"Success is a journey, not a destination"
"Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome." One of my favorite Arthur Ashe quotes. It very much represents how I feel about managing a career.
The greatest accomplishment in my career is not the destination, where I am today, it's the amazing collection of friends, learning and experiences.
Today I find myself thinking about my sons. How will they run their race? What do they need to know that you'll never find in a book or a classroom? What have I forgotten to tell them?
I put together this list .......
1. What you do with what you know is more important than what you know. Your credentials and skills aren't entitlement, they're just potential door openers. You still have to 'do'.
2. If you believe you can, you will. The size of your faith and belief in yourself will define your capacity. Doubt and the frames we create for ourselves are the biggest killer of dreams you'll ever encounter.
3. Your next job isn't your last job, it's just your next job. Your next job will be the introduction to the position after that one. Be a builder.
4. Cultural fit is more important than your skills and experience. As managers our job to 'instill the will without killing the spirit'. If you find yourself somewhere where your spirit is being killed, you should build your exit strategy.
5. It will be necessary to move laterally or step back to get ahead at least once in your career. There is no shame in doing this. This is mission, it takes courage not ego.
6. It's important to remember that everyone has a different dream. The best leaders are those that enable people's dreams and understand that most of these dreams have nothing to do with work. Work is just an enabler. Be an enabler.
7. Leadership is not a popularity contest or a democracy. Budgets get cut. Companies are downsized or sold. Leaders don't count votes, they make difficult decisions. The loneliest job I ever had was CEO.
8. There is nothing like a first impression. Always having a compelling elevator pitch in your pocket is critical. Who you are, what you've done, and where you are going.
9. Flexibility in your career is key. Making mistakes will get you farther than needing to be sure and safe. Your experiences will compound only if you take chances and stretch.
10. The speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack. Always understand the speed of the pack and stay out at the front.
11. Never, ever, talk badly about a client or your audience regardless of what they do. Others are watching you and will define your character based on what you do and say.
12. You must be able to ignore what's in your rear view mirror. When you leave, people will 'pee on your grave'. This happens in every move you will make. Anticipate it. It's dirt off your shoulder.
In summary, I'm still learning and this article isn't complete. If I'm able to heed my own advice, it will thankfully never be finished or complete.
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