self-doubt ; and that doubtful little voice in your head is the enemy — never , ever listen to it .
What advice would you give to people struggling to find their passion ? You create passion by engaging in what you ’ re doing right now . There ’ s no magical job we “ deserve ” where we ’ ll automatically feel self-realized . I believe that capability is within you today and likely accessible in whatever job you now occupy . Don ’ t settle , but have a serious discussion with yourself about the root of your passion problem .
Matt Baker , SVP , corporate strategy / Brad Ehler , marketing analyst
Many young professionals struggle with imposter syndrome . How do you overcome self-doubt ? I try to remember three things : Our limitations are largely self-imposed and we are capable of learning and excelling at more than we think ; work every day to remove the shackles of
You ’ ve had an unorthodox career journey , from temp IT worker to SVP . How do you challenge convention ? If you ’ re going to challenge conventional wisdom , you ’ ll need to develop a deeper understanding of what informs convention in the first place . That is where you will find essential truths . I got here by showing up , squelching my self-doubt , taking risks to seize opportunities , staying true to myself and playing to my strengths .
What ’ s one quote you live by ? Dr . Martin Luther King , Jr . said , “ Everybody can be great because anybody can serve .” I believe greatness cannot be measured — it can only be acknowledged and demonstrated . We all have a calling to advance the mission of humanity by leaving the world better than we found it , and we can accomplish it by serving a purpose higher than ourselves .
If you had to start all over today , what would you do differently ? This is a tough question because I believe every failure and mistake taught me valuable lessons that fueled my personal and professional growth . A friend once told me , “ There are fortunes in your failures ,” and that mindset has helped me reframe perceived setbacks . However , if I had to start over , I would focus more on defining my long-term vision and surrounding myself with a strong personal board of directors that could advise me along the way . While it ’ s great to learn from your mistakes , some mistakes cost you time , which is our most precious commodity . I would much rather learn from the mistakes of others and get to my destination faster .
What advice would you give the next generation ? You may be the “ only one ” in the room , but you are not the only one in the moment . Learn from the past , study the present and have a vision for the future . Be a continual learner , and add value to a mission and vision greater than your own . And , as Robert Frost said , don ’ t be afraid to take the road less traveled . Your path will look different than others . Embrace it and have as much fun as possible .
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