30 Lessons Over 30 Years

I recently celebrated my 30th work anniversary at the same company. It has been a glorious and amazing journey of personal and professional growth. Starting off as a part-time employee out of college whose main job seemed to be making photocopies, I was able to work in various roles across the company including being a member of the executive leadership team.
 
It was suggested by our marketing group that a great topic for my blog would be to reflect back on lessons from the last 30 years and share 30 lessons I learned during that time. I am honored to be able to share these with you.

1. Take pride in your job. It won’t be your last.
2. Star in your role because at some point, your role will be the star.
3. Be better today than you were yesterday.
4. Embrace change.
5. Never be too big to pick up someone else’s crap. (Literally and figuratively… don’t ask)
6. When you give someone your heart, you may not get it back. (Best part of my 30 years was meeting my beautiful and amazing wife there)
7. When you are carrying a couple of beers for you and your future wife and then the owner of the company thanks YOU for bringing HIM drinks… give him the beers! (He didn’t actually take them, but as a young employee, it gave everyone a good laugh!)
8. Have the Courage to Challenge. (The 1st Pillar of Impact)
9. Expect Excellence from yourself and others. (The 2nd Pillar of Impact)
10. Empower Others. (The 3rd Pillar of Impact)
11. Share your experience with others.
12. Listen and learn from those who came before you.
13. Be a person that is easy to lead.
14. A tough conversation is better than an avoided conversation.
15. Leaders lead.
16. Snooker on Fridays with coworkers is a great way to strengthen relationships and build memories. (And maybe solve some of the world's problems!)
17. Never underestimate the ability of scientists and engineers to win a basketball game.
18. Work can be and should be fun. Make it enjoyable. Do your part.
19. Is what you are saying helpful or harmful? Even when you trying to help, it may not be the right thing at the right time.
20. You are not always right.
21. Find a mentor.
22. Be someone's mentor.
23. Trust your people.
24. Explain the why.
25. Transparency and vulnerability go a long way.
26. Sometimes being right is more harmful than being wrong. Doesn’t have to be winners and losers and allowing someone to save face so that they can turn it towards the future can be powerful.
27. Be the change that is needed.
28. Just because you don’t want to do something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.
29. That big chair isn’t always as comfortable as it looks.  
30. Build a strong team so that you never play alone. So that you have someone there to pick you up when you fall. To speak truth when it needs to be said. To be the shoulder for you to lean on. To be the rock in the storm. 

 
I hope my coworkers are up for the challenge and journey to make it to their own 30-year anniversary. For those of you who work elsewhere, I wish you the best in your own endeavors and enjoying the pursuit of your own anniversaries.
 
Instead of jumping to another job to grow, take the chance to extend your growth with the company that has committed to you. Take the chance of committing to being part of something bigger than you. Take a chance to help build and be part of a legacy. 
 
I am not my job, and my job is not me. It is part of what has shaped me and my family, just as my family and life has helped shape my job. It’s not just a job, it’s a choice to pursue a life of purpose. To show my kids that being an active participant in your team isn’t only for high school sports, but for your future life as well. I hope these lessons over the last 30 years will be passed on to others to help guide the next generation Beyond Today.

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