Ep. 42 - Elevate Your Career: Beyond the Job Description – Part 2
- Chad Lingafelt
- Aug 7, 2025
- 2 min read
In the continuation of their impactful series "Top Things You Want People to Know," Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe in Alberta, Tony from Assured Security in Minnesota, and Chad from Loc-Doc Security in Charlotte, NC, dive deeper into actionable strategies for professional advancement. This follow-up episode builds on the foundation of attitude and professionalism, offering more profound insights for those truly committed to career growth.
1. Build Habits Early: The Power of Consistency
Lars highlighted the critical importance of building positive habits early in one's career. Drawing inspiration from James Clear's Atomic Habits, he emphasized that as you get older, physical energy wanes, making strong routines even more vital. Whether it's arriving 15 minutes early to connect with colleagues or dedicating a set time for personal development (like Lars's Tuesday afternoon learning block), consistent small actions compound over time. The goal is to make positive behaviors so ingrained they become effortless, reducing the "pain of learning something new".
2. Being Effective is Better Than Being Right.
Chad introduced a powerful concept: sometimes, sacrificing the need to be "right" in a discussion leads to more effective outcomes. This pragmatic approach prioritizes achieving goals and solving problems over winning arguments. It requires a shift in mindset from ego-driven validation to results-oriented collaboration.
3. Don't Be Afraid of Conflict: Embrace Productive Disagreement.
Echoing themes from Chris Voss's Never Split the Difference, the hosts advocated for constructive conflict. While many people (especially those with high "social ability" as per the Culture Index, discussed in Episode 9 ) shy away from disagreement to avoid hurting feelings, productive conflict is essential for innovation and problem-solving. It's about navigating high-stress situations to achieve desired results without true compromise. As Lars noted, sometimes truth, even if "rude," is necessary for effectiveness.
4. Read a Book: The Ultimate Career Catalyst.
Lars declared reading as perhaps the most impactful activity for career growth. Beyond simply acquiring knowledge, reading (or listening to audiobooks) is an intentional act that engages the mind, broadens perspectives, and even reduces stress. In an age of diminishing attention spans due to constant screen time, dedicating time to reading is a "stillness exercise" that revitalizes and inspires. The foundation of nearly all the Unlocked hosts' business insights comes from books they've read.
5. Find Your Niche and Build Relationships.
Chad encouraged listeners to identify what they enjoy and then find a way to get paid for it – essentially, finding your niche. Complementing this, Lars stressed the immense value of building genuine personal relationships with your team and your boss. "It's not what you know," he asserted, but "who you know" that often drives career progression. Taking a sincere interest in others can open doors and foster invaluable support throughout your professional journey.
By embracing these principles—building strong habits, prioritizing effectiveness, engaging in constructive conflict, committing to continuous learning through reading, and nurturing relationships—you can strategically position yourself for significant career advancement and become an indispensable asset to your organization.
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