1,000+ days

3 years ago I pivoted from consulting into a corporate career.

1,000+ days later, I have had the wonderful fortune of working on a variety of (unusual) tasks and assignments, operating as a sort of utility back, “Mr. Fix It”, internal consultant for my company. The guy that the company sends to work on the task that doesn't squarely fit into an oblong description. As a result, in 3 years I have had 3 different job titles underlying the different responsibilities: “Performance”, “Business Process Excellence and Performance”, and now “Strategy”.

Though I have specific skills in financial modelling and analysis, business process re-engineering, KPI design and strategy cascading, business analysis, report writing and presentation, looking back, I have had a fast-track experience into the ins and outs of telecom operations. I have gained an understanding and appreciation of the composite parts of a telecommunications operator and worked across the organisation: from the guy or girl at the reception to c-suite leaders, directors and shareholders. Reflecting on my 1,000+ day experience in “corporate”, I have made some observations and learnt some lessons which could be of use to fellow corporate newbies.

1. Always do more. Not only that which is required of you by way of your job title or role in the team. Your extra effort may not be acknowledged in the moment, but it matters for the task at hand (and is always seen).
2. Be a good sport. Share responsibility and praise with others when things go well, and take responsibility when things go badly.
3. Learn and understand human behaviour. Understand why people think the way that they think and why they do the things that they do. Understand the game that those around you are playing, the prize that they are playing for, and why it matters to them. Understand how, from their point of view, you contribute or take away from their game. If you can, be helpful. If you can not be actively helpful, then try to be passive or neutral from their point of view.
4. Understand your game, the prize that you are playing for, and why it matters to you. We do not all aspire for the same things. Working alongside someone else does not necessarily mean that you are both working towards the same personal goals. Be conscious about playing your own game, ensuring that your game is not zero-sum, understanding why your game and its prize matters to you, playing fair, and winning your game honourably.
5. If you are good enough, then you are old enough. Substitute age with any disadvantage or crutch that you have convinced yourself that you have for the game that you are playing. Age, experience, tenure, gender, titles, etc. matter. Getting the job done well (usually) matters more.
6. Do not be transactional. Do not operate on an “if-then” basis. Do your part because it is supposed to be done, regardless of the short-term result to you. When you need to, ask, but do not force anything. At the same time, do not be held at ransom. Remember the game that you are playing, why the game and the prize matters to you, why you must play fair, and why your win must and will only be achieved honourably. Always be willing to walk away if any of this is at risk. Do your best and leave it at that. Let nature and the Universe take its course.
7. Nobody is special. We tend to revere people and things which we believe are somehow beyond us. The truth is, anything can be learnt. With the right knowledge and application, you too can know and do things, and become a person who other people revere. If you think about it, you know that there are at least a few people who revere you yet you consider yourself ordinary. Therefore, treat everyone with respect. Anyone ‘ahead’ of you simply has more or different information than you do, or has applied it more or differently than you have. Anyone ‘behind’ you simply has less or different information than you do, or has applied it less or differently than you have.
8. Show your work. No one knows what you are doing unless you tell them. It may feel as though you are “self-promoting” and that may feel uncomfortable at first. How else will anyone know what you are doing if you do not tell them? How will anyone know why what you are doing is useful unless you show them? If you are genuinely trying to be useful and to make a contribution, then get comfortable with showing why your work is helpful to others.
9. Be yourself. There are societal rules which we must all abide in. There are corporate rules which you sign up for when you join an organisation. Other than that, you are an individual with your personal interests, hobbies and aspirations. Pursue them. You are not only the job title that you hold on behalf of your organisation. You are a son/daughter, mother/father, husband/wife, sister/brother, student, teacher, deejay, dancer, rally driver, author, singer, politician, preacher, and more. You are many things to many people. All of those things matter; honour all of them.
10. Radiate positive energy. Everyone enjoys working with a positive person. It is difficult to be a happy-go-lucky person when things are not going well at work or in your personal life, but everyone enjoys working with a positive person. As much as there is always something to complain about, there is something to be grateful for. Focus on that.

TLDR: Work hard. Play fair. Understand humans. Be aware of your why. Always bring value. When in doubt, play for the long-term. Respect everyone. Anything can be learnt. Publicise your work. Be yourself. Be positive.

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