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- Wise Words -
Luck. ​The Career Multiplier 
​*writer opted for anonymity 

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I believe that luck is a deciding factor in every successful career or venture. I am not alone in thinking this and it’s hardly a new thought, the Romans way, way back in 293 BC had the God Fortuna, the god of luck, of good fortune. In this column I want to talk about how chance encounters and lucky decisions by others have been the thing that’s helped me grow professionally. Sometimes, even, the decisions of others that have gone against me have turned out to be right for me, once of course, the future reveals itself!
 
This is not to say that if we want to be successful, we can just rest on our laurels. We need to work hard, be talented at what we do, manage our network and the rest of it, to allow us to take advantage of our lucky breaks. That said if we are doing all the right things and still pushing at a closed door, it can just be that our timing is wrong. That the Universe is, temporarily, against us. My goal in writing this short column is to take some of the pressure off us as we deal with today’s uncertainties where so much is out of our control.
 
Here are some areas where Fortuna has been kind to me:
​
Becoming a People Manager: Like many people who want to “get ahead”, becoming a people manager was something that I wanted to do. I wanted to lead a team, have more impact on a business and grow professionally. Just because I wanted it, didn’t mean it happened.
I had been trying to become a team manager with direct reports for at least 12 months. I had interviewed for roles and been told that while I had performed well, as we were in the 2008 financial crisis hiring managers didn’t want to “take a bet” on someone who had never managed before. It was a slog of interview rejection and a disheartening one at that. It felt like I was pushing against a closed door.
Fortuna was on my side though. A former manager invited me to a Holiday party and guess what? I randomly ran into another former manager who asked what I was looking for in my next role and when I told him, he responded by saying “I have a role reporting to me, managing a team and you can be based in NYC or stay in Washington DC. Do you want it?”. That was the extent of the interview.
Of course, I leapt at the opportunity and this led to a fabulous time in New York City where I grew my career by managing larger and larger teams. It was hard work and I put in the hours. As a new team-lead I am sure I made mistakes, but I was lucky to have a great manager who saw my potential and helped develop me. My first shot at being a manager, despite feeling I was late to it (33 years-old) allowed me to show that I could be an effective leader and only 3.5 years later I was a Senior Vice President at a major media company.
If it hadn’t been for a chance, social, encounter with a former manager who trusted my skill set and supported me as I moved into a leadership role, I am not sure when I would have had the chance to show that I could lead and all the opportunities that succeeding at it gave me.
 
Getting out of dodge: Careers, like life, are up and down. At one point in my time in NYC I experienced some bad luck, in that an exciting tech business I had joined was put up for sale in my second week there. The sale brought some opportunity to me as I was involved in meetings with the acquiring company's leadership team. It was also difficult as the new owners backtracked on the statements and assurances they had made to us during the sale process around the leadership team being "great".
A few weeks after we were sold, my manager who ran the company was let go, despite him being the person who knew the business, was supported by his team and a strong leader. In addition, the promises around greater financial backing for the company were also not being kept with multiple members of my team being laid off, sometimes with no prior notice to me or their managers.
It was a worrying time. I guess you may think I was unlucky (I certainly did!). I knew I needed to get out as I had no trust in the new owners and thought that I was also likely to be “disappeared” in the near future.
As luck would have it, I was attending a conference out in California and a senior leader who I had worked with five years earlier was on the same flight. Of course, he was at the front of the plane and I was back in Economy so I sent him an email: “You go any jobs?”.
“Yes. I need someone like you to run two teams I need to fix. Let’s talk when we land.”
Over a glass of wine in the February desert sun, we discussed the opportunity, his needs for someone coming on board and we agreed that there was a good fit. I would love to say that there were no follow-up interviews as there had been back in 2008, when I got lucky. There were and they ultimately led to a job offer.
Had I not been on the same flight, thought to email the former leader, had he not just started in a new role that required new personnel to support him, had it not been insert x,y and z then I would not have got out of a sinking position and into a truly great company. The company where I landed allowed me to have the most rewarding professional experiences of my career working with a fabulous bunch of people at a great tech business where, for the first time in my life, my stock options were actually worth something! I feel truly lucky to have had the experience.
 
When being unlucky turned out being really lucky: I have also been fortunate to have been rescued from unlucky situations by having my plans foiled. Back in the olden, Pre-Covid days I was working for a fabulous New York City-based start-up as a remote employee in London. I was seeking a path back to the dynamism of the US business world and away from the conservatism of the UK tech space (maybe a column on that at a later point!). The CEO and Founder wanted me to run a key team.
Of course, I said yes! I was exceptionally happy. It was a job I knew I could do at a company that I respected and wanted to be involved in.
Unfortunately, the President of the company who would have been my manager didn’t want to hire someone with my skillset and experience. At the time it was exceptionally disappointing for my wife and I.
By March, the fact we had not moved turned out to be a blessing in disguise. With Covid-19 raging and the economy under stress, much of the company was laid off. Had I moved back home to NYC, I would have been unemployed and living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. Panicking.
 
