Apply the marketing concept of a unique product with no competition to your career. Your distinct combination of experiences, skills, and background makes you incomparable. This mindset frees you from the stress of professional jealousy, comparison, and FOMO.
When you make a mistake, adopt conductor Ben Zander's practice of saying, "How fascinating." This simple phrase interrupts feelings of shame or fear, fostering curiosity and openness. It reframes failure as a learning opportunity and builds the psychological safety needed to innovate and experiment.
Rejection can spark creativity by closing an obvious path, forcing you to find an alternative. As interviewee Andy Kramer said, if you hit a wall, you must look for a door. This constraint forces innovative thinking and can lead to unexpected, often superior, outcomes that you wouldn't have discovered otherwise.
Teams often become 'intellectual piranhas' that critique every new idea to death, stifling innovation. To counter this, use the 'Yes, and...' improv technique from Stanford's Dan Klein. This forces participants to build upon ideas collaboratively rather than shutting them down, fostering a more creative environment.
Ask yourself Steve Ahern's question: 'Who are you when the on-air light switches off?' This forces you to separate your core identity from your professional role. Knowing who you are without your job title is crucial for navigating career changes, promotions, or retirement without facing an existential crisis.
Treat your emotions after a rejection as crucial data. Professor Laura Wong categorizes her rejections based on her feelings (e.g., disappointment vs. relief). This practice helps her identify patterns and learn what she truly wants in her career, turning setbacks into powerful moments of self-discovery and strategic pivots.