Seth Godin's Advice for Early Career Success

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I hope you enjoy today's interview with Seth Godin!

You probably know Seth Godin as an esteemed business thinker, best-selling author, and world-famous blogger. But Seth also happens to possess extraordinary powers of clairvoyance, especially when it comes to predicting his own future path. Inspired by an article he read in his father’s copy of Forbes magazine, Seth declared his interest early on in becoming a “professional business speaker”—something we’d agree he’s more than lived up to. I caught up with Seth to chat about his own career?journey and what he’d say to others looking to chart their path.

Andy Molinsky:?What misconceptions do you think college students have about entering the professional world?

Seth Godin:?The biggest one is that the future will be like your past. That it's school. That you will be picked, sorted, graded, promoted, reviewed, referenced and if you do what you're told, you'll be fine. This is all a lie. The second one is that business is a selfish scam. Sometimes it is, but only if you let it. And the third one is that you should give up if you don't succeed.

Molinsky:?What advice would you give to a young professional who experiences the imposter syndrome - the fear that they are not worthy, and couldn’t possibly be qualified to do the job or task that they’re attempting to do.

Godin:?Of course you feel like you're an imposter. You are! You're trying to do something that's never been done before, trying to lead, trying to solve an interesting problem.

Molinsky:?What’s an underrated or overlooked factor you think is critical for achieving early career success?

Godin:?Do not seek early career success! Instead of trying to impress others with your title or your pay, focus on what you learn, who you help and what habits and skills you develop.

Molinsky:?What specifically about your college experience (classes, extracurricular projects, anything else) has proven to be most helpful for your eventual career success? Is there anything you didn’t necessarily anticipate being helpful, but actually has been?

Godin:?I took 50% more courses every semester than most students (it was the same price). I didn't worry at all about my grades (if you're not headed to law school, your grades are irrelevant). I co-founded one of the largest student-run businesses in the country and I failed a lot. I found the time by never going to a football game. College is a fantastic place to try out a version of the future you.