What to do when the unexpected happens in your career
This is the fourth and final installment in a series about the career advice I give most often. You can also read the first, second and third posts here.
I’ve been restructured out of a job. I’ve led projects that ultimately failed. I’ve been turned down for a promotion I thought I’d earned. My biggest takeaway is that careers are simply not a perfect, straight line upward.
You can, and should, prepare for aspirational roles. Take stretch assignments and volunteer for new projects. Observe leaders above you and emulate some of their behaviors. But the bottom line is that no matter how well you prepare, there will be bumps in the road and you’ll have bad luck.
I’m a fan of a quote often attributed to the great NFL coach Vince Lombardi: “Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals character.” How you accept failure and bounce back from an unexpected challenge says a lot about you.
When I evaluate leaders, I want to hear how they have overcome their setbacks – how they channeled their disappointment and frustration into determination to succeed. What they learned and did differently the next time.
I also want leaders who acknowledge the luck they’ve had. The truth is that sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time. Someone took a risk on you and trusted you in a role you were still growing into.
The goal is to be ready to walk through that door when it’s opened to you. The more at-bats you take, the more likely you are to get on base.
Luck matters. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. Over time, it’s always both. Your ability to adapt and adjust determines what happens next.
(MCDONALD'S) Assistant Manager at Riyadh International Catering Corp.
1yThanks for sharing
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1yYou mean like food poisoning
Operations & Revenue Management
1yGood lesson, even the best business plan in the world needs the ball 🏀 to bounce through the hoop. Sometimes the shots don’t fall. It happens. Keep shooting!!
US Strategic Alignment Manager at McDonald's | Business Strategy and Analytics | People Leader
1yLuck Is When Preparation Meets Opportunity!!
responsable commercial chez CHEC. prêt à cotoyer de nouveaux challenges.
1yChris Kempczinski I would like to bring your franchise back to Central Africa but I don't know who to contact