From Oprah to Richard Branson, the Biggest Names in Business Share How They Made it

The end of the year often is a time to look back at what we’ve accomplished and a time to evaluate what's next in line for the New Year. While we might be happy and fulfilled in our careers and truly love what we do, we continue to constantly seek advice to further grow in our professional lives. Whether we’re fresh out of college, senior executives, confident entrepreneurs or at the top of our game, it's always hard to avoid comparisons or wonder if we could--or should--be doing any better.

It's hard to acknowledge it, but even the most renowned and recognizable names in business had to start somewhere. They had the same concerns regarding the present and future of our endeavors: To go to college or to drop out. To focus on the numbers game or to follow our passion. To give it some time or to expect results right away.

Experienced, knowledgeable, thoughtful professionals may lead by example and inspire us mere mortals to become more successful at what we do. However, it’s rare for us to get access to their daily routines so we only end up assuming what the Bransons of the world would do.

Not anymore; We now have insights into how they really made it--and in their own words.

In 2015, LinkedIn had the exceptional chance of meeting extraordinary leaders for unique conversations. Here is where you'll find top-notch advice from the crème de la crème. What did Howard Schultz ’s mom tell him about self-esteem? What was Oprah ’s goal before she became, well, Oprah? Did you know Shark Tank’s Daymond John wanted a career in hip-hop and that Maria Bartiromo wanted to be a backup singer? How did the real Olivia Pope find her way to Washington? What does Jack Welch --the world’s No. 1 overachiever--have to say about dealing with your boss?

How did they do it? Below is the crazy good career advice from people who have made it, big time.

Jack Welch, Former Chairman & CEO at GE

“Over-deliver.?Always. Never do what your boss asked to do.?That’s the minimum requirement.?Make your boss smarter every day. Whether you're gonna stay in that company, or go to another company.?Keep learning, and keep making your environment smarter.?Keep learning, learning, learning.”

Howard Schultz, CEO & Chairman at Starbucks

“If I walk the streets of Canarsie and the projects today it's almost impossible to go from there to here.?But it happened.”... “My mother drilled into me that, "You are going to college."?So there was no way I wasn't going to college in some way.?And whether I was gonna get that scholarship to Northern Michigan or go to a city school in New York, I was going to college.?Second, she instilled in all of us this level of self-esteem that our station in life was not gonna define us.?That the promise of America and the American dream was and is real.?And I believe that today.”?

Oprah Winfrey, CEO at OWN

“I didn't have a vision beyond being successful on network television.?It wasn't until I was literally on television, had my own show, made the decision that I was going to own the show, meaning I would take the risk if it worked or it didn't work that I thought about, what does this really mean?”

?Richard Branson, Founder at Virgin Group

“Spend your life doing what you really enjoy. Life goes quite quickly. Make sure you’re doing what satisfies you and what gives you pleasure.”

Judy Smith, Founder and President at Smith & Company

“Somebody told me that I argued well and so I thought it was a compliment. And they said: you should try law school. I’m thinking, ok. I got a paralegal degree first, that’s a 6 month program. And decided I wanted to go to law school. It’s been an interesting combination of law and communications. It’s been extremely helpful.”...“I would like to say that I had some strategy and a plan. But honestly, it wasn’t (SIC).”

?Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and Co-Star of Shark Tank

“If you don’t set those goals, you let people set goals for you. You let people set those goals that you can't get that education, you can't change the world, you're never going to be anybody, you're going to embarrass yourself, you're going to embarrass us. They set those goals for you. If you don’t set those goals, who is setting the goal for you?”

?Mary Barra, CEO at General Motors

“Well, if you really wanna aspire to be the CEO of General Motors, first of all, you need to pursue math and science.?So you need to follow a S.T.E.M. profession, just 'cause there's so much technology in the vehicle.?Whatever you do with it, you've gotta understand it. I think is a core.”

Meg Whitman, CEO at Hewlett Packard Enterprise

“The first thing I say is go to the best school that you can get into. For college or graduate school, if you have the opportunity that fits your career plans, go to the best school you can go to and sometimes you just have to figure out how to pay for it later. I'd say that's super important.”

Tony Robbins, Life & Business Strategist

“It's three-dimensional chess.?And unless you are constantly striving to be ahead of that path and find a way to add more value, you're gonna get eaten up.?I mean, what is it??You know, you got four out of 100 businesses that make it after ten years.?You know, 96% fail.?If you're gonna have an advantage, you needed to say, "Well, what is it I wanna do?"

For more career advice check out Florencia's other recaps:

Career Advice 2014:?Career A The Crazy Good Career Advice You Must Know Before the End of the Year

Career Advice 2016:?The Greatest Minds in Business and Entertainment Share Their Career Advice

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