Moving from Indiana to California was a huge career risk. I didn’t have a network of support here nor did I have any professional friends that could put in a good word for me with firms. I had to push myself beyond my comfort zone and go to networking events and mixers in order to meet new people. This was a new experience, especially for someone like me who tends to be more introverted. As I navigated this new work force, I realized that the only way I would accomplish my career goals would be to get a mentor. Practically speaking, that meant taking a lower paying job that would allow me to gain experience in exchange.
Many of the entry level jobs were paying well below what one would normally expect for an attorney salary. Quite frankly, it was often well below what you would even imagine someone with a Bachelor’s degree to earn. Nevertheless, I knew that if I wanted to learn I would have to put my pride aside and the notion that I was unwilling to accept what I believed I deserved.
“humility says, “I’m willing to admit what I don’t know.””
After three years of basically taking whatever I could get, I soon found myself in a position where I could demand my salary because I had gained the experience. I would probably never be where I am now had I allowed pride to keep from taking the lower salary jobs. You see, pride says, “I’m worth more than that.” But humility says, “I’m willing to admit what I don’t know.”
Many people are so quick to remind others of how much they are “worth,” that they become unteachable. There is always someone that knows more than you and can teach you something based on their experiences. Often times we look at successful people and think that somehow they just arrived there or they got to that level because of nepotism. But in reality, most successful people will tell you that it was because they were willing to take the lessor role that they are now in a position to lead.
“ If You give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime”
Think of how many of the disciples gave up their careers as fishermen and tax collectors to follow Jesus. They became his disciples not because he offered them a better salary, but because He promised to give them something that money could not buy: eternal life. Matthew 4:19.
There’s an old fable, “ If You give a man a fish and he can eat for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and he can eat for a lifetime.” Don’t let pride get in the way of you gaining some of life’s most valuable lessons from others. We all have hopes and desires to be great, but are you humble, teachable and willing to take the lessor role? If not, you will never be in a position to lead others. You must first learn the cost of learning and the value of serving.