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So, if you are “ahead” and “crushing it” like I was (for a time – I am in a Covid-lull right now), I hope that you are able to recognize that it is the combination of your talents as well as luck that got you “there”. More importantly, if you are in a tight spot now or in the future, I hope that you don’t beat yourself up as, in the words of Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune, “Don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s.”


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More Wise Words...

Achieve: Focus on Results
​
Achieve: Leading from the Start
Achieve: Small is BIG
Achieve: Take Action
Career Management: Annual Review. A "How To"
Career Management: Annual Review. As Career Plan
Career Management: Choosing a Mentor
Career Management: Careers Happen
Career Management: Career Journey
Career Management: Mentorship Explained
​
Career Management: Post Graduate Degrees
Career Management: Promotion Frustration 
Career Management: Moving up by moving out
Career Management: Selecting Your Company
Career Management: Understand Yourself
Finances: Retirement Saving (1)
Finances: Retirement Saving (2)
Hindsight: Balance the short- with the long-term
​Hindsight: Embrace learning and your manager
Hindsight: Focus at Work
Hindsight: Millennial Reflections
Hindsight: Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
​Hindsight: Take Advice Sparingly
Hindsight: Take a Career Mulligan
​
Hindsight: Transition from College
Hindsight: Winning Nicely
Hindsight: Work hard, network, be honest. Have fun too!
Managing Up: Manage Up to Move Up
Managing Up: Manager As Partner
Managing Up: New Manager
Managing Up: Questions for your manager
Managing Up: Secret Skills for Managing Up
​
People & Teamwork: Be A Giver
​
People & Teamwork: LinkedIn As Networking
People & Teamwork: Networking Hacks
People & Teamwork: Networking as a Relationship
People & Teamwork: Networking Simplified
People & Teamwork: Teamwork As Leadership
Speedbumps: Chutes & Ladders
​
Speedbumps: Laid Off? Take A Breath
Speedbumps: Layoffs. The Afterlife
Speedbumps: Owning Mistakes
Work Life: Work Culture. America vs. UK
Work Life: Ask Why
Work Life: Be Yourself. Be Genuine
​
Work Life: Browned Out?
Work Life: Business Travel Guide
Work Life: Calendar Management
Work Life: Difficult Situations
Work Life: Focus on Fiyah!
​Work Life: Ghosting
​
Work Life: Help the Early Stage Professionals
Work Life: International Remote Working
Work Life: Pre-Vacation Checklist
Work Life: Smartphones & The Office
​Work Life: Start-Up Glamor
Work Life: Stress Management
Work Life: Take a Walk
​
Work Life: They Quit
Work Life: Unlimited Vacation
Work Life: Welcome the Newbies
Work Life: "Work" from Home

Crushing It @ Work

What Time Should I Start? 
What If I am Running Late? 
Taking Vacation
Sick Days 
Working Outside Office Hours
​
How to prepare for One/Ones
Making Meetings on Time 
Business Presentations 
Social Media, Personal Email and Hanging Out on the Web
Give it Six to Nine Months to Feel @Home
Be Your-professional-self
Staying Positive

Money Talk

The Basics
Retirement Savings Guide

Job Search Must Do's

Resume
The Application Letter 
​
The Free Conundrum: Should You Take an Unpaid Internship?
Informational Interviews 
Taking a Shortcut: Using Your Network 
Dealing with a Low GPA
​Responding to Recruiters
The Job Interview
Interview Questions
Questions You Should Ask
Simulations 
Interviews with Other Applicants
Dealing with References
Negotiating Your Salary
How to Resign (if you already have a job)
​
The First Week
You Don't Get the Job: Getting Feedback
​Keeping Motivated Through the Search

USA Today Columns by Fergus Mellon

How to get started on LinkedIn: Do this, not that
Warning: Avoid smartphone shame at work.  Keep them out of sight
To succeed, be a Giver in the workplace, not a Taker
4 ghoulish personality pitfalls to steer clear of at the office
​
How to coach today's not so entitled Millennials as they join the rat race

