Are You INTO THE WILD at Work?
I have long admired the free-wheeling minimalist approach to life that Chris McCandless embraced. The wondering genius, whom which the book and movie Into the Wild is about, gave up all of his material belongings after college and trekked to Alaska to see how he would fare living off the land. As you probably know, the story doesn't end well, but it is still a beautiful journey, one that holds valuable career advice.
WHAT CHRIS DID WELL
Took Risks - Anyone who is willing to walk out on a ledge without a safety net can tell you that taking risks is the ultimate rush. However, when you roll the dice at work, you are only rewarded when things turn out well, and that is a major reason why many organizations do not like to rattle the cage of the status quo. Overall, Jobacle believes that putting yourself on the line at work has a much greater upside. Sure, you can end up with egg on your face (or even out of a job!), but the personal growth that ensues is priceless. And the stakeholders who really matter will appreciate your effort.
Beat to His Own Drum - My tolerance for corporate sheep is non-existent so I respect anyone who is different. Standing out from the pack, when appropriate, can self-brand you in a way that is beneficial to your career. If you are just a number at work, the fault is your own. Make sure people know your name in a positive way. Associate yourself with success; be unique; have a consistent style.
Appreciated the Little Things - Everyday before I swipe my ID and pull open the heavy wood door leading to the cube farm, I remind myself that it is up to me whether it will be a good day or a bad day. Really, it's that simple. A good way to keep your mood balanced is to take notice and enjoy the little things. For example, I make a mental note to be thankful for my 20-minute commute, free milk, and the fact that I am not reporting to work for some cut-throat sales job where if I don't meet some silly quote, I'm out of work. Work moves fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, it can pass you by.
Altruistic Intentions - It takes a charitable soul to cut a check for $24,000 to Oxfam International, but that's exactly what Chris did before he hit the road. Giving back at work does not have to have a sticker price attached to it. Praise, guidance and kindness are the greatest career charities of them all. Don't be selfish.
WHAT CHRIS DID POORLY
Left Without Any Notice - Whether he was ditching his parents or his job at the grain elevator, Chris seemed to get ants in his pants and abandon just about everything with little or no warning. Just think about how pissed your employer would be if you didn't give two weeks notice; Chris wouldn't give two minutes! Learn more about the importance of two weeks notice.
No Deep Relationships - At some point, you will need an ally at work. Whether it's to push through a project, get something approved or to sway a vote, it will be important to have the back of someone you trust. Plus, it's always beneficial to get the opinion of someone you trust. (Those fluorescent lights have a funny way of distorting the truth).
Did Not Properly Plan - You wouldn't walk into a meeting without a pen and paper, would you? Well Chris went north sans compass, food plan or essential equipment. It's a fine line between adventure and recklessness. With just a bit more research and mapping information, Chris would have known that escape was a mere 1/4 mile away in the form of a hand-crank tram that would have let him cross over the seemingly impassable rapids. Some people believe Chris was on a suicide mission. We'll never know for sure, but having a plan - and a backup - is always a good career move.
Poor Communication - Many a workplace crisis gets diverted thanks to communication. Soliciting feedback helps improve your success ratio; telling people how you really feel about something diffuses self-doubt and internal anger. In my opinion, after reading Into the Wild and seeing the movie, many of Chris' shortcomings might have been rooted in his inability to speak freely and clearly with his family and acquaintances. A little solitude goes a long way. Anyone seeking extended alone time might be doing so because they are unable to communicate in a fashion they desire. Social intercourse plays a huge role in career success and its a skill that you should always be striving to improve.
The one thing I've always enjoyed about Into the Wild is that gets me to think. It gets me to feel. The movie has been playing on cable like crazy, and every time I'm flipping, I'm drawn to the story. Whether you believe Chris McCandless was a selfish and irresponsible young man on a suicide mission, or revere him as Alexander Supertramp, Kind of Adventure, there are undoubtedly things we can all learn from this enigmatic figure. Whatever you do, don’t go Into the Wild at work on your own! Jobacle.com is here to help!
Andrew G. Rosen
Reader Comments (6)
very curious indeed..
and i like it..