In order to grow, you need to let go
Many years ago, as a young Product Manager, I was lucky enough to be given some great advice. I was thinking about life after my first job and I had my sights set on a role in a big Ad Agency. I was looking for the silver bullet, how do I get the perfect job, and how fast can I get it? I had some great connections at the time and one of them gave me a copy of “The 20 Key Principles of Account Management” written by Bill Philips, Chairman of Ogilvy and Mather from 1982 – 1988. It was a gift.
Gold is gold, no matter how long you keep it
I still have that paper today and I have referred to it many times. I credit the advice it contains as instrumental in the growth of my career and my ability to help others. One of the principles Bill spoke of was the need to let go of certain things if you want to grow to a new level. Just as you let go of old milestones when climbing to new heights, letting go of ‘stuff’ enables you to free yourself up to focus on the things that help you grow. Simple and obvious, but difficult if we don’t have a clear view of what is possible.
Try soaring with some eagles
In every growth period of my life I am able to point to people whose wisdom I have been able to soak up to subsequently help me grow to another level. A little piece of other people’s gold every now and then can go a long way, provided we always recognise our source. I know that the company you keep has a massive impact on how much you learn and how high you can soar. It’s fun to fly with these people and it’s a practice worth keeping.
Be inspired by the company you keep
Choose your eagles carefully. Recently I had the pleasure of spending a week with over 100 brilliant thinkers at Thought Leaders Business School in Sydney. This amazing institution is the brain-child of Matt Church and Peter Cook, partners at Thought Leaders Global, and it brings together some amazing people from many walks of life. I was blessed to see the world from a different perspective once again – what a joy to be able to fly with them.
Rod Buchecker
Rod Buchecker is an expert in helping people find the clarity they need in order to be successful.