Resources and Opportunities for Our People to Succeed

Anastasia, a Lab Instrument Services Supervisor on the Global Workforce Solutions (GWS) Life Sciences team, shares experiences and insights about her journey with CBRE, one that she never would have imagined coming out of college with a degree in chemistry. Seven years later, she has grown from instrument technician to team leader to manager, a role she shares has helped her realize the potential she long knew she had, but was hesitant to act upon.

Anastasia joined CBRE after she caught wind that her former toxicology lab colleagues were working there following the closure of their previous employer’s lab. Restless from working for years as a bench chemist, Anastasia was surprised to learn that CBRE was active in life sciences and, when an instrument technician position opened, she took a leap of faith – one that set her on the managerial path she is on now.

“You never know what doors can open and what potential [a new opportunity] has for you. Sometimes, when you take that step out on faith, you have doors open that you don't even understand.”

For those interested in working within life sciences at CBRE, Anastasia highlights the invaluable experiences she has had being supported and engaged with colleagues and senior leaders.

“I've had phone conversations with them. The fact that you can have a tangible person that sometimes in larger companies you don't really get access to – not at CBRE.”

She highlights on-the-job flexibility and collegiality as top reasons why she couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

“Work-life balance does exist. Yes, the business is important. Yes, the customers are important, but you are also important. Your livelihood is a top priority at CBRE.”

As she has risen through the ranks, Anastasia has also experienced firsthand CBRE’s RISE values – Respect, Integrity, Service & Excellence – adding, “The RISE values are something we talk about all the time. There is a high level of respect for our knowledge and what we do; we focus on treating our customers the way they want to be treated, and we always, always communicate.”

Communication has also been important when it comes to managing her team, an area which presented a welcome challenge and opportunity for growth for Anastasia. She advises those with managerial aspirations of the importance of getting to know your team members’ different personalities and adapting your communication style for each individual. The key ingredient? Listening.

“I make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. I take their concerns seriously. And I follow up with those concerns. It's all about building trust.”

Anastasia’s career story is one of taking chances and betting on the people around you, from making the leap from life sciences to a commercial real estate company, to saying “yes” to the supervisor who saw her potential for more. In closing, she offers the following advice:

“Don't let job titles, or job descriptions discourage you from stepping out of your box and just trying.”

Some quotes have been edited for clarity.