Earlier this week I met with all of World Business Chicago’s, mHUB ’s, and Chicago Chamber of Commerce’ summer interns, comprising a group of highly engaged 20 young people. They all seem to enjoy their summer experience and time in Chicago. When we started talking about how to think about their professional future and where to potentially work after completing their college, I shared three perspectives:
1. Crack the code of corporate values: When we read mission, purpose, and value statements from organizations and companies, we must dig deeper to understand what their leadership truly focuses on. Most for-profit corporations prioritize three key stake holders in a specific order: Shareholders/Owners, Customers, Employees. Meanwhile, two other crucial stakeholders, the community wherein the firm operates and the global environment, often receive merely lip service. So, before joining any organizations, really understand which stake holders the organization truly puts in the center of their work and which order of priority, then make sure your values align with theirs.
2. Don’t abdicate your emotional sovereignty: I believe that everyone must balance the passion and dedication required to excel at any job, with the emotional independence that doesn’t tie one’s self-worth to the performance perspective of a firm. Only you know your true intrinsic value, no organizations or firm can. Cultivating emotional independence requires daily hard work but is ultimately the key to balance one’s passion for work with one’s own mental health.
3. Work/Life balance – to each their own: I have two perspectives on the intense discussions regarding the work/life balance narrative: First, if one loves their job and gets the full respect and positive feedback during work, then it’s much easier to work 50 or 60 hours per week without feeling too stressed or experiencing burn out. In this case, you will experience a great work/life balance due to your love for your work and positive reinforcement at work. Secondly, hard work is required to be promoted and to get the qualifications needed to become a CEO or an independent entrepreneur one day. That is just a fact. But it’s a choice, too, to have your own strong work/life balance by just putting the basic required amount of effort into a job, but then don’t expect a steep positive career trajectory.
I told the interns that I am known for strong opinions but that doesn’t make them right or true. Ultimately, there is no magic recipe for professional success and personal happiness, it’s a very personal and individual journey.
Chairman of Stocks🏦
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