I knew my first presentation to the Board of Directors would be pivotal. I had only been with the company for a month as the new VP of Engineering, and this would be my introduction—an opportunity to share my vision for where our technology could go and how we could get there. It was the type of moment that comes with any new opportunity and brings with it both opportunity and risk.
Fortunately, when I took the job, I did so with confidence. I had the skills, knowledge, ability, mindset, and experience to do the job well. At the same time, I understood that the greatest results come when you pair capability with collaboration. I was ready to do the work, and I was equally ready to seek new insights, perspectives, and support that would take my game to the next level.
Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
When I took the job, I wanted to stand on the shoulders of giants — lean on those who have gone before me. Exceptional Difference™ (XD) offered a few programs that piqued my interest, and having worked with the company extensively, I trusted that if anyone could help, it would be XD. In particular, their Mentoring Subscription offering enabled me to have some one-on-one coaching sessions where they guided me on best-in-class success factors. Their First 100 Days offering helped me lay out a plan to come up to speed while delivering value, building relationships, and setting the stage for growth. It helped me create a roadmap that would become the blueprint for taking our engineering capabilities to the next level.
Could I have done the job without help from XD? Yes. Did I do the job much better because of the help from XD? Absolutely! In fact, at the end of the presentation to the Board of Directors, their feedback was an emphatic, “This is some next world stuff!” Could I have delivered a successful presentation on my own? Yes. Did the help from XD make a positive, lasting impact? Absolutely!
Not My First Rodeo
I learned early on that the smartest way to take on a new challenge is to bring a coach or mentor into the journey. When I decided running my first marathon was a good idea, I sought guidance from someone who had already finished twenty. When I signed up for my first full distance triathlon, I trained under a coach who had completed ten of them. And when I set out to write my first book, I didn’t fly solo—I hired an award-winning author and writing coach to guide me through the process.
A Power Move
Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a power move. Too often we hold back, afraid to look uncertain or unprepared. We avoid being vulnerable. We pretend we can figure everything out on our own.
But the truth? The fastest way to rise is to stand on the shoulders of giants. Seek out people who have gone where you want to go. Find mentors — technical mentors, career mentors, and personal mentors. Surround yourself with people who make you better. And invest in yourself. That’s how you future-proof your career — and your life.
Next Steps
Contact us at info@exceptionaldifference.com or visit www.exceptionaldifference.com to learn more about our offerings and how we can help you and your team learn, grow, and become the best version of yourself.
Now that I’ve joined Exceptional Difference, I’m even more excited about our full suite of offerings that will enable others to elevate their game. Mentoring Subscription and First 100 Days are just a few examples of courses that will help you not just survive but thrive in any role.
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