(Image Credit: Ken Chenault, New York Times)
I was a Product Management intern at American Express, and found myself sitting directly to the left of the company’s beloved CEO Ken Chenault. He was at the head of the table. I’d gotten to the luncheon early and asked where Ken was sitting. I positioned myself right next to him.
Around the table were a small group of interns who’d been selected to lunch with Ken. My selection was a sure sign I would be offered a full-time PM role after my internship (I did!).
When it came time for Q&A, I asked Ken, “When did you envision yourself becoming CEO of American Express and how did you get there?” Ken smiled a disarming smile and said, “Only when I was on the doorstep did I think ‘I’m going to be CEO of this company.’”
He went on to give the most important career advice I’ve ever received. Focus on crushing your current role. Focus on driving results where you are. Lean in and do amazing work.
Ken’s view was that promotion and success are results of the journey, and the journey is about showing you can deliver in your current role. Only then should you look to the next role.
This advice has guided me my entire career. It’s helped me be successful. I have passed it on to my direct reports and my coachees. It is not always easy - as we reach and aspire and strive to get that promotion. But the advice proves out time and again - the first step in advancing in your career is to demonstrate mastery of your current role. If you’re not mastering your role, then focus on what you need to do there, not on what you need to do to get promoted. Drive results. Get it done. Keep getting it done. Then you’re ready to consider the next step up the ladder.
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