I am always thinking about the quality of my thoughts and trying to make connections between different periods of my life and various activities. Research has shown that reflection can significantly improve performance compared to additional practice or doing nothing at all. Taking time to think about what you have learned is more beneficial than simply continuing to practice without reflection. This is partly why I insisted many years ago on incorporating "No Meeting Fridays" in the company I lead today. The goal was to help people catch up and, more importantly, carve out time to reflect.

Reflection helps individuals articulate and codify their experiences, enhancing their ability to learn from them. This process involves two key components:

• Articulation: Thinking about what was required and one's performance.
• Codification: Developing guidelines for better task execution.

These concepts were highlighted in a study by Di Stefano, Gino, Pisano, and Staats, which emphasizes the importance of integrating reflection into learning processes to optimize outcomes.

What prompted this particular reflection was a conversation I had with a college student who asked about my process for choosing a major in college and whether I see any connections in that process to my professional journey and what insights I would share with him.

The answer was yes, absolutely I see connections between those early years and today, and I can say that emphatically because I think about my thinking and my experiences. Let me give you a few reflections on how I chose my initial major, social work, and some lessons or insights that might be helpful to you.

My Journey in Choosing a Major

1. Realizing Limitations and Exploring Interests: Initially, I wanted to enter Physical Therapy (PT) school. However, my shaky academic start made this goal unattainable. I had to pivot and explore various classes to find subjects that genuinely interested me. My focus wasn’t on future earning potential but on subjects that would keep my attention and drive me to complete my degree successfully. We all have limitations, know what yours are, and work around them.
2. Discovering Social Work: An introductory social work class captured my interest. Despite the lack of diversity in the School of Social Work, the subject matter and supportive professors felt right to me. This experience led me to consider various facets of social work, such as working in hospitals, jails, government, foster care, management, group work, therapy, group homes, or schools. Think broadly before becoming laser-focused. Later, as you move up, advancement will necessitate that you think broadly again.
3. Narrowing Down and Specializing: It was crucial to narrow down my focus to align with courses that would prepare me for my chosen field. I decided against a clinical setting due to its proximity to my own trauma. Instead, I aimed for broader impact and leadership roles, which I believed, as an added benefit, would offer better long-term earning potential. Broader leadership involved understanding organizational dynamics, connecting dots, managing people, operations, budgets, strategy, marketing communications, and governance. Even this broad thinking was narrow; it was within a specific industry.
4. Facing Challenges and Differentiation: I found statistics and quantitative subjects challenging but crucial for seeing patterns and drawing conclusions. Understanding financial management in social work set me apart, as most social workers didn’t gravitate toward these areas. My unique background and determination to turn personal trauma into capability helped me differentiate myself from my peers. This focus and differentiation led me to a consulting career, even when others thought it was an unconventional path for a social work graduate. Throughout my career, I have signed up for challenging assignments, and this is where I've seen the most growth. If I join a board, I am on the finance and audit committee, not because I am a starter in this area, but because this challenges me the most, stretches my thinking the most, provides me with insight into the business the most, and when you leverage it with intentional thinking across sectors and higher-than-average emotional intelligence, it’s differentiation.
5. Playing My Own Game: Ultimately, I learned to play my own game. Finding the right courses and leveraging life experiences to turn pain into capability were key to my success. Did you read what I said? Turn your pain and your gain into a capability! Turning a capability into a competitive advantage involves leveraging your unique skill, insight, knowledge, work ethic, relentless focus, and experience to outperform others, thereby providing greater value and achieving superior personal or professional outcomes.

Bonus - How This Relates to Career Advancement

If you look carefully, you will see the principles from above reflected in these…

• Launching Projects and Facing Challenges: Just as my initial shaky academic start in college led to a change in direction, you might find yourself starting a project or a career path that doesn’t go as planned. It's crucial to recognize this early and pivot accordingly.
• Repositioning and Gaining Support: Think strategically about how to reposition your projects to appeal to the core motivations of your team or stakeholders. Consider the “what’s in it for me” factor that drives people’s engagement and support.
• Negotiation and Collaboration: Enrolling the right leaders and gaining their support is vital. Negotiate project details and be willing to make adjustments to align with the interests and capabilities of those responsible for implementation. This collaboration can significantly increase the chances of success.
• Appreciating Vulnerability: Encourage an environment where vulnerability is valued. When someone admits they don’t know how to do something, it opens the door for collaboration and problem-solving. This honesty is crucial for building a supportive and effective team.
• Focusing on the Enterprise: Always keep the bigger picture in mind. Remind yourself and your team that success is about the enterprise as a whole. If the enterprise wins, everyone benefits. This mindset can help you navigate and reposition projects effectively.

Final Thought

In reflecting on my journey from choosing a major in college to navigating a successful career, I've realized the power of thoughtful introspection and strategic decision-making. By turning limitations into strengths and leveraging unique experiences, I've learned that true growth comes from embracing challenges and continuously adapting. I encourage you to take time to reflect on your own path, make strategic adjustments, and turn your capabilities into competitive advantages. Remember, the key to success is playing your own game and aligning your personal goals with the broader vision of your endeavors.