Significant Career Lesson From a Senior Vice President at Starbucks
Michael's most significant career lesson is to remain "open to opportunities," eschewing a rigid career plan in favor of evaluating opportunities based on interest and the people involved. This approach, rather than following a predetermined path, led to a diverse and fulfilling career, including unexpected moves into new fields and locations, demonstrating that a flexible approach can yield unforeseen and positive results.
Career Exploration, Executive/Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals, Motivational Stories
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Fink
Senior Vice President
Starbucks Corporation
University of California Berkeley
Harvard Law School JD
Economics
Food, Beverages & Alcohol, Law
Legal
International Student, Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Being open to unexpected opportunities is key to career success. Michael emphasizes that he didn't follow a rigid career plan, but instead embraced new challenges as they arose, leading to unexpected and positive career advancements.
2. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Michael's career involved transitioning to new areas, such as franchise law, showcasing the benefits of embracing unfamiliar territory and its potential for growth and global exposure.
3. Assess opportunities based on intrinsic interest and team dynamics, rather than solely on rigid career progression. Michael suggests evaluating opportunities based on factors such as interest in the work and compatibility with the team, allowing for a more fulfilling and potentially serendipitous career path than strictly adhering to a pre-defined plan.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I would say it's being open to opportunities. I wasn't someone with a five or ten-year career plan, unlike my daughter and many other people.
My approach was more focused on what I was doing that day and whether I liked it or not. Maybe it would extend to six months or a year, but I had no master plan.
Looking back, I've had a very interesting and fortunate career. When people ask how I did it or what I would have done differently, I truthfully say I never would have mapped any of it out.
I never would have guessed I'd end up in Seattle or working for a global company. None of it was planned.
Because I wasn't locked into a set path with specific future goals, I've had to be open to opportunities. Sometimes, when you're too focused on a specific path, you can pass up opportunities that aren't obvious but could lead to something great.
Throughout my career, opportunities often came to me without me seeking them out. They were presented based on my work, connections, and other activities.
I would often take a step, like moving into franchise law, an area I knew nothing about. That decision eventually led to working in Amsterdam and many other things.
I encourage people to have a plan, even though I didn't. However, if you do have a plan, don't be too rigid about it. Be open to the opportunities that come your way.
Evaluate opportunities based on whether they seem interesting and if you like the people involved. Don't solely focus on how they fit into your precise plan.
You will likely still reach a fulfilling version of your goals, even if the path isn't exactly as you envisioned. It's often more fruitful than being too close-minded.