In one of his novels, CS Lewis had a character say,
I thought we went along paths – but it seems there are no paths. The going itself is the path.
In our careers, you and I look for a career path, but we encounter an array of conflicting challenges that include:
Perplexing choices
Dizzying possibility
Uncertainty
Not enough time
Painful mistakes
These challenges overwhelm so many people on which path they could or should take. Work life often feels like an overgrown jungle crowding out the light, and they despair of any career path.
But since “the going itself is the path,” there is no obligated route you have to follow. You have the privilege and the responsibility to make intentional choices, face your fears, discern action from possibility.
When you are in the middle of this jungle, I want to help you pick up your machete and blaze a trail, despite the difficulty. That’s the only way you can know the right path.
3 Ways This Newsletter Helps You
That’s why I send you an email every week. I want to help you shape a path that only you can. When I’m writing, I’m thinking, how do I help you:
Establish personal authority by persuading leaders, peers, and customers to take action on the problems you see so that you aren’t pushed to the outside of important decisions.
Start high-impact projects and finish them well that feel large and daunting, but result in more meaningful results and greater professional responsibility.
Build a high-performing team by minimizing internal politics and miscommunication that lead to customer frustrations and interpersonal conflict.
I’ve focused on each of these areas during my 22 years as a leader in companies ranging from publicly traded to private equity-backed; from small, local enterprises to global corporations.
Every week, I’ll send you a brief post on a topic related to the above, along with 2-3 articles and quotes that are helpful to developing in your career.