Over the years, I have worked with some very strong leaders who have taught me important lessons along the way. Below I have compiled these lessons to create my Building Blocks for success. Here are just a few of my rules to live by.
Set lofty goals, and then help others to do the same. Many people sell themselves short. I was taught at an early age to always aim high. I have made it my goal to share that lesson, always encouraging those around me to think big and achieve big.
Look for game changing opportunities. In any organization, there is always an opportunity to do things differently. I always look for ways to change the rules, working with the smartest people I can find to make a difference.
Communicate, communicate, communicate. People need to hear your organization’s vision and strategy over and over again. Consistently communicating on the same theme tells people you really do plan to stick to the goals at hand, and ensures your intent is clearly understood.
Accepting a cross-functional role can be a fast track to success. Rounding out my career and looking for new challenges has always been important to me. I have made several career moves that were not promotions, but a new position in a different functional area. In most cases, these were the roles I learned from the most.
You are only as good as your team, so hire your dream team. I look for people who think differently from me and challenge my beliefs. The recipe for a strong team is to hire gifted people with diverse backgrounds and strengths.
Mentors are critical. Without question, my career has progressed because of the stellar people I have worked with over the past 20 years. Surround yourself with a few role models who will push you, debate with you, and who will always tell you the truth.
The advice I often give to colleagues, as well as my own daughters, is to create your own personal building blocks for success, and aim high. You can achieve anything you want to achieve; you just need the right people in your life to help you get there.
