Learn the system and the rules of the game before you begin playing it. Same applies to your organizations, industries or markets. Learn what works, what doesn’t, how are decisions made and who is able to influence the outcomes and contribute to performance. Once you have done your homework, leverage what you have learned for your future actions in service …
Why relationships matter
Whether you are a senior executive with decades of relevant experience in your field or a rookie who started today, you should always proactively invest in building relationships and meeting new people. Go out there, meet others, provide value, speak at events, ask questions and most importantly, listen and learn from those who may be further ahead in business, career …
I should have said “no”
I should have said no! How many times have you felt this way? The moment (or soon thereafter) you have committed to someone on a project, task, event or a service, you have regretted it. The ability to say no to people and manage your time improves with age and experience (like many other things), and it should be something …
Delusional optimism
Being optimistic, positive and confident is always a better option then the alternative. However, it is important not to ignore challenges, problems and issues you and your organization (perhaps even the entire industry) are facing today. Delaying, postponing, deferring challenging conversations and decisions will almost always come back to haunt you with even a higher price tag. Face the music, …
Discipline and why it matters
The mother of all success is discipline. Think about your major accomplishments over the last year, five or ten and you will see that they (whether personal or professional) were heavily dependent on your ability to be disciplined. Did you complete a degree; get that new job; change your career entirely; move across the country or across the world; have …
Courtesy is not consent
Courtesy is not consent. If someone is kind to you and answers your e-mail or a message on LinkedIn that does not mean they have agreed to meet with you, have a call or to be added to your mailing list.
Good ideas are polite
Good ideas won’t interrupt you rudely and unexpectedly in a middle of your day, during a meeting or a call. They will patiently wait for you to seek them out, to do your research, to speak with others and perhaps even read a few books along the way. If you are looking for change, progress and growth, it is up …
Be brave and honest, your future depends on it
Build your credibility as someone who speaks their mind and tells the truth even when that might not be “popular.” Remain professional and respectful, but refuse to blend in into the background noise and do what you can to get off the path of least resistance. Do what is right for the organization that you are a part of and …
Don’t compare yourself to others
While it is valuable to be inspired by the actions of others, one should never attempt to emulate and recreate someone else’s life or career. Instead, focus on being the best version of yourself and live your life and forge new paths on your journey into the unknown.
Cross the finish line
We all have projects, goals and potential accomplishments which have dragged on for way too long. Some of them are 90% done, yet we have spent the last year, or two without any major progress from that point in time. Why is this the case? Are we no longer interested, motivated, inspired? Do we have other priorities? Whatever the reasons …