Some of you may be starting your first job this September, while others may be returning to the office. I thought it might be a good time to review some tips for job success and I decided to try something a little different for this newsletter. I reached out to my personal board of directors for some advice. These are people who I have known for most of my adult life and collectively represent approximately 140 years of business experience. Their comments are in quotes, bolded, and italicized below.
If you don’t have a personal board of directors, you should start thinking about assembling one. These are individuals who know your strengths and weaknesses and are blunt in their assessment of both, never holding back the truth you need to hear.
Back to School Special. Get 15% off these self-paced classes using Coupon Code TSL15.
Founder Finance - Finance for non-financial people who want to build a startup
This may seem trite, but I have been amazed how often people think it is acceptable to show up late, or not at all. Some of you may work for companies that are struggling to get people back to the office. Here is a simple truth about life and business: power shifts happen. Just as real estate markets can shift abruptly from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market, so can the relationship between employers and employees. You might think that resisting going to the office is in your favor now, but as the saying goes, “payback is a b#*%h.”
Dressed to play has several meanings. In this case I am not referring to your actual dress, but rather, preparedness. Before you begin a new job spend some time reading up on the history of the company, the organization, and where you fit. If the business is public, read the last annual report and understand your market, your competition, and what goals the company is trying to achieve. In other words, be prepared on day one to hit the ground running.
Above all else, be positive. Positivity and enthusiasm are force multipliers. “If people don’t want to be around you, you won’t succeed.”
No. 2 – Engage with your boss. Embrace your role
Get to know your boss. Figure out how she/he is measured and what they need to accomplish to be successful. “Figure out how to make your boss look good.” Get into the habit of asking for feedback, but don’t overdo it.”Having a good relationship with your boss is every bit as important as your relationships with your peers. “Most people quit or stay based on the health of this relationship.”
“Make intergenerational friendships. They will help you in your career and give you a sense that there is more than one version of success in your industry.”
“Everyone starts as a caddy - embrace it and excel.” A good caddy knows that their job is to help the golfer perform better. They know the course. They observe the wind and make judgements about distance. They read putts. This is essentially your role.
No. 3 – Respect everyone
Be respectful of everyone who you work with. This includes all administrative staff, delivery people, security people, IT staff, etc. It costs nothing to be polite. No excuses. “Resist the urge to engage in water cooler gossip. This is where morale is destroyed. Trust is built on integrity and propriety.”
No. 4 – Have a growth mindset
“Be extremely curious about the subject matter with which you are working and spend the first year asking as many questions as you can.” Yet, before you ask for help be sure that you have worked your hardest to get the answer on your own. “Endeavor to be self-sufficient.”
Just be aware that “challenging roles take 3 years to become proficient - think of your first job as if it were law school or B - School.”
No. 5– Seek value in your work
Contrary to what your parents or teachers tell you, the smartest people don’t always win. Learn to work hard in the service of others. A friend of mine recently told me a story about a lunch that he had with his uncle who was a Jesuit priest. He was 24 at the time and his uncle inquired about his new job. He sheepishly replied that he was in commercial real estate, and he drove clients around helping them find real estate for their businesses. His uncle’s response made a lasting impact - “working in the service of others in the highest calling.” Today, my friend is the executive vice chairman at one of the country’s largest real estate firms.
Don’t just sit around and wait for work to come to you. Seek out ways to get involved whether helping others or taking on a new initiative.
No. 6– Persistence trumps talent
Work hard. Work smart. Pay attention to the little things. “The attention to detail required in a professional environment is drastically higher than what is required in college and showing a sharp attention to detail early will allow you to set yourself apart from your peers.”
No. 7 – Never lie. Accept responsibility
When you are working hard, mistakes happen. Accept responsibility. Conduct a postmortem. Avoid making the same mistake twice. “Always know your integrity is more important than your job. And that is easy to say in the abstract, but it is critical to remember in a crisis.”
No. 8– Customs, Culture, Language all matter
It is believed that the best fighter pilots have what is known as a fast OODA Loop. Essentially, their ability to “Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act” allows them to stay alive. When you begin employment, observe how people dress and comport themselves. Be aware of how business is conducted and what is acceptable behavior and language. Look to those who have successfully climbed the ladder and understand what it takes to get there.
Bonus Tip – When attending company outings either don’t drink or have a beer and drink 1/3rd of it. Work the crowd and say hello to as many people as possible. Then do an “Irish Exit” before things get crazy. Everyone will remember that you showed up, but you will have avoided whatever shenanigans that may have occurred later in the evening.
Tips for Success in Your Job
Tips for Success in Your Job
Tips for Success in Your Job
No. 19
Why Read?
Sage advice from my personal board of directors
Because you want to start off on the right foot
Because I asked you to read it :)
Some of you may be starting your first job this September, while others may be returning to the office. I thought it might be a good time to review some tips for job success and I decided to try something a little different for this newsletter. I reached out to my personal board of directors for some advice. These are people who I have known for most of my adult life and collectively represent approximately 140 years of business experience. Their comments are in quotes, bolded, and italicized below.
