People are lazy. Be the reliable one.
I’ve been trying to answer the question, “What’s one thing I wish I would’ve known 15 years ago?” and I keep struggling with it .
I think it’s because of the “one” part of the question. There’s been so many nuances and gray areas in 15 years that it feels daunting to pick just one.
I have, though, pin-pointed one consistent reason I’ve been able to go from junior account exec to management to director level to VP level in my advertising, brand strategy and marketing career:
Do what you say you’re gonna do every time. Especially when it seems others folks forgot it was supposed to get done.
Three reasons:
Reliability is waaaay more rare that you think. We’re all busy. Scattered. Distracted. Be the person who is reliable, consistently.
At our core people are lazy. If people you work with don’t have to chase down updates, requests or tasks it makes their life easier.
It makes more people want to work with you. They put you on better projects, include you new ideas, champion you when it’s time for a promotion or new opportunity.
All of this has been true when I was an intern and still true in my current senior role.
Be known as reliable and it’ll take you places you want to be.