Getting On The List
I just attended an event where Edie Hilliard gave a short talk on her experience in the radio industry. We all want to be “on the list.” It almost doesn’t matter which one—it could be anything from a VIP list for an event to an approved vendor or being the go-to guy. A certain amount of luck is always in play, but I believe that when you are educated and prepared, opportunities arise. If you approach life inquisitive like a student, teachers come.
I’ve never been one for top ten lists, and these ideas sound really simple…but they may help you branch out a little more than what you are doing today -
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Mentor: inside and outside of your business
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Network: genuinely help others; and it doesn’t matter what business you or they are in
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Volunteer: take on projects that demonstrate your leadership to others
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Join a group that matches your interests
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Attend neighborhood councils, get active in your community
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Join a book club
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Read your local newspaper, and get inspired to get involved in your community
… if all those fail, get a dog - you can even connect with people at the local dog park.
What activities have you participated in that have helped you Do Well By Doing Good?
September 15th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I knew Edie Hilliard for years. We worked together and occasionally attended the same social events. She talks a good game, but in action she was someone who clearly and instantly sorted those she considered her underlings at work into 2 categories: the ones who kowtowed to her, and the ones she disliked and actively tormented at every opportunity. The latter was by far the larger group. One of her “favorites” even confided that “Edie likes to surround herself with insecure men.” That’s fine! The part that wasn’t so admirable was the environment she created and fostered for the majority. They were relieved, even joyful, when she retired. So don’t worship at the altar of Edie too slavishly. How unfortunate that the people whose lives she had a negative impact on, even destroyed in some senses, can’t follow her appearances with the “rest of the story.”
September 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Yes, I too have worked for CEOs that were viewed externally as pundits and positive influences while internally there was a trail of broken bodies.
However, that doesn’t take away from the value of the words. I had to get to a point where I saw them as two separate people: one person who struggled with themselves and therefore took it out on others and another who embodied a lot of valuable knowledge.
Working for those personality types is challenging and while I don’t know your experience or Edie personally, only you decide what to take from that experience.