Crushing IT

Money

Library

WISE WORDS

Bureaucracy

Copyright © 2016 - 2020
  • Home
  • Getting a job
    • Must Do's - Resume
    • Must Do's - Application Letter
    • Must Do's - Internships
    • Groundwork - Informational Interviews
    • Groundwork - Your Network
    • Groundwork - GPA Issues
    • Groundwork - Recruiters
    • Dealing with Rejection - Feedback
    • Dealing with Rejection - Keeping Motivated
    • Closing the Deal - The Interview
    • Closing the Deal - Interview Q's
    • Closing the Deal - Your Questions
    • Closing the Deal - Simulations
    • Closing the Deal - Group Interviews
    • Closing the Deal - References
    • Signing On - Salary Negotiation
    • Signing On - How to Resign
    • Signing On - First Week
  • Crushing It
    • The Hours - What Time Should I Start
    • The Hours - What If I Am Running Late?
    • The Hours - Taking Vacation
    • The Hours - Sick Days
    • The Hours - Working Outside Office Hours
    • Professional Skills - One/Ones
    • Professional Skills- Making Meetings on Time
    • Professional Skills - Business Presentations
    • Professional Skills - Social Media, Personal Email
    • A Level Head - Feeling @ Home
    • A Level Head - Be YourProfessionalSelf
    • A Level Head- Staying Positive
  • Wise Words
    • Achieve - Focus on the Results
    • Achieve - Leading from the Start
    • Achieve - Showcase Your Work
    • Achieve - Small is BIG
    • Achieve - Take Action
    • Achieve - Your New Job. A Plan
    • Career Management - Annual Review
    • Career Management - Annual Review Feedback Meeting
    • Career Management - Annual Review: How to Guide
    • Career Management - Career Contentment
    • Career Management - Careers Happen
    • Career Management - Career Journey
    • Career Management - Choosing a Mentor
    • Career Management - Discomfort Is Good
    • Career Management - Freelancing and Employment Gaps
    • Career Management - Mentally Healthy Choices
    • Career Management - Mentorship Explained
    • Career Management - Post Graduate Degrees
    • Career Management - Promotion Frustration
    • Career Management - Promotions. Move out to move up
    • Career Management - Selecting Your Company
    • Career Management - Understand Yourself
    • Finances - Preparing for a Downturn
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (1)
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (2)
    • Hindsight - Balance the Short- with Long -term
    • Hindsight - Embrace Learning & Your Manager
    • Hindsight - Focus at Work
    • Hindsight - Millennial Reflections
    • Hindsight - Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
    • Hindsight - Take a Career Mulligan
    • Hindsight - Take Advice Sparingly
    • Hindsight - Transition from College
    • Hindsight - Winning Nicely
    • Hindsight - Work Hard. Be Honest. Have Fun
    • Managing Up - Manager as Partner
    • Managing Up - Manage Up to Move Up
    • Managing Up - Mastering Your Manager
    • Managing Up - New Manager
    • Managing Up - Questions For Your Manager
    • Managing Up - Secret Skills of Managing Up
    • Managing Up - Yes Power
    • People & Teamwork - Be a Giver
    • People & Teamwork - First Time Manager
    • People & Teamwork - LinkedIn as Networking
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Hacks
    • People & Teamwork - Networking as Relationship
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Simplified
    • People & Teamwork - Reputations Travel
    • People & Teamwork - Teamwork as Leadership
    • Sliding Doors - Decision Paths
    • Sliding Doors - Success Requires Luck
    • Speed Bumps - Chutes & Ladders
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs & Survivors Guilt
    • Speed Bumps - Laid Off? Take a Breath
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs. The After Life
    • Speed Bumps - Owning Mistakes
    • Work Life - American Work Culture
    • Work Life - Ask Why
    • Work Life - Be Yourself. Be Genuine
    • Work Life - Browned Out?
    • Work Life - Business Travel Guide
    • Work Life - Calendar Management
    • Work Life - Change is Certain
    • Work Life - Difficult Situations
    • Worklife - Focus on Fiyah
    • Work Life - Ghosting
    • Work Life - Help the Early Stage Professionals
    • Work Life- International Remote Working
    • Work Life - In the Zoom
    • Work Life - Mom Skills
    • Work Life - Office As A Stage
    • Work Life - Office Ghouls
    • Work Life - Pre Vacation Checklist
    • Work Life - Returning to Work
    • Work Life - Smartphones & The Office
    • Work Life - Speak Up
    • Work Life - Stage Fright
    • Work Life - Startup Glamour
    • Work Life - Stress Management
    • Work Life - Take A Walk
    • Work Life - Tasks We Hate
    • Work Life - They Quit
    • Work Life - Unlimited Vacation
    • Worklife - Vacation Overview
    • Work Life - Welcome the Newbies
    • Work Life - "Work" From Home
  • Money
    • Money - The Basics
    • Money - Saving for Retirement
    • Money - Retirement Saving
  • Library
    • Book Reviews
    • Webinar Hub
    • USA Today Columns
    • Buy Early Stage Professional
    • Bureaucracy
  • Help Center
    • Annual Reviews
    • Career Speed Bumps
    • Managing Up
    • Promotions & Career Planning
    • Stress Management