Ahh, the classic scenario of ‘taking the pot’ on the very first hand you play. You are left with the notion that your efforts are unfailing and the idea that maybe all the hype surrounding the risk was overrated. You stepped into the arena, and two rounds later came out victorious – the real question now is, how will this help you develop as a professional, and how can you share your lessons with those who have had the exact opposite of fortune?
Last year, friend and former teammate of mine, Justin Abdelkader, decided to leave the collegiate hockey arena and pursue a professional career. Being that the season was nearing an end, the Detroit Red Wings offered him an opportunity, and sure enough he became a full-time Red Wing for the last couple months of the season. As luck (fate, perseverance, etc.) would have it, Detroit went on to win the Stanley Cup, and Justin stood on the ice in Pittsburgh, hoisting hockey’s greatest prize (see photo) above his head.
So how then can you aim any higher for a lifelong career? Whether in business or in sports, seasoned professionals will wait, and wait and wait some more, to reach the pinnacle of their profession. It is these select few that can have the greatest impact on their coworkers and teammates. Inevitably, your peers will look to those who have tried and succeeded. Justin, in turn of winning the Stanley Cup, brought the trophy back to Michigan State for a charity event to raise money for the Cure Kids Cancer initiative. What better use of success than turning it to benefit others?
If you are within this select minority, remember that your success likely came as a result of the elders who gave you the opportunity to succeed. Be mindful of this throughout your career as new generations of professionals seek your help.
I was asked last year to be a part of a three-person team to travel to Wisconsin and handle the public relations efforts for the world unveiling of the Martin Jetpack (yes, a real jetpack). With the business-ripened saavyness of my two coworkers, Brian Ellis and Joe Horvath, the launch was featured on CNN and The Today Show, along with receiving several million online hits and media stories.
Sadly, the internship ended and I was left with two options - the first of which was to retire. The second, and slightly more realistic however, was to learn from the successes and business approach of my seasoned coworkers and translate those lessons into future endeavors.
Bottom line: whether you are a rookie or a tenured professional, build from both success and failure, learn from your predecessors and then be sure to offer others as many opportunities to succeed as what has been given to you.
Reaching Success: Building from Inspiration and Failure by Steve Mnich on Tonic.com
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