Something vital to the advancement of your career

Posted: June 25, 2014 | Categories: Self-Improvement

This afternoon I was talking to a friend about the advancement of her career. She is entering a new profession, and has the qualities and attitude to be a great success. As we were talking, she asked if there was any advice I would give as she looked to plunge forth to her new horizon. I immediately replied, “Make sure the person you report directly to is your advocate and cheerleader.” That makes sense, doesn’t it?  Unfortunately, it is not always so.

Occasionally, a boss or supervisor can feel threatened when someone of exceptional talent comes along. For example, Mozart is one of the greatest composers of all time. His work was pure genius. Another composer of his time was not happy. His name was Antonio Salieri.  He wanted to be the best composer of his time, and he was being eclipsed by Mozart. As a result, his jealousy was acted out as jealousy usually is: He tried to discredit Mozart and did everything he could to stop him or hurt him. He could have been a mentor, but instead, his actions lead to Mozart’s untimely death. What if Mozart has been inspired by a true mentor instead?

Here is an example on the other side: When Irving Berlin met George Gershwin, Gershwin was a struggling composer making $35 per week. Berlin offered Gershwin three times the salary he was getting. Then he advised, “But don’t take the job.  If you do, you may develop into a second-rate Berlin rather than a first-rate Gershwin” Irving Berlin saw the gifts that Gershwin had, and he became his strongest advocates and cheerleader.

In our path to success, we will need the help of many people along the way. Our job is to make sure that each person we count on is “waving the flag” for us. It is quite likely that sometime along the way we will run in to an insecure person who feels threatened by our success. Run from them. They are a poison to our progress. We need to start building our own cheering section!

 

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