Ships in a harbor

I remember I was in church when I first heard the quote “A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for”. The minister was reminding us all that simply sitting in church in week was not enough….we needed to take a risk and invite others to join us. I really loved the quote because it also reminds us to never be comfortable in our situations, but to take risks and embrace new challenges. One recent leader in my industry had risen to the top with little background in her current role. She was leading investor calls for a top organization. I asked how she learned to answer all the questions correctly, assuring not to say the wrong information. She said I sought the help of others and learned as I went along. Her advice? Always keep applying for new roles, both inside and outside of your organization. Even when you don’t meet all the qualifications, just apply. One day, someone might just give you a new opportunity and your ship may sail in an entirely new direction….