AntGalvin’s Blog

Just started Richard Branson’s business book “Screw it, Lets do it”. I recently read his autobiography “Losing my virginity”, several hundred pages in a bearable style, but a great story. The problem I discovered 23 pages into with “Screw it, lets do it” is that a lot of it is a rehash of his biography. And its not just setting the scene, I flicked forward to the 80 page mark and he was still talking about balloons.

I’m not reading that again. I was expecting some great business advice, something to get the blood pumping, something new I could apply to my own work. What a let down, my wife suggested a new title for Branson’s book. “Screw it”.

It got me thinking, I have read a lot of these types of books at this stage. At the time of reading, I thought some were excellent. However, if the proof is in the pudding, I must be honest and admit I have never read a piece of business advice that I regularly use.

I have heard two pieces of advice though that have resonated and still do.

Don’t complain, suggest!

I received this piece of advice when about a year into working with Accenture. It came from my “Career Counsellor”, bless her. I found the Accenture experience highly frustrating to begin with, many do, it has a solid steel culture and its not for everyone.

I was frustrated and moany. I brought these moans to my “CC” and she came back with some brilliant advice. “Don’t go to your superiors with complaints, go with suggestions that address those complaints”.

It guarantees a better reception from those superior ears!

I often catch myself now when I feel a moan about to erupt – Instead of getting all negative about it, what can be done about it?

You’ll like what your good at.

This came from a guest lecturer we had for Strategic Management, the fourth year of commerce, UCC, 1996. he was American, in his late sixties and I am fairly sure his name was Donoghue. A really excellent lecturer – very enjoyable lectures. (I remember he exposed me as a pseudo-socialist by proposing a future that I assumed everyone would agree to and put their hand up for. No they didn’t , just two of us. Good going in the middle of a Commerce class of 60).

He warned us that we would be off to work a year or two later and at first, for many of us, we would find ourselves in jobs we hated.

He was right.

In fact, I can’t say that I have ever occupied a role that at one time I did not curse.

What to do when you find yourself in this situation? Similar to the first piece of advice, flip the situation on its head. Instead of hating the work and letting the situation slide until something breaks (you or the job) – Work harder. Get Better. Be the best at the job.

It was his experience that of all the people he worked with, the people who most often admitted to liking their jobs, were the people who were recognised as being the best at those jobs.

Its tough advice to follow. But its a positive approach for all-too-common negative situations.

And if it doesn’t work, the you know you are right to hate that job. Sewerage tank cleaning isn’t for everyone I suppose.

Screw Dick Branson and his mates, not one of them yet has written powerfully enough and with such clarity to get onto my exclusive list of tips.

Any additions out there? Please comment and let me know.