The Secret to Success
Tim Wenzel, CPP
Global Security Executive | Thought Leader & Author on Leadership, Kindness & Risk Management | Trusted Advisor | International Keynote Speaker | Veteran
This has been a different kind of year for me for many reasons. Between talking to kids entering college, giving a motivational talk at a private academy or just speaking with others in the industry; there has been a recurring question. “Looking back on your career, what was your secret?”
It’s kind of funny because I’m still asking people this question. The more I thought about it, the more I’ve settled in on an answer. My Dad used to tell me:
“Whatever it is that you do, be useful.”
Being useful is more important than being particularly good at something. There are many who are good at something yet unemployed. Others are really really good at something but “didn’t make it.”
Being useful is a skill. It’s the ability to see what is going on around you and meeting a need. The willingness to do what needs to be done rather than trying to get the “good” projects. Whether you’re in your first job, trying to build a career, or on your way to stardom; usefulness is a trait that will be recognized.
The ability to be useful cuts through the various languages of business, tech, government, security… and translates directly to value.
The Useful person will rarely be asked, “what did you do today?” Usefulness is industry agnostic and always in demand. It keeps you happier because a sense of accomplishment is ever present, like when your boss thanks you for doing that thing – that everyone else was avoiding.
Above all, when you become adept at finding ways to be useful, you recognize uselessness. The things that consume hours but produce nothing. When you’re creating goals or roadmaps, you will be the person who sees which details are irrelevant; a waste of time, resources, and energy.
Isn’t this the function of management? To align teams and organizations around the things that matter?
Automation may delete entire industries, but problems will always need to be solved, people will always seek good advice, and companies will always rely on useful people to drive innovation.
As you go about your day, consider your major, or maybe even the path your life should begin; ask yourself: Is this useful? Am I making a difference to anyone else? How well am I serving?
Lastly, I reject the idea of “making it.” In an ever-changing world like ours, I’m not sure you can. But, there are endless ways to provide utility, so your career never has to peak!
This is my perspective. What do you think?
Specialized Security and Protection, Investigations, Training & Consulting
6 年Excellent points Tim.? Being "well rounded" as a professional is the key my Dad always said....
Director of RSP Healthcare Services at Online Business Systems - Risk, Security & Privacy
6 年Great article Tim! This quote could stand on its own "Automation may delete entire industries, but problems will always need to be solved, people will always seek good advice, and companies will always rely on useful people to drive innovation." A few things I've tried to do are to be accountable, understand which tasks are important, and put your best effort into everything you do, even if it's making coffee. Unless you have great coffee at your fingertips like you do. Then always outsource.
Head of Global Security & Business Resilience @ A.P. Moller - Maersk | Master's in Criminology
6 年For me it has been about two things; 1) Getting things done (which seems a bit similar to what you are talking about) by focusing on only one or maybe two things at the time and 2) Being relevant. The latter is about seeing “what needs to be done?” and “whats best for the enterprise?”, and then coming up with a relevant action plan for execution. In my years in security risk management I have met many who focus more on what they think the enterprise needs (CCTV, none travel to HE locations etc.) and little about what their workplace needs. Such takes away their relevance for executives and senior leadership, and they end up being the “corporate cop” and the irrelevant security manager easy to cut when head-counts are considered.
Great read - my take would be: Hard work, taking risks and luck!