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Advice to a younger me


Advice to a younger me

By Daryl M Williams

Full disclosure….

…I haven’t always been a model employee. Sometimes the truth hurts but writing that doesn’t hurt me although I know I have potentially prevented myself from achieving in some areas and opportunities in other areas. How is not important and you don’t have to tell me how you may have sabotaged yourself but knowing is half the battle.

Right?

So, what would a mature Daryl tell a younger Daryl? Lots of things, like Peeps really don’t taste good, avoid certain types of beverages and try and align your jobs with your career. Please see below for some relevant specifics:
  • Learn at every opportunity: Whether from a direct report, peer, customer or leader make sure to take the opportunity to learn. I think I’ve done this for the most part but it is worth mentioning and I certainly could do it better.
  • Don’t take things so personal: Now I come across nice enough, in fact a former co-worker once told me “Every time I see you, you have a smile on your face.” I’d rather be happy than not, seems obvious but I’m not sure it is and back to my point about taking things personal. I seem nice enough but I try to use fuel to fire me and focus me at every turn and sometimes that can result in taking things personally. ‘Why didn’t that person respond when I said hello?’ ‘Why aren’t I on that project?’ Fuel yes, but don’t let it turn you into Oscar the Grouch. Get over it. Luckily I believe I have but as before, I can certainly do better.
  • Take on every project and act as if it is the world’s greatest and biggest opportunity. I worked for an organization that modeled its Learning & Development function after Motorola University, MU, and I took nearly EVERY opportunity I could to attend a training session. I figured this would benefit me down the road even if I did not know it at the time. As I grew into other positions and other organizations, I was less zealous and while there can be a fine line between being an active learner and attending EVERYTHING and saying no, I encourage you to take advantage of the training offered and use the time wisely especially if it is a skip level meeting, meaning some big wigs will also be participants. Learning and relationship building, does it get better?
  • ALWAYS be early. Let’s just say this has not always been the case.
  • NEVER be late. See above.
I could go on but this is a good start and information I will look to share with anyone interested in listening. So pay it forward and help someone avoid the mistakes you made.

Daryl M Williams, MBA, M.S., is an adjunct professor, teaching Career Planning and Management as well as being a Career Coach. He is passionate about providing information to assist friends, family, students, alums, and even frenemies (really) in professional development and uses his management experience in Fortune 500, non-profit and private corporations to inform his decisions. Feel free to connect via LinkedIn.

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