Weekly Thought – December 16, 2014
Fred loved talent… recognizing it, developing it, and encouraging it. He thought analytically and created strategic outlines for “making progress.” In this letter he thinks about ways to enable a young man to grow professionally and personally.
Thank you for your ongoing encouragement as we bring Fred’s archived wisdom to you. He sought to stretch others and our desire is for his thinking to spur you to maturity.
Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Part 5)
I want to share out of my own experience twelve do’s and five don’ts that I think are particularly applicable to the young person who wants to move well in a corporate environment. These are generalities, of course, and there will always be exceptions and variations.
1) Do accept the job as an individual and complete challenge in itself – not just as a stepping stone toward the next level. Master the job so completely you will be able to devise new and better methods for achieving the best results.
2) Do locate and cultivate someone above you (as high as possible) who can be your sponsor. It is critically important to recognize sponsorship must be built on merit and mutual respect, not just friendship or social connections.
3) Do focus on making a good first impression. For example, this can be done by: asking intelligent questions, being a good listener, being colorful but not showy, understanding your area of genius and developing it.
4) Do plot your course carefully putting it in writing with specifics. Be sure it is of mutual benefit to you and your employer. And always be ready for God’s directional changes.
5) Do be a team player. A great team member is neither a hard line conformist, nor an inflexible non-conformist. A military general once told me he asked every new officer: “Tell me what liabilities you bring with you which I must protect the organization against.”
6) Do make results your measure for activity. “Show me the baby, don’t tell me about the labor pains.”
7) Do develop strong work habits. They are vital time savers. Good habits are for the times when you don’t want to work, not when you do.
8) Do think of ways to help your superior as much as you expect him/her to help you. It is always important to think about your supervisor’s job. By doing this you are not only helpful in him/her but gaining training for the day when the job may become yours.
9) Do your work well. It must be above criticism. Be seen as having work under control.
10) Do be a realist. Business is a practice of the possible. Don’t spend time on things that can’t be done. See things as they are but have faith in the future. There is magic in believing if you don’t believe in magic.
11) Do remain connected to your roots. Temptations and options multiply with power, but the way to keep the best of the past is to protect the roots.
12) Do control the big troika: health, money, and sex. Good health, well-managed money (both corporate and personal) and disciplined sex lives are necessary for growth. These are often the three that hinder and hamper forward progress.
This week think about: 1) Which of the twelve is key for me this week? 2) What counsel would I offer a young man or woman who asks? 3) How would I define maturity?
Words of Wisdom: “Success involves doing and accomplishing, not just avoiding potholes or booby traps.”
Wisdom from the Word: “For wisdom will enter your heart, and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.” (Proverbs 2:10 NET Bible)