If you don’t have a personal board of directors, you should start thinking about assembling one. These are individuals who know your strengths and weaknesses and are blunt in their assessment of both, never holding back the truth you need to hear.
Back to School Special. Get 15% off these self-paced classes using Coupon Code TSL15.
Founder Finance - Finance for non-financial people who want to build a startup
ETA: Buying a Small Business - Don’t have a novel idea then buy a business instead
Business Model Innovation - Time tested method for evaluating or creating business models
FREE Getting from Seed to Series A - Learn how to raise capital for your startup
No. 1 – Show Up. On Time. Dressed to Play
This may seem trite, but I have been amazed how often people think it is acceptable to show up late, or not at all. Some of you may work for companies that are struggling to get people back to the office. Here is a simple truth about life and business: power shifts happen. Just as real estate markets can shift abruptly from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market, so can the relationship between employers and employees. You might think that resisting going to the office is in your favor now, but as the saying goes, “payback is a b#*%h.”
Dressed to play has several meanings. In this case I am not referring to your actual dress, but rather, preparedness. Before you begin a new job spend some time reading up on the history of the company, the organization, and where you fit. If the business is public, read the last annual report and understand your market, your competition, and what goals the company is trying to achieve. In other words, be prepared on day one to hit the ground running.
Above all else, be positive. Positivity and enthusiasm are force multipliers. “If people don’t want to be around you, you won’t succeed.”
No. 2 – Engage with your boss. Embrace your role
Get to know your boss. Figure out how she/he is measured and what they need to accomplish to be successful. “Figure out how to make your boss look good.” Get into the habit of asking for feedback, but don’t overdo it.” Having a good relationship with your boss is every bit as important as your relationships with your peers. “Most people quit or stay based on the health of this relationship.”
“Make intergenerational friendships. They will help you in your career and give you a sense that there is more than one version of success in your industry.”
“Everyone starts as a caddy - embrace it and excel.” A good caddy knows that their job is to help the golfer perform better. They know the course. They observe the wind and make judgements about distance. They read putts. This is essentially your role.
No. 3 – Respect everyone
Be respectful of everyone who you work with. This includes all administrative staff, delivery people, security people, IT staff, etc. It costs nothing to be polite. No excuses. “Resist the urge to engage in water cooler gossip. This is where morale is destroyed. Trust is built on integrity and propriety.”
No. 4 – Have a growth mindset
“Be extremely curious about the subject matter with which you are working and spend the first year asking as many questions as you can.” Yet, before you ask for help be sure that you have worked your hardest to get the answer on your own. “Endeavor to be self-sufficient.”
Just be aware that “challenging roles take 3 years to become proficient - think of your first job as if it were law school or B - School.”
No. 5– Seek value in your work
Contrary to what your parents or teachers tell you, the smartest people don’t always win. Learn to work hard in the service of others. A friend of mine recently told me a story about a lunch that he had with his uncle who was a Jesuit priest. He was 24 at the time and his uncle inquired about his new job. He sheepishly replied that he was in commercial real estate, and he drove clients around helping them find real estate for their businesses. His uncle’s response made a lasting impact - “working in the service of others in the highest calling.” Today, my friend is the executive vice chairman at one of the country’s largest real estate firms.
Don’t just sit around and wait for work to come to you. Seek out ways to get involved whether helping others or taking on a new initiative.
No. 6– Persistence trumps talent
Work hard. Work smart. Pay attention to the little things. “The attention to detail required in a professional environment is drastically higher than what is required in college and showing a sharp attention to detail early will allow you to set yourself apart from your peers.”
No. 7 – Never lie. Accept responsibility
When you are working hard, mistakes happen. Accept responsibility. Conduct a postmortem. Avoid making the same mistake twice. “Always know your integrity is more important than your job. And that is easy to say in the abstract, but it is critical to remember in a crisis.”
No. 8– Customs, Culture, Language all matter
It is believed that the best fighter pilots have what is known as a fast OODA Loop. Essentially, their ability to “Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act” allows them to stay alive. When you begin employment, observe how people dress and comport themselves. Be aware of how business is conducted and what is acceptable behavior and language. Look to those who have successfully climbed the ladder and understand what it takes to get there.
Bonus Tip – When attending company outings either don’t drink or have a beer and drink 1/3rd of it. Work the crowd and say hello to as many people as possible. Then do an “Irish Exit” before things get crazy. Everyone will remember that you showed up, but you will have avoided whatever shenanigans that may have occurred later in the evening.
No. 9– Create a Maginot Line
“Office friendships are complicated, keep your personal business your own.” Have boundaries and stick to them.
No. 10 – Success Math Equation
I simply love this bit of advice that my friend’s father gave him when he started his first job out of college.
"If you just show up on time and give them 100% of your effort and focus every day, you will be ahead of 60% of everyone else in the company...
If you don't steal from the company, even the little things like paper and pens, you will beat another 20%...
And if you don't [have inappropriate relationships] , you will beat another 10%.
That will leave you in a footrace with the last 10% based on brains and guts, and brains will only get you so far." [Mic Drop]
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