I loved the part of going to the end of the hallway and talking with HR. These conversations gave you real tools to direct your focus and energy and defined the person you would become. And perhaps writing on Substack may have taken you back to being the youngest person in the room. Here is the real truth: you are doing it and doing it well! Great piece.
Thank you, Patrick. I appreciate that. The guy at the end of the hall probably has no idea how many decisions he influenced just by making time for a young manager with questions. The funny part is that Substack often feels a lot like 1995 did. Different room, same uncertainty.
The reason this spoke to me was that it reminded me of my early days in a leadership role (at 22 years old), and the people all around me were so much older. The phrase fake it until you make it was my life for a while. So, the guy at the end of the hallway became your leadership lifeline, and he did not even know it.
The interesting twist is that competence isn't always what keeps people out of new rooms. Sometimes it's the identity built around being competent that becomes the thing they're most afraid to lose.
When you're a beginner, there's very little reputation to protect. As an expert, you've spent years building an identity around knowing what you're doing.
I think that's why so many people stay in familiar rooms longer than they need to. The risk isn't looking inexperienced. It's letting go of the version of yourself that everyone already recognizes.
JP, while I had more of those credentials early in my career than you did (not the big deal you are brought up to think they are), so I didn't feel like maybe I shouldn't speak up, I too also wasn't afraid to say what I thought was right. I'm still not.
It's great that wise HR person was willing to mentor you. I'd be afraid HR was going to use what I told them against me (and yes, I've had that happen).
I like the analogy between your career learnings and your Substack learnings. We're on the platform about the same amount of time. It seems when you get on it that you think others likely have all the answers, but I've found you have to pick and choose who you listen to carefully. Ultimately you have to march to your own beat while you put yourself in the best position for others who appreciate your voice to find you as you seek them out.
Thank you, Melanie. I laughed about everyone seeming to have all the answers when you first get here. I remember looking around thinking I had shown up late to a meeting where everybody else got the playbook. It took me a while to realize half the room was wondering the same thing.
The longer I'm here, the more I appreciate the people who just show up as themselves.
I love your story. And love your story telling even more! Interesting and captivating twists and turns. Some parts really resonated with me. “It was letting go of being the guy with the answers.” Ah, that struck a chord. Having made career pivots twice in the last two decades, I know that feeling. It was scary. It was uncomfortable. But deep down, I knew it was right move.
Thank you Kelly. It means a lot to hear you enjoyed both the story and the way I told it. Having made two career pivots, I imagine that line felt pretty familiar. There’s a certain vulnerability that comes with stepping into a room where all the things you’ve spent years getting good at don’t automatically transfer.
Amazing article, JP!!!
Thanks Jess!
I loved the part of going to the end of the hallway and talking with HR. These conversations gave you real tools to direct your focus and energy and defined the person you would become. And perhaps writing on Substack may have taken you back to being the youngest person in the room. Here is the real truth: you are doing it and doing it well! Great piece.
Thank you, Patrick. I appreciate that. The guy at the end of the hall probably has no idea how many decisions he influenced just by making time for a young manager with questions. The funny part is that Substack often feels a lot like 1995 did. Different room, same uncertainty.
Yes, absolutely, JP.
The reason this spoke to me was that it reminded me of my early days in a leadership role (at 22 years old), and the people all around me were so much older. The phrase fake it until you make it was my life for a while. So, the guy at the end of the hallway became your leadership lifeline, and he did not even know it.
Great article.
The interesting twist is that competence isn't always what keeps people out of new rooms. Sometimes it's the identity built around being competent that becomes the thing they're most afraid to lose.
You're right, Frank. Giving up beginner status is easy when you're young. Giving up expert status is a different conversation.
Exactly.
When you're a beginner, there's very little reputation to protect. As an expert, you've spent years building an identity around knowing what you're doing.
I think that's why so many people stay in familiar rooms longer than they need to. The risk isn't looking inexperienced. It's letting go of the version of yourself that everyone already recognizes.
JP, while I had more of those credentials early in my career than you did (not the big deal you are brought up to think they are), so I didn't feel like maybe I shouldn't speak up, I too also wasn't afraid to say what I thought was right. I'm still not.
It's great that wise HR person was willing to mentor you. I'd be afraid HR was going to use what I told them against me (and yes, I've had that happen).
I like the analogy between your career learnings and your Substack learnings. We're on the platform about the same amount of time. It seems when you get on it that you think others likely have all the answers, but I've found you have to pick and choose who you listen to carefully. Ultimately you have to march to your own beat while you put yourself in the best position for others who appreciate your voice to find you as you seek them out.
I'm glad you're here and we connected!
Thank you, Melanie. I laughed about everyone seeming to have all the answers when you first get here. I remember looking around thinking I had shown up late to a meeting where everybody else got the playbook. It took me a while to realize half the room was wondering the same thing.
The longer I'm here, the more I appreciate the people who just show up as themselves.
I'm glad we connected, too!
I love your story. And love your story telling even more! Interesting and captivating twists and turns. Some parts really resonated with me. “It was letting go of being the guy with the answers.” Ah, that struck a chord. Having made career pivots twice in the last two decades, I know that feeling. It was scary. It was uncomfortable. But deep down, I knew it was right move.
Thank you Kelly. It means a lot to hear you enjoyed both the story and the way I told it. Having made two career pivots, I imagine that line felt pretty familiar. There’s a certain vulnerability that comes with stepping into a room where all the things you’ve spent years getting good at don’t automatically transfer.
Execution will always beat perfection. Just start the thing!
That’s it Craig!!
They took a chance on you JP! And I’m sure that’s something that’s not anything they regret. And it’s something that gets us to believe in ourselves!🩷
Thank you, Florence. At the time, I was convinced they were taking a bigger risk than they probably thought they were. :)
Great read! I love the reframing. Starting something new is always scary. And growing in public even scarier. But you’re doing it anyway. We all are.