And now, he is on his way to the PGA.
What do you like the most about being part of the Ascend team?
I love the people and the culture. No matter who I talk to, I can have a nice conversation. All the team events, happy hours, etc., are nice to be able to talk to people outside of my direct team and create new connections within the company. I have also learned so many things within the Salesforce space, as well as being a professional.
How do you relate the team experiences you have had to the way your team functions at Ascend? How have the experiences supported your success at Ascend and in your boarder career?
I have learned how valuable teamwork is. There is always someone to pick you up when you are down and teach you new skills that you did not know.
This has helped me at Ascend by working alongside some amazing teammates and learning from them. There are so many different skillsets in one team and being able to pick everyone’s brain has helped me grow in the Salesforce space.
What is your favorite team slogan, cheer or theme? How do bring this into your daily life?
“Trust your teammates.” This comes into my life everyday as I work with other team members. If you do not trust your teammates, there is no way to come together as a team.