Business management consultant Dan Coughlin published a great article at The Ladders highlighting his five keys to career acceleration. A must-read for anyone learning how to keep their career driving forward. If applied to my own career and the future I seek to build at Avid, I think my greatest strength is Number 1: Take Calculated Risks:

“In order to accelerate your career you must continue to think bigger and bigger, not safer and safer. The successful driver knows that over the course of hundreds of laps there are specific moments when he has to make his move if he wants to win the race. But he also knows the other key to success is to stay in the race. Avoid career blowouts while consistently investing your time and energy in projects that can accelerate business results.”

My greatest area for improvement is definitely Number 2: Be Rested for the Big Races:

“I’ve noticed that people usually perform career-destroying maneuvers when they’re working unbelievably long hours. In a state of near exhaustion, they simply have a very expensive brain freeze. The most effective top performers, on the other hand, maintain consistency by getting rest and having enough energy not to get caught up in the dramas of the workday. They stay calm and consistent, which helps their group move steadily forward, particularly in the critical moments that drive business results, and careers, forward.”

 Where are your strengths and weaknesses?