Unequaled

CHAPTER IIITHE THREE Ds: DETAILS, DEADLINES, AND DATA

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts…. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our attitudes.”

Charles R. Swindoll, theologian, author, and educator

Especially when you are just starting out, you can impress both your bosses and your colleagues by demonstrating that you have a positive attitude and are willing to go the extra mile, for both your firm and your clients.

When I started out in investment banking, sometimes I came across to other people as unhappy. Maybe I had a sour face or I complained and acted like I was too good for certain assignments. I quickly learned that complaining and acting like you are above the work will hold you back. Don't do it!

Luckily, someone more senior took me aside to talk to me about my entitled attitude. Her basic message was, “While we were working together, I got the sense that you were unhappy with your assignments and felt you should have been given more challenging work. I was surprised when you complained about things like X, Y, and Z. You did a fine job, but these soft skills really matter, and they can even ...