Catalyst

1. Real Individual Growth: The Catalyst for Career Success

Career growth = Real individual growth ± Environmental aspects

Real individual growth is key. This concept emphasizes that career success is primarily driven by how much you grow as an individual professional, rather than external factors. While environmental aspects like job market conditions or industry trends can influence your career, they tend to balance out over a 40-year career span.

Focus on deserving more. Instead of fixating on getting promotions or career growth, concentrate on increasing your capabilities, skills, and knowledge. This approach aligns with the philosophy of "Tu karm kar, phal ki chinta mat kar" (Focus on the deeds, don't worry about the results) from the Bhagavad Gita.

Four core areas for growth:

• Learning model (converting time into experience)
• Personal productivity
• Career management
• Work-life interaction

2. Convert Time into Experience through TMRR

Time is not an accurate measure of experience.

TMRR model for learning. The Target, Measure, Review, and Reflect (TMRR) model is crucial for converting time into valuable experience. This process involves setting targets for activities, measuring actual performance, reviewing the results, and reflecting on what could be improved.

Reflection is critical. Adding the fourth 'R' (Reflect) to the TMR process completes the learning cycle. Reflection should focus on the question "What could I have done better?" This step helps build your experience algorithm, distinct from the company's learning process.

Build a reflection habit. To ensure consistent reflection:

• Anchor it to a daily activity (e.g., during your commute)
• Practice it for 15-30 repetitions to form a habit
• Set aside dedicated time (e.g., 15 minutes) for daily reflection

3. Maximize Learning Cycles for Exponential Growth

Experience is not gained automatically; it has to be catalysed.

Identify major learning cycles. These are significant projects or initiatives that offer transformational opportunities for both business performance and personal development. Most careers have about 4-5 major learning cycles.

Maximize learning from cycles. To extract the most value:

• Apply effective TMRR to the learning cycle
• Increase intensity of engagement and prioritize the cycle
• Broaden your lens beyond your specific role
• Strive for thought leadership, regardless of your organizational level

Complete major learning cycles. Avoid leaving a major learning cycle incomplete, even if tempted by promotions or new job opportunities. These cycles are crucial for building your experience algorithm and driving real individual growth.

4. Boost Productivity by Focusing on Your Circle of Influence

You are at your productive best when you focus on things which you have an influence on, which you can impact.

Understand the circle of influence. This concept, derived from Stephen Covey's work, distinguishes between things you can influence (inner circle) and things you're concerned about but can't influence (outer circle).

Maximize productivity through focus. Concentrate your time and energy on your circle of influence. This approach not only increases productivity but also expands your influence over time.

Avoid the circle of concern. Spending time on issues outside your influence not only wastes time but also drains energy disproportionately, affecting overall productivity.

Implement the 'rocks first' method:

• List and prioritize important tasks monthly
• Allocate 85% of your time to these priorities
• Leave 15% for unavoidable "sand" (less important tasks)
• Stick to this allocation rigorously

5. Win Where It Matters: The Second Half of Your Career

The more significant career achievements are often in the second half of the career.

Understand career dynamics. Most people succeed in the first half of their careers, but very few in the second half. The second half is where true success and significant achievements occur.

Reasons for second-half challenges:

• Narrower organizational pyramid with fewer opportunities
• Less supervision and support from bosses
• Need for fundamentally different skills compared to the first half

Prepare for second-half success. Focus on building a strong foundation in the first half of your career. This preparation is crucial for overcoming the challenges and achieving success when it matters most.

6. Foundation-Building in the First Half: Depth, Learning Cycles, and Getting Out There

Favour depth over width, complete major learning cycles and get out there when you can.

Prioritize depth over width. In the first half of your career, focus on gaining depth in a few areas rather than superficial knowledge in many. Depth builds skills and a stronger experience algorithm, which is crucial for long-term success.

Complete major learning cycles. Identify and fully engage in significant projects or initiatives that offer transformative learning opportunities. These cycles are pivotal in shaping your career trajectory.

Get out there early. Gain hands-on experience in operational roles, challenging locations, or front-line positions early in your career. This practical knowledge becomes invaluable as you progress to senior levels.

Make foundation-building decisions:

• Evaluate choices based on long-term growth potential
• Be willing to delay immediate gratification for future success
• Avoid the trap of constant comparison with peers

7. Leverage Good Bosses and Mentors as Career Catalysts

Good bosses in the foundational years make such a difference to your long-term career success.

Importance of good bosses. Effective bosses in your foundational years (first 15 years) significantly impact your long-term career success. They help establish the TMRR framework and aid in converting time into valuable experience.

Strategies to get good bosses:

• Be an excellent subordinate to attract good bosses
• Work in companies known for having a high percentage of good managers
• When you find a good boss, try to prolong working with them

Value of mentors. In a complex career landscape, mentors provide crucial guidance for making the right career decisions. Look for mentors who are:

• Senior to you in their career
• Know you well personally
• Not in your direct line of authority

8. Make Strategic Career Decisions: When to Stay and When to Quit

Long stints in one company can have a positive and exponential impact on building your experience algorithm.

Benefits of long stints. Staying with one company for an extended period allows you to learn not just from your current role but from all previous roles in the organization. This leads to exponential growth in your experience algorithm.

When to consider quitting:

• Learning has stagnated, and it's due to the organization, not you
• There's a fundamental misalignment in values and culture

Separate quit and join decisions. Make the decision to quit independent of and prior to deciding where to join next. This ensures you're not leaving for the wrong reasons.

Evaluate new opportunities based on:

• Potential for real individual growth
• Cultural fit with your values and working style
• Long-term career prospects, not just immediate gains in title or salary

9. Develop a 'Passionate Striving' Hobby to Balance Work Motivations

A 'passionate striving' hobby is the means to that.

Understand work motivations. The work motivation pyramid consists of achievement, mastery, and purpose. Effective leaders need to operate at the mastery and purpose levels, but the achievement need often becomes a "hungry beast" that's difficult to satiate.

Balance through hobbies. Develop a 'passionate striving' hobby that:

• Involves significant effort and perseverance
• Helps meet your achievement need outside of work
• You're genuinely passionate about to ensure long-term commitment

Examples of striving hobbies:

• Running marathons
• Cycling long distances
• Golf (with a focus on continuous improvement)
• Mountaineering
• Gardening with specific goals
• Committed involvement in social causes

10. Values as the Multiplicative Driver of Leadership Impact

Leadership = (Position + Content) × Values

Understand the leadership equation. Leadership impact is a function of your position, the content of your ideas, and your values. While position and content are important, values act as a multiplicative factor in generating followership and influence.

Cultivate strong values. Focus on developing and consistently demonstrating strong values. This is crucial for building trust and generating the followership necessary for driving transformational change.

Identify lodestar values. Choose a few core values where you aim to be exemplary. For example, the author focuses on the "twin Hs" of honesty and humility.

Practice pristine honesty:

• Set a high personal standard for honesty
• Do what's right, even when others are doing wrong
• Base your actions on your moral compass, not majority behavior

Cultivate humility:

• Stay grounded despite success
• Recognize your limitations and the contributions of others
• Continuously strive for self-improvement

Last updated: January 25, 2025