Talk with my child - about career

I often ask myself the question, what would I say to my 2 year old boy about a particular subject or topic. I am asking myself this more and more as he grows and I see him as his own person with his story ahead of him. 

I also do this because I can’t trick myself into giving me the answer I want to hear. It gives me the perspective of giving an answer only based on love and doing the right thing for him.

Relationship with career I would say this to him:

• Have a vision on where you want to go and be clear on the steps that will get you there.

• When you are at your best, what work are you doing?

• Don’t be afraid to try new ventures and take risks, especially when you are young. You should have a clear understanding on how to minimise those risks.

• If your gut is telling you this is not for you, trust it.

• Try big and fail fast, be bold with your ambition

• Who do you want to serve not what do you want to sell

• Your career is for you, it’s not for me or your mum. Your career needs to satisfy you. We will be proud as long as you give your energy and focus to your choices 

• Never pretend to know it all, no matter how long you have been in one place. Always take the opportunity to listen and learn

• Build relationships from the start with as many people as you can. Always look at how you can add value not what you will get back, see where this leads you.

• Don’t compromise your principles and values for anything.

• Find purpose in your work that resonates with you.

• Find an environment with good people. Learn how important company culture is and then help develop it.

Don’t ever forget : “Why can’t that be you in that position”