In the Room Where it Happens: The Art of Getting Lucky

I often think about the concept of luck. About how is that one person “has all the luck” while the other seems to have a black cloud over them. So, whether you are just beginning your career or deep into your journey, you're probably wondering how you can accelerate your success, rise through the ranks, and make your mark. One of the most common misconceptions I hear is the idea that success is about luck. Many of the most successful people in history are often described as “lucky.” But I’m here to tell you that luck is more about preparation, attitude, and opportunity than sheer randomness.?

First, let’s talk about preparation. In my experience, the “luckiest” people I’ve known are the ones who are relentlessly prepared. They anticipate problems before they arise. They don’t wait for an opportunity to be handed to them; they position themselves in such a way that when the right moment comes, they’re ready to act. The intersection of opportunity and preparation is often where luck seems to appear. As a professional, that means learning everything you can about your role, your team, and your industry. Being prepared doesn't just mean knowing the technical details of your job. It means understanding the bigger picture, recognizing trends, and being ready to seize any opportunity that comes your way.

Next is attitude. Luck favors the bold. This means having a mindset that is open to risk and willing to take calculated chances. If you’re afraid of failure, you’ll miss opportunities. I’ve often found that those who are willing to try something new—even if they might fail—are the ones who end up succeeding in the long run. They learn from every misstep, and because they’re constantly in motion, they’re always creating more chances for things to go their way.

Think of it like this: if you only try one thing, you’ve got one shot at getting lucky. But if you try 10 things, even if 8 of them fail, you’ve still got two successes that move you forward. Having the right attitude means being willing to make those eight mistakes because you know that failure is part of the process. It’s not personal—it’s just feedback.

Now, let’s talk about opportunity. Opportunities often look like hard work, and they rarely come neatly packaged. Most people miss them because they’re too busy looking for something easier or more obvious. One of the most important things you can do as a young manager is to develop the ability to recognize opportunity where others don’t. That might mean taking on the challenging project no one else wants, or volunteering for a cross-functional assignment outside your comfort zone. It could be as simple as getting to know someone in another department who you think might be going places. Often, luck comes from being in the right place at the right time—but you can’t just wait for that moment. You must be constantly moving, seeking, and opening doors for yourself.

The “art of getting lucky” is about being relentless in your preparation, courageous in your attitude, and open to opportunity. The more prepared you are, the more risks you take, and the more opportunities you pursue, the luckier you will become. Don’t wait for luck to come to you. Go out and create it. Every day, in every decision, there’s a chance for you to tilt the odds in your favor. Do that, and you’ll find that “luck” follows you wherever you go.