Part I: Shape Your Mindset
1. Want More
Want more out of your career and life, or else they will stagnate. Desire brings momentum to overcome inertia. But enjoy each phase.
2. Aim Outside Your League
Aim outside your league; don’t aspire to the normal and expected. Go big!
3. Always Be WIP
Always Be WIP. Shift your mindset and attitude to one of continuous learning; always be a WIP (work-in-progress, never a finished product). Otherwise, you become stale and miss out on potential exciting opportunities.
4. Say “Yes”
Say “yes” to stretch assignments, challenges, or opportunities more often; it will more than likely bring positive outcomes on a personal and/or professional level.
5. Be Adaptable
Be adaptable to succeed in different environments, wherever those opportunities take you. Expect change because that comes with “more,” you aren’t seeking more of the same.
Part II: Build Your Brand
6. Know Yourself
Know yourself inside-out with good accuracy; what defines you and how others perceive you. Only then can you learn to manage yourself and shape yourself into the leader you want to become.
7. Stick to Your Values
Stick to your values and let them guide your decision-making. First you must be in tune with your value set.
8. Build Expertise
Build expertise in a few key topics that will differentiate you in your field; be known for mastering such topic(s). Ensure you have an adequate level of performance on other relevant topics in your field; avoid glaring weaknesses that distract from your strength.
9. Define Your Brand
Bring the three elements above into a cohesive and brief brand statement conveying your value-proposition. Invest in building and maintaining that brand, and letting it evolve in a conscious and strategic manner to the next-level You.
Part III: Be the Driver
10. Increase Power and Influence
Know the power dynamics of the world you operate in to be more effective in your role. Learn to be influential to move the right solutions forward.
11. Construct Your Village
Because it does take one to see you through each goal line. Your career is not an individual sport, so build the right relationships and network. Use the influence and relationships you build to help others grow as well.
12. Grab the Wheel
Forget passively relying on others to make it happen for you. They won’t do it or they might take you down a path inconsistent with your values, aspirations, brand, etc. Steering your career is one responsibility you can’t delegate.
13. Learn from All Leaders
Learn from all leaders around you: the good, the bad, the ugly. They all are teaching you how to be and how not to be. If one had a negative impact on you, understand how to be the opposite with your followers and peers. Invest in your emotional intelligence.