What You Do Isn’t Who You Are
Walt Bettinger
Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors at The Charles Schwab Corporation - Retired Chief Executive Officer (2008-2024)
As we recently welcomed our 2014 class of summer interns into Schwab, and as my eldest children approach the start of their own careers, it got me thinking about the daunting choices and questions our next generation faces as it begins to enter the professional world. Whenever I’m asked by students and young professionals for advice, my answers center on a few key themes that I truly believe can apply to all of us, whether we’re just starting out or well into our careers.
Know who you are. My late father used to remind me, “Many things in this world are for sale, but reputations are not.” When your career is on the line or the pressure is truly on at work, remind yourself that your career is what you DO; it’s not who you ARE. Know what you stand for and where your priorities lie; and while that may put what you do at risk in certain situations, your integrity and reputation will remain intact. This can also be applied to the buzz phrase, “work/life balance,” which isn’t really about balance, it’s about prioritization. Know what your priorities are based on who you are (not what you do), and the way forward will become clearer.
Do what you love. Sounds simple, but life is really too short to stay in a job that makes you miserable. Find a place you believe in to spend those working hours. Make sure your personal values line up with those of your employer. Trying to decide if a certain company is a good fit? Look up their CEO and read his or her recent statements. Read about an issue the company faced and how the CEO, the board, and the top leadership handled it. If you find yourself agreeing with their statements and (more importantly) their actions, that’s a good sign.
Do right by your customers or clients. Most of our jobs, no matter the industry, are about providing a good or service for someone else and doing so graciously and honestly. Or at least they ought to be. The focus should be about honoring every person we come across, not just those who can do something for us. If that’s not true about the environment you are working in, see lesson #2, above, about the importance of values. By the way, when you’re a leader, you’re in service to your employees, too. Show your appreciation for their hard work. The true role of a leader is to serve others.
For those of you who have graduated and are entering or seeking out the first jobs of your career, congratulations! And enjoy the experience – there is so much to learn from it. And for those of you who are just toe-dipping for the summer – in an internship or part-time work – use that opportunity wisely to help you figure out who you are as a person, what your career passion is, and whether the career path you are exploring aligns with both.
0714-4272
Unit Manager Slitter Operations
9 年I recently wrote my oldest daughter a letter that she will read this coming up weekend at confirmation camp. My advice to her were like this article to be true to herself and be certain she is honest to who she is as a person no matter what life throws at her. I told her she will make mistakes along the way throughout life as we all do. But as each day comes she needs to not dwell on what happened yesterday to learn from her mistakes and her successes in life and allow learning to become stronger and more confident as each day passes. I told her everyone in our world can look in their past and have regret, but looking back and having regret or resentment is not the way to succeed in this journey we call life. To keep her head up and be true to herself and be the best version of her that she can be everyday. If she can do this she is destined to do great things in life. So I too agree with the article what you do is not who you are. And everyone should be true to themselves.
RETIRED
10 年So true...thanks for sharing!
SAA/Accounts Payable Specialist at CONCORD-CARLISLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
10 年A wise mentor educated me early on in my career that your integrity is the only thing you truly control in your life, and to always maintain it - because once you lose it- you can no longer get it back. I've always lived by that credo and it has served me well over the years - when faced with challenges in the workplace.
Sr. Territory Sales Manager at Boston Scientific
10 年Simply & Truly Amazing....?
It is your concern when your neighbor’s wall is on fire
10 年We are what we do.