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Career Advice, or was it?
In my twenties, as I left the first real organization I had ever worked for, I requested a 1 on 1 exit discussion with the CEO. Bold, I know, as it wasn't a tiny company. I was hungry for career advice and since I was leaving on good terms, I took advantage of the opportunity to ask for what I thought might be ‘uncensored' guidance. We spoke about the importance of international business and he gave me one of his favorite business books to read (and for the life of me I cannot remember its title and I cannot find it, anywhere). However, his parting comment, I will remember until the day I die. "The grass is brown on both sides of the fence."
Was the advice positive or negative commentary on my future? One might immediately conclude the CEO didn't love what he was doing. I remember my first thought, once I shut my gaping jaw, "Wow, what a crabby, unfulfilled, <BLEEP>. I cherished my decision to leave the Company and continued the corporate ladder climb. Over the years, I noodled on that parting comment. Was it a shot? Was it a premonition? Or, was it sage advice from a trusted mentor? Sometimes intellectual executives speak in riddles, was this one of them? Fast forwarding to today's business world where it is fashionable to live your passion and love what you do, his parting comment seems rather cave-like. However, when you dig into what I've learned he really meant, it was thoughtful advice. This CEO had the top job nearly 25 years. He really did like what he was doing. He was a strategist that backed up his vision with methodical plans and most importantly he placed the right people in key jobs and groomed them. So, what did it mean? There are a lot of different interpretations. In neighborhoods it is ‘keeping up with the Jones'. In sports it is ‘competition'. In fashion it is ‘the latest trend'. In short, it is wanting what the other person has. You see, the CEO had a great point. As long as you need to earn money, even if you are doing what you love, there are outside influences you must deal with. When on the outside looking in at what the other person has, you only can observe the good - meaning the grass looks green. However, when you live the life you must deal with the office politics, the workplace bully, the changing performance measurements, prickly personalities, modified benefits packages, revenue, hiring, firing, etc. Every company, big or small, has ‘not so fun' activities - meaning the grass just might be brown. Said another way, you must take the good with the bad. I'm sure I thought the new opportunity I was leaving for was going to be AWESOME, and only good. I was blinded by the newness and unlimited possibilities. But I remember getting there and loving the work, but getting tangled up in re-organizations, and corporate red tape. My grass had a few weeds that I didn't notice when I was walking on the street. Looking back, I think the advice was useful. At the time I was too inexperienced to have any context to place it. With time comes experience - hopefully this serves as a reminder to consider all aspects, both the good and the bad, as you contemplate potential moves. What advice were you given that continues to stick with you? Comment below. blog comments powered by Disqus |