Mark S. Murphy | Providence Business News editor
In my nearly four decades as a journalist, I have experienced success and failure, thankfully not in equal measure.
Here are four takeaways that create the foundation for nearly all success.
n Listen. Whether it is from older peers or colleagues just starting in their careers, an outside perspective is a good thing. It doesn’t mean that you have to listen to all advice – too many cooks and all that – but hearing someone’s observations of what you are doing and how you are doing it can start you down the road to improvement.
n Learn. Every day is a chance to learn, whether from something you hear or read, or just from your specific experience. Improve yourself, whether through formal education or by asking your colleagues or supervisors for help. The moment you stop learning, you should find a new job.
n Teach. This can be done at any stage in your career. Early on, you can teach and learn at the same time with a colleague in a similar position. But it is especially important to teach the longer you have been in your position. Think of it as giving the best opportunity for those you manage to succeed. It’s not about being pedantic, no matter how seductive that approach may be. It’s about sharing to make all of you better.
n Team. Standout performance is rarely about individual achievement. So, while the previous points focus on individual behavior, it is all in service of creating, nurturing and leading a high-performing team.