Among the hardest parts of entering the business world is recognizing that life & careers are non-linear. Advice from 100s of business execs for how to thrive in business & deal with ambiguity 👇 WHAT I MEAN BY 'NON-LINEAR' CAREERS When we are kids, life is linear - good grades 👉 graduate from school 👉get into college 👉 get a job. Careers are NOT built that way. ❗ It's far more common that a career takes twists and turns that cannot be predicted at the outset. 👉 WHAT YOU CAN DO TO THRIVE IN NON-LINEAR SITUATIONS: We can't predict the exact steps our careers will take, but we can take action to help create new opportunities. Here is what you can do - 1. 🌻 Bloom where you're planted ‣ The #1 predictor of a top performer is a history of being a top performer. 2. 🤓 Learn how to learn ‣ In a constantly changing world and across roles, you must learn new skills and adapt. 3. ☎ Grow your network ‣ The more people who know what you're capable of, the more opportunities will come your way. 🖼 PHOTO CRED: I would never have predicted that I'd start an art business, an exec search firm, and become an investor after the Marine Corps - life is non-linear! ------------------------------------- Let me know your thoughts on non-linear careers in the comments below! What advice do you have for the thousands of transitioning veterans and MBAs who will read this post about thriving in ambiguity? PS - If you like this post, you'll love the recent 2 part series on how to make big life and career decisions on my substack. Check it out at brendanaronson [dot] substack [dot] com
Kate Wood
9mo
Brendan, I agree on all fronts regarding non-linear careers and how to keep progressing during some of the valleys and u-turns. I used to view my experiences post-military in a negative light -as they did not mirror most of my peers who transitioned around the same time. However, I tried to focus on the points you made above - specifically blooming where I was planted. You will not have the ideal situation/role/company at every phase but focusing on learning and applying yourself to drive success will ensure you come away with something tangible to apply in the future that can support your career going forward.
Brendan Aronson The 3 bullet points you listed are pivotal for success. Veterans or MBA graduates need to get comfortable being uncomfortable taking on roles, duties or projects that stretch them. Ultimately this is what leads to growth. Take ownership of situations, keep the can do attitude and get things done, and become the go to person that knows how to solve problems because you’ve become the subject matter expert in the systems and/or processes in the business. Learn to train to uplift a team, make process improvements and reduce risks. These skills can carry to any industry.
Kevin Seiff
9mo
The non-linear aspect of my post-military career has been the best part of it. There's nothing that says I have to go this way or that. After the structured path I saw in the military, this has been a breath of fresh air.
C. D.
9mo
Brendan Aronson I think you hit the nail on the head! After leaving the Navy, I also started an art business (custom designed office wallpaper/glass graphics), and now I’m in cybersecurity for a streaming company. It’s a weird world, but there are endless opportunities and open doors. If you can adapt and learn, you can follow just about any path that presents itself!
Love this. Especially #2. Which is exactly what I am doing right now.
Daniel M.
9mo
As a successful recent Wharton grad, my life was nothing linear. I went from a rare mental health disorder diagnosis and a 1.7 GPA to a 3.8 GPA my final year and healthy.
Drew Epperson
9mo
As always, thank you for your post.
Director of Corporate Sales - High-End Headshots | Army Veteran
9moBrendan, loving this post. “Bloom where you’re planted.” I’ve achieved success in every position I’ve had the privilege of experiencing. My mindset is, “Why be there if you don’t want to be/have/do/experience the best?” There are so many options in life that you can choose your own adventure. In the meantime, while you’re waiting for more doors to open, bloom. Even during this transition period, I’m working on building a better LinkedIn profile, expanding my network, reading more, signing up for programs, volunteering in my community, spending quality time with my daughter, learning how to be better prepared for each new conversation and interview. This is not my first transition, and even in the current job market (tech industry), I’m more confident in myself because I know where I’ve been and what I’ve accomplished. I have more skills, knowledge, and mentors than at any other point in time. If I could achieve everything I have and come from nothing, then there’s no way l will fail when I already have so much. I love these encouraging and engaging posts. Thank you for sharing your insights.