Early in my career, I was desperate to learn. But most of the people I looked up to weren’t interested in coaching. They hoarded knowledge as power.
So I started asking questions elsewhere... peers, other departments, anyone willing to teach. That network became my biggest advantage.
Harvard studies found people who asked 9+ questions in 15 mins were rated more likeable than those who asked 4 or fewer.
Curiosity > expertise.
Wrote about this idea here:
www.mistakesweremade.xyz/seek-first-t...
Ask one more question. It helps.
Throwback Thursday - “It’s not your boss’s job to develop your career.”
Your boss isn’t lying awake at night worrying about your next promotion. That’s not neglect, it’s reality.
👉 Read it here: www.mistakesweremade.xyz/its-not-your...
Years ago I walked out of a customer meeting feeling pretty confident. I had delivered what I thought was a clean, technically perfect answer.
In the car park afterwards, the sales rep said “You didn’t actually understand the question.”
Full story here:
👉 www.mistakesweremade.xyz/seek-first-t...
I walked past that same display on the way to work, thinking the same thing! That said, I stopped a few times to look at the machines with the same enthusiasm as those gawking at the cars at Nissan Gallery in Ginza.
Growth comes from doing the work, being vulnerable and making mistakes.
For a new or aspiring leader (or anyone seeking career growth), that might mean volunteering for challenging projects, even if you don’t have all the answers. It worked for the Beatles .
“As your light grows brighter, your shadow grows longer.” Rhody joined me on Mistakes Were Made to unpack what that really means as a leader. We discussed blind spots, over-helping, leadership loneliness, and how to build trust without compromising your edge.
www.mistakesweremade.xyz/beware-the-s...
Here’s the truth: it’s not your boss’s job to develop your career.
Their job is to open doors.
Your job is to walk through them and bring others with you.
If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for your next opportunity, this one’s for you.
Read it here 👉
In one three-month run in 1961, they played 92 consecutive nights, totalling over 500 hours of live music. At one point, they performed 104 straight nights without a single day off. Kinda sounds like an early startup, doesn’t it? www.mistakesweremade.xyz/find-your-ha...
Everyone wants the breakthrough moment.
Nobody wants the grind that makes it possible.
The Beatles didn’t get great overnight; they earned it playing 8-hour sets in Hamburg bars, night after night, until the mistakes became music.
👉 www.mistakesweremade.xyz/find-your-ha...
One-on-ones are often undervalued. Done well, they build trust, clarity and momentum.
I’ve shared a short guide and free 1:1 template to help you keep them focused on connection and growth.
mistakesweremade.xyz/the-ultimate-1-1-guide-building-trust-growth-and-clarity
