Have Work Ethic, Will Travel featuring Lisa Chan, Petronas ICT

Summary

The speaker reflects on their early consulting career, highlighting the importance of competence and work ethic. Despite starting with mundane tasks like PowerPoint formatting, they stress that these foundational qualities set the stage for professional success. Competence is not tied to age, and work ethic is crucial in gaining respect in any role. Good habits like punctuality, reliability, and effective communication are timeless values that help individuals rise, regardless of their position. The speaker emphasizes that cultivating these habits early on is essential for long-term success, especially in leadership roles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting a career in consulting can involve a lot of mundane tasks, like PowerPoint formatting, which can feel discouraging for new graduates.
• 😀 Competency and work ethic are the two main factors that help establish a strong professional foundation, regardless of age.
• 😀 Building competence early on in your career helps you avoid being questioned about your abilities, even if you're young and starting out.
• 😀 Work ethic is crucial; arriving late, not keeping promises, or showing a lack of respect in meetings will undermine your credibility, regardless of your competence.
• 😀 Both competency and work ethic need to be nurtured and cultivated, they aren’t inherent traits but habits that can be developed over time.
• 😀 Leadership and good professional behavior can be learned by emulating the behaviors of mentors and leaders in your organization.
• 😀 Traits like punctuality, communication, and meeting deadlines are classic values that remain relevant and appreciated across industries, from large corporations to startups.
• 😀 A strong work ethic is necessary to get work done effectively, and a lack of it can lead to frustration and hinder progress in the workplace.
• 😀 In the workplace, being reliable—such as showing up on time and meeting deadlines—is essential for establishing trust and successfully completing tasks.
• 😀 Developing good habits early in your career is crucial, as it's much harder to correct bad work habits later on, especially as you rise in your career.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial expectation when starting their career in consulting?

The speaker initially expected to be in a position where they would be giving directions to clients, playing the role of an all-important consultant.

What tasks did the speaker end up doing during the first six months of their consulting career?

During the first six months, the speaker mainly focused on PowerPoint tasks, specifically coloring and formatting slides, without being involved in content creation.

How did the speaker feel about the initial tasks they were assigned?

The speaker found the work to be mundane, repetitive, and frustrating, feeling that it might derail their career in consulting.

What are the two main factors that the speaker believes form the foundation of a professional career?

The two main factors are competency and work ethic.

How does competency relate to age in the workplace, according to the speaker?

Competency is not strictly tied to age. One can be competent and excel at their job regardless of their age, as long as they focus on building their skills.

What role does work ethic play in professional success?

Work ethic is crucial; showing up late, failing to meet commitments, or being unprofessional can diminish one's credibility, even if they are good at their job.

What happens if someone lacks competence or a good work ethic?

If someone lacks either competency or a good work ethic, their performance will likely be questioned, and these habits are difficult to change over time.

Does the speaker believe leadership qualities are innate or something that can be developed?

The speaker believes that leadership qualities are not innate but something that can be cultivated and nurtured over time.

How do leadership traits and good behaviors develop in an organization?

Leadership traits and good behaviors are often inherited by emulating the leaders and mentors that one looks up to in an organization.

What does the speaker think about classic professional values such as punctuality and keeping commitments?

The speaker believes that values like punctuality, meeting deadlines, and good communication are timeless and essential in any organization, whether it's a large corporation or a startup.

Why is work ethic considered critical for getting work done effectively?

Work ethic is essential because a lack of it can make it very difficult to rely on someone for basic tasks, such as showing up on time for meetings, which can significantly hinder progress and collaboration.