There are a couple of types of managers (yes, I’m jumping STRAIGHT to stereotypes in this one). Those that want to be better than the people who work for them and those that want their people to be better than them. I’ve been really lucky to have multiple consecutive bosses who believe in hiring people smarter than themselves. So just guess which side of this I support.
The dirty secret of college is that it doesn’t actually prepare you for the real world. You learn some basic skills such as how to keep to a schedule, do what your “bosses” tell you, work within a structure, etc. If you’re lucky you may learn some starting point for your first year of working. But if you’re like most you’re going to hit the workplace and have no idea what’s going on. Over time you’ll learn through experience and pick up what you’re really supposed to be doing.
If you’re really lucky you’ll find some people who’ve been around that are willing to take you under their wing and accelerate your education. That’s the lottery ticket. That’s the story that doesn’t come out enough.
The only way that story come to life is if enough of us choose to take it upon ourselves and just do it. Teaching isn’t part of most people’s job descriptions so it’s all about going the extra mile. Do that thing that you don’t have time for but you have to do. But don’t do it as a chore. Desire to do it. Do it with a passion. Be the education that others deserve.
Filed under: brand, culture, education
