Career Lessons I’ve Learned (or realized) Today
I ran across an interesting blogger who is writing a series of articles on career planning. I was intrigued because something he said accurately described the last 9 months of my career:
If you’re going to be a high achiever, you’re going to be in lots of situations where you’re going to be quickly making decisions in the presence of incomplete or incorrect information, under intense time pressure, and often under intense political pressure. You’re going to screw up — frequently — and the screw ups will have serious consequences, and you’ll feel incredibly stupid every time. It can’t faze you — you have to be able to just get right back up and keep on going.
That may be the most valuable skill you can ever learn.
Being responsible for several people and various multi-million dollar projects, I couldn’t agree more. So I continued reading the rest of his career planning articles and they all made me reflect on some other things I’ve learned (or finally realized) today:
10 – You must give respect to earn respect.
9 – When you are respected, people listen to you: subordinates and superiors.
8 – When people listen to you, you have the power to impact change.
7 – When you take care of the people who work for you, it creates a bond of trust and loyalty.
6 – Learning to manage UP is equally as important as learning to manage down.
5 – Getting things done are far more important than getting them done perfectly.
4 – Don’t waste too much time “planning” your career, seek opportunities.
3 – When considering a new opportunity, don’t focus on the money. Pursue opportunities that will enhance your skills, which will ultimately command more money.
2 – Always (yes, I said always) follow your instincts. I always regret it when I don’t.
1 – Where there are ups, there will be just as many downs. Roll with ‘em and keep it moving.
I’m a work in progress, but no doubt about it, I’m learning and improving everyday. :-)
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Fabulous Financials v2.0 » Accepting an Employer Counter Offer is a Bad Idea (Pingback), 13 February 2008, 7:53
[...] simple. Hence, the reason I’m back in strategic planning mode, my recent acknowledgment of lessons learned, and my willingness to take one for the team. At this point, I have nothing very little to lose. [...]
Well said Single ma!
Amen…all SO true…
Very true…not only are these career lessons but LIFE lessons.
how true, I should post it so I can read it frequently.
Wow! That could not have come at a better time for me. THanks Single Fab One. I just started today in a new position and as I am sitting there listening to my new Executive Director tell me about MY management team, I couldn’t help thinking “Oh God, what if I screw up? Can I really do this?” Then I read this and I feel infinitely better.
I love #3. That rule has always treated me well. I may not make as much as I could right now, but I know my income potential is there and I’m learning a lot in the meantime.
One thing I wish I had done differently the past few years was to go back to Listening to my instinct. (#2 on this list) I went against my instinct a number of times (and boy did it backfire on me) even with good advice that pointed to the “other direction”. I’ve gone back to listening to my gut/instinct and am a much happier person for it.
Great list
Ah, this made me feel better about where I am and where (I hope) I am heading. I think I’m getting real good at #5, but accidentally — I get time crunched, frustrated and then, I’m like — “Here! It’s done! Now leave me alone!”