🔑 3 Simple Career Habits Every Executive Should Practice (I Learned Them from My Son)

I’ve spent 20+ years working with executive talent, and watching my son go through internship recruiting reminded me that the fundamentals don’t change — whether you’re interviewing for an internship or preparing for a CEO role.

1️⃣ Network with curiosity, not agenda
My son isn’t just interviewing — he’s meeting people inside the firms he’s interested in, even if they have nothing to do with the open role. He asks how they started, what the culture rewards, and what skills matter. It’s also a great way to learn what you might be missing from a career development standpoint. Networking isn’t just access — it’s awareness. 💬

2️⃣ Keep a “Wins” document
You’d be amazed how many accomplished leaders don’t have a current bio or résumé. Not because they aren’t successful, but because time makes you forget what you’ve actually done. Keep one page with metrics you moved, decisions you made, teams you built, and problems you solved. When opportunity shows up, you shouldn’t have to recreate your career — you should be able to reference it. 📄✨

3️⃣ Summarize your career in 20 words
My wife recently shared this TEDx talk with me, which I found incredibly helpful: https://youtu.be/f_N3PGvnVKg 🎯

The question “Tell me about yourself” should not take 30 minutes. Every leader should be able to communicate what they do, what they’re best at, and the value they create in one clear sentence. Being concise is a leadership skill. If you can’t explain your work simply, it’s hard to set direction, influence a Board, or lead a team.

Bottom line:
Career momentum comes from simple habits executed consistently — network with curiosity, document your wins, and practice clarity of message. These behaviors stand out at every stage of your career. 🌟