What the Funeral of George H.W. Bush Teaches Us About Our Careers

A career is an interesting, ever-evolving story. We enter into our first jobs in our early years with a certain unearned gravitas that our youth and bravado will teach the "old guard" some new tricks as we are ready to take the forefront of the new regime. This is not a millennial issue or a baby-boomer issue or age related at all. It is a beautifully direct and yet necessary passage of the torch as the next generation prepares to lead. It's true in politics - but also in the ebb and flow of any industry.

With all due modesty and individual marvel at the unexpected success I have obtained due to my uncanny ability to hire the most incredible team at Legacy MedSearch, there are several themes that resonated during all of President Bush's remembrances that have career analogies.

1. Integrity Counts: President George H.W. Bush (aka "41") almost died - twice- in his youth. The first time was as a teenager from a staph infection and the second time was as an enlistee where President Bush nearly died as a young pilot during WW2. He embodied the sacrifice of others, several of who became his closest life-long friends. Post-war, his friend Alan Simpson spoke about President Bush and his ability to be "real" during unreal times in our history. He was devoted to his wife, Barbara during their 73 year marriage and embodied the epitome of unconditional love to his family. He said "I love you" to many and he last words he would ever say on Earth were “I love you, too.”

Take away: In a world where integrity, honesty and loyalty seem to be in short supply, be true to those who have helped you along the way. To companies who have spent time and money teaching and training. To families and friends who though, imperfect, have your best interests at heart.

"Be grateful to those who went before you in your career and gracious to those to whom you will give back to."***

1. Mentoring Counts: President Bush was the "fire starter" for many careers, both political and industry oriented. According to many sources, George H.W. Bush was proud of the accomplishments of the dozens of people he poured himself into during his long career. During his eulogy, son George Bush remarked "To his very last days, Dad’s life was instructive. As he aged, he taught us how to grow with dignity, humor, and kindness. And when the good Lord finally called, how to meet him with courage and with the joy of the promise of what lies ahead. He recognized that serving others enriched the giver’s soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light. In victory, he shared credit; when he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is a part of living a full life, but taught us never to be defined by failure."

Take away: If you are an up and coming career-oriented person, find a STRONG Mentor who values you. Support them. And acknowledge you loyalty to their process. If you are at a point in life where you have the ability to give back, give back graciously and unconditionally to someone you can only hope will surpass what success you have had in your career.

3. Life-long Learning Counts. President Bush went sky-diving at 90 and vowed to live every day to it's fullest. He tried and failed and tried again throughout his life. In your career, it's important to fail -and fail often (but hopefully not the same way). I am proud of the fact that I fail more than the average person in my job - but my "at-bats" are pretty remarkable. As I approach the tail end of "middle-age" I find myself learning at a greater velocity than ever. I look at President Bush vast range of diverse people he surrounded himself with and his eclectic and interesting choices of interests. A pastor years ago said something to me that has stuck for 30+ years: "When you stop learning, you start dying." I learn from my colleagues, candidates and clients every single day. Just last week, I met with a CEO in Virginia and learned about a new technology that intrigued me. From a team-mate, I learned a new metric from measuring lost business and from my favorite 4 year old, Ella Grace, I learned the importance of perseverance. She will be a great salesperson one day...

But the biggest takeaway I got from watching the coverage of the funeral last night was President Bush's unshakable optimism and zest for life. In your career, look to align yourself with people who are audacious enough to be a tiny bit unrealistically optimistic (Excepting the finance people, of course). Look for a company where people are happy and energized and excited to come to work most days. Look for a leader who encourages calculated risk, knowing that with risk comes some failure. And finally, like President Bush, work hard when you are 'on the clock' but take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor with people who make it all worthwhile.

***Thank you Arnie Lasota for starting my career in the medical device industry in 1984. ...when I was 12.

Paula Rutledge is the grateful President of Legacy MedSearch, a global recruitment firm working exclusively in medical device.