#47: Evolving Skills for Growth
The skills that take us from point A to point B in our lives are often insufficient to take us on to point C. Of course, some skills that propel you from A to B will carry you toward C, but they won't carry you all the way. While this seems simple and obvious on the surface, I have overlooked some of its implications many times over the course of my career.
To get from A to B, working long and hard was enough. To get to C, I have to work smart.
To get from A to B, being effective as an individual was enough. To get to C, my role is to make a group of individuals collectively effective.
To get from A to B, I could be primarily reactive and make sure things were covered. To get to C, I have to be extremely proactive.
To get from A to B, attending meetings and playing my role was enough. To get to C, leading an effective meeting makes all the difference.
To get from A to B, gathering data and passing that up the chain was enough. To get to C, creating abstractions and stories around that data is critical.
If you want to keep growing, you must continue learning. Identify those skills and behaviors that will take you to the next milestone and have the humility to improve.