Giving Thanks to Luck

Don't underestimate the power of good fortune in your career adventures

In golf, I’ve frequently used the saying, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” I normally say it when I mishit the ball, but the gods choose to bless me for some unknown reason and drop the little white orb right next to the hole. Lefty Gomez, a pitcher for the Yankees in the 1930’s, apparently coined the term. I was reminded of this statement this past weekend and believe it’s a good reminder for us all from time to time.

The Reminder

Late last week I was on an epic, 100 mile bike ride with a friend. Lefty Gomez’s quote re-entered my mind. My friend and I were talking about our careers. As we pedaled, I couldn’t help but think of my good fortune early in my own vocational journey.

The subject: the Great Recession in 2008. Back then, I was two years into my post-MBA career with Procter & Gamble (P&G). I was an auditor. I felt like a square peg in a round hole. I wondered if I’d made the right career decision. But, a new adventure was on the horizon.

Soon, I would start a new role as a Capacity & Financial Analysis Manager for P&G’s Family Care business, the one that proudly supplied households with Bounty, Charmin, and Puffs during the Great Pandemic (i.e. - Covid-19). This career step was fun, it required patience, and it challenged me intellectually. Most importantly, it helped me establish a positive career trajectory. I built career confidence and established a nest egg to fund future adventures. To think, I almost took another path.

The Alternative Path

I almost went into real estate in 2006. As a second-year MBA, I was convinced that real estate was the career for me. It felt like the best next leap from my post undergrad beginnings as a golf course superintendent. I did the informational interviews. I went to real estate conferences. I took real estate finance classes. I was in, until I wasn’t. If I’d gone into the real estate business, there is a high likelihood I would have been unemployed with a good bit of MBA debt in 2008.

Lady Luck Strikes

In October 2005, I received an email from a P&G hiring manager. They wanted to interview me for a role as a financial analyst. I thought, “Why the heck would P&G want to interview me? I didn’t apply to a job there. This must be a mistake.” It wasn’t. They selected my resume from a bulk pile of finance focused candidates. Magic, right? I was encouraged to attend a happy hour to meet current Proctoids, to learn about the company. What’s the harm? I was going into real estate. Why not enjoy a free drink and some finger sandwiches, right?

My mind was opened to a different world. To that point, I’d eschewed big corporate life, like a toddler spitting out overcooked broccoli. It wasn’t for me. That night, I networked and learned about a career adventure filled with rotating assignments and new challenges. I spoke with a future colleague who was in the precursor to P&G Ventures at that time. His work sounded cool! He was a corporate entrepreneur! I thought, “What’s the harm in interviewing, right?”

You Blew It…..Almost

I almost screwed up this serendipitous opportunity. I’d passed the first interview when I “decided” exploring this potential adventure had gone far enough. I wasn’t going to the second round interview. I was going into real estate. Then, I received some sage counsel from people I trust.

My dad, a classmate, and a family friend all encouraged me to continue the interview process. They asked, “What’s the harm in exploring?” P&G could potentially offer things the alternate path could not like monetary security and a prestigious, widely known career credential. They were right. I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to prove myself with a world class company, an opportunity many of my classmates envied.

The opportunity gave me so much. It provided job security and helped me save money when so many people were struggling during the Great Recession. It gave me the path I needed to find a future job opportunity with E.&J. Gallo Winery. It trained me in business & marketing strategy with one of the most prestigious companies in the world. Most importantly, it introduced me to my wonderful wife, which lead to my precious children. Nonetheless, was it purely luck?

Was it Really Luck?

It’s easy to look at that moment in my career as simply luck. In reality, it was much more. I love Lefty Gomez’s quote, but it shouldn’t be taken purely at face value, in my opinion.

Yes, I was lucky to have been selected to interview. A very small percentage of applicants are selected to interview. An even smaller percentage ultimately are hired. But, looking at it this way is too rudimentary.

I was likely selected because of my unique background. I was a golf course superintendent before business school. Then, I interned with a real estate development start-up supported by Whirlpool between my first and second year in B-school. Further, I talked about these experiences during the happy hour and during the interview. My unique career adventures helped me stand out amongst the sea of sameness with other candidates.

Also, I had the smarts to bring trusted confidants into the tent. I asked them to help me process the decision to explore P&G vs. keeping my head down and diving into real estate. We all need mentors on our career journeys.

Yes, I was lucky to be selected out of the resume screening hat, especially because I didn’t apply. But, it was also good old fashioned networking, differentiation, and mentorship that helped me choose the “right” adventure.

Give Thanks, Seek Adventure

I still like to use Lefty Gomez’s quote. To me, it’s a good reminder of the importance of luck in one’s career. We should all remember, especially the most successful among us, that some good luck and good fortune have helped. Some like to believe that they alone are the reason behind their success. This is rarely the case. Give thanks for the luck you’ve experienced this time of year.

Also, remember that we make our own luck. As the renowned Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” We create opportunity. We dictate the adventures in our life in many regards. While we aren’t fully in control, we have enough free will to use our strengths, communities, and, hopefully, mentors to help us know when we are staring luck in the face.

Be grateful for the good fortune you have, especially this time of year. Help others find good fortune. Help people see the adventures they have within reach and be good mentors and supporters. Happy early Thanksgiving!