When I was fifteen, I spent the majority of my free time either thinking about or playing pickup basketball at the local park. Sadly, those hoop dreams did not result in a multi-million dollar NBA career, since the only contract this big man was offered coming out of college was a five figure deal to stock kitchen supplies and ship Betamax dubs for my first agency job.
During my pick-up days, I suppose I had a propensity to take an additional step or two on my way to the hole. While I’d argue it was a jump-stop or perhaps a before-its-time Euro Step, these extra steps led one older player to label me “Wilbury,” or more formally, “Traveling Wilbury.”
Borrowed, of course, from the name of a rock n’ roll supergroup, it should be noted that I hated this nickname for several reasons.
For starters, the guy that came up with it was probably in his 30’s, so his age felt like an unfair advantage when it came to clowning me in front of my teenage peers. Secondly, the nickname was clever and made other people on the court laugh – consistently. And finally, I knew that often times, he was right. I was traveling.
It could be said that movement has been a consistent theme of my life. From moving four times in a Navy family by the age of ten, to a knee that persistently bounces and a mind that tends to race quite frequently, staying put has never been something I’ve been that accustomed to.
Given the above, I guess it should come as no surprise that professionally, I’ve called a lot of organizations “home.” To be specific, and if I include freelance, I’ve worked for roughly thirteen companies in a little over twenty years. Some of those places, I’ve been hired two - and even three - separate times.
It’s been a fun journey and I recognize that the path has been a bit unorthodox, especially considering the fact that the corporate world tends to frown slightly upon those who display shorter tenures on their resumes in favor of those who display longevity.
One could accuse me not finding value in sticking with an organization for an extended amount of time.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
A lengthy duration with a company leads to an invaluable understanding of the ins and outs of an organization. It often provides a path of growth to positions of leadership. If you like the people you work with, are given opportunities to grow and find yourself both challenged and valued, then I’d say there’s good reason to plant corporate roots.
But, there’s also tremendous value in the discomfort and eventual growth that arises from diving headfirst into new and different opportunities when they present themselves.
Packing your bags and diving into the unknown frequently exposes you to different ways of thinking.
Allows you to touch different brands and grasp a variety of ways to go-to-market.
It opens the door to the exposure of a wide array of leaders and thought-leadership.
Creates opportunity for new challenges, that ultimately season you for bigger moments in one’s career. Perhaps some of those moments even occur when you re-join an organization, even stronger than before.
And I’d be remiss to say that my favorite thing about moving around so often, has been the ability to meet so many different, smart and talented individuals that grace the advertising and marketing business landscape. Many, of which, I’m now lucky enough to call very good friends.
But perhaps the most valuable aspect of a well-traveled resume is the diversification it brings to one’s skillset.
Because if complacency is the kiss of death to career growth, then I’d say a diverse and ever-expanding repertoire of new experiences are the elixir to the unforeseen twists (downsizing) and turns (budget cuts) that modern day working life can throw at an individual.
So, if you find yourself wondering whether it’s time to take on new challenges, go ahead – pack your bags.
And don’t be afraid to travel.
Turns out it’s not so bad being a Wilbury after all.