Being in Good Company
This is my first post on Escape Velocity, and I’m thrilled to be here. Why? Because I am in such good company. The other writers on this blog are people I have worked with and respected for years, and to have my writing published alongside theirs is an honor.
It has occurred to me that a lot of the activities I choose to engage in as part of my independent career and workplace consulting business are motivated by the desire to be in good company. Participation in this blog is just one example. Another is the Business Roundtable Springboard Project committee I was asked to join last year.
The purpose of the committee was to advise the US Department of Labor on strategies for increasing the effectiveness and competitiveness of American college graduates hitting the workforce. As a member, I would have the opportunity to share my views on this subject alongside those of Fortune 500 CEOs and well-known political leaders. There was no question that I would say yes.
Being in such good company allowed me to learn at an accelerated pace, and it also enhanced my professional profile and reputation. I also quickly recognized that being among such talented and influential individuals would allow me to do important work more quickly and efficiently. Case in point: The Springboard Project’s first deliverable, JobSTART 101, a free, 90 minute online course dedicated to providing college students and recent graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the workplace, was conceived in late 2009 and launched this week, not even a year later.
Whether you work in an established organization or are building your own business, placing yourself in good company is one of the smartest moves you can make. It may not pay off immediately, but if you add as much value as you can and are patient, the people with whom you develop relationships can take you to heights you never dreamed.
