Cole: What advice do you wish someone had given you earlier in your career? Emerson: I wish someone had told me early on that patience is key and that success is a journey, not an event. In the beginning, I was eager to see immediate results, expecting that hard work would quickly translate into visible success. I didn’t fully appreciate that the most meaningful accomplishments often require time, persistence, and steady progress. The reality is that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a culmination of countless small steps, consistent effort, and learning from both successes and setbacks along the way. If someone had told me to be patient and trust the process, I might have avoided some of the frustration and self-doubt that can come when things don’t unfold as quickly as you’d hoped. It’s easy to look at others who seem to be advancing rapidly and feel like you’re falling behind. But what I’ve learned is that everyone’s journey is different, and comparing your progress to someone else’s can be counterproductive. Patience also involves being kind to yourself, understanding that growth takes time, and that it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away. It’s about recognizing that the skills, knowledge, and experiences you gain along the way are just as important as reaching the final goal. Each step, no matter how small, is a building block for the future. Consistency is equally important. Success often comes to those who are willing to show up every day, even when the progress seems slow or the challenges seem daunting. By staying committed and continuing to put in the effort, you build a solid foundation that will support your long-term goals. In hindsight, I see that some of the most rewarding moments in my career came after periods of perseverance and patience. These experiences have taught me that true success is not just about the destination, but about the journey itself—about growing, learning, and evolving over time. This is the advice I would
share with anyone starting out in their career: be patient, stay consistent, and trust that with time, your hard work will pay off in ways you might not yet imagine. Cole: What do you believe to be the most important piece of advice for a leader to follow? Emerson: Listening is the most crucial piece of advice I’ve ever received about leadership. My mother would always say, “Instruction is the best teacher.” This means being intentional about how and where you gather information. Effective leaders are those who listen more than they speak. They seek to understand before being understood. In this way, you can truly connect with the people you lead, learn from them, and make more informed decisions. Additionally, leadership is not a static role; it requires continuous growth. The world is constantly evolving, and so too must our leadership styles and strategies. Never stop studying and learning. Stay curious, stay informed, and always be open to new perspectives. This approach has helped me adapt to changes and remain relevant in my field. Cole: How do you prioritize work-life balance, and what advice do you have for junior professionals who are struggling to find balance? Emerson: Work-life balance is all about prioritizing what’s important and setting achievable daily goals. I maintain a daily “to- do” list where I write down everything I need to accomplish. As I complete each task, I cross it off the list. If something doesn’t get done, I carry it over to the next day so I don’t lose sight of it. However, I’ll admit that there are times when I burn the midnight oil, especially when deadlines are tight or when a project demands extra attention. One key piece of advice I have for junior professionals is to learn how to delegate tasks effectively. You can’t do everything on your own, and trying to do so can lead to burnout. When you delegate, ensure that the people you’re
21 The Acumen
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