Informal Interactions with Tami Erwin

Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Verizon Business

As an executive vice president and CEO at one of nation’s largest telecommunications companies, how do you find time to maintain a work-life balance?

I have found that giving myself permission to ask for help has been essential in how I manage my professional and personal life. Receiving help is a sign of strength. It’s a lesson that I’ve learned over the course of this past year, in particular, as I continue to rebound from complicated back surgery and really learned the power of admitting what I don’t know and seeking expertise and support from those around me. The ability to “do it all” on your own is a myth, but we can do it all with a strong support system and the knowledge of when to raise your hand to tap into that support system. I often say “outsource everything but love” and open up the space to let others help out. To me, this is an essential part of self-care, in addition to ensuring that we take that time to check in with ourselves and those around us and take the space and time needed to serve our own bodies and minds so we can continue to serve others.