In our interview with PwC's Wes Bricker, he shares the advice that he gives his mentees most frequently.
"Some of the most powerful advice I've received, and now I try to offer to others, is to force that question. It's a values question. It's a personal question. It's an individual question, and not everyone wants or needs the same thing. Not everyone wants or needs the things that were important to me. For some people, maybe they just want or need a job. That's what they need in that moment in time. That can be okay, but it's forcing that question in a supportive way, in a way that says, 'I'll give you my best thinking, but let's not assume I know what you want or need.'
The second piece, assuming you want or need a career that builds one to the next. For me, the next question is what is your second step? Whatever conversation we're having about the next role at the firm or the next position within the working environment, what will that lead to? Your planning should at least take you beyond the horizon of that next experience. So if you are looking for a promotion, what does that lead to? What are the kinds of skill sets that you will be building during that next position that leads to the one that follows it?
And so, for me, as I was coming up through as an associate and then a senior associate, a manager, a senior manager, and now a partner, and then as a partner from leading engagements to overseeing a business unit and being part of our US leadership team. Each of those pieces I've arrived at because I've gotten input into what that next job requires.
But this does require calibration. If we're always looking for the next thing and not doing the job we have, that's equally a mistake. I'm going to be super clear about that. That's equally a mistake. You've got to do the job you have today and you have to do it well. Those are my three points that I generally start with."
Listen to the full episode here or wherever you get your podcasts.