Adam Braun on Landing Your Dream Job

Have you ever wanted to work for someone so bad that you would’ve done anything to make it happen? Then I’ve got some great advice to share with you.

My good friend and NYT bestselling author Adam Braun was back on The School of Greatness to talk about his incredible new venture, MissionU. He and his team are redefining higher education and helping their students get the jobs of their dreams.

When I asked Adam how he’s doing this, he shared with me three incredible lessons for anyone looking to land their big break. I was so impressed that I knew I had to share them with you.

You’re Either an Intern, Employee, or Executive

Adam believes that there are three types of people in the world, and they each have a different mindset when they walk into a new job.

The intern immediately asks the manager, “What can I do to help?”

The employee goes a bit further. They say, “I have a few skills, and I have some ideas about how I can help the business, but what do you think I should do?”

The executive does something else entirely. They say, “I have studied the business in depth and have identified three ways it can improve. I’ve started three projects on my own to solve those problems, and I have three more project ideas too.”

Adam’s advice: be the executive.

Have a Mindset of Opportunity

Over the past decade of running the for-purpose company Pencils of Promise, Adam has noticed that people have one of two mindsets when it comes to work.

The first is a mindset of scarcity. A person with this mindset walks into work each day waiting to be told what to do. They view it as their job to follow instructions.

The second is a mindset of opportunity. A person with this mindset makes decisions. They view it as their job to spot opportunities and take advantage. They see themselves as a catalyst for change.

Adam says that the most valuable people he’s worked with over the years all have a mindset of opportunity. They go into work with a gameplan of exactly how they can provide value. They know what the business needs and how they can use their skills to help.

Then they get to work.

Better to Ask for Forgiveness Than Denial

When he was a 19-year-old intern, Adam heard some of the best business advice he’s ever received.

He was asking his boss whether or not he should move forward with a new project. Adam’s boss turned around and simply said:

“If you’re asking for permission, you’re asking for denial. Go do it.”

Adam has taken that lesson to heart ever since.

We spent a lot of the remaining episode discussing the major issues with the current higher education system, and then Adam outlined the brilliant solution he has been working on for the past couple of years.

I am so inspired by what Adam has created with this new solution. For anyone looking to land a job with Facebook, Warby Parker, Bonobos, or other incredible companies, then I think you’ll be interested too.

Listen to Adam Braun’s exciting new alternative to college at https://lewishowes.com/podcast/e-adam-braun/.