Thasunda Brown Duckett’s Counterintuitive Advice: Embrace the "Hard" to Accelerate Your Career
Thasunda Brown Duckett, the president and CEO of insurance giant TIAA, and the third Black woman to be a full-time Fortune 500 CEO, has some radical advice for anyone feeling stagnant in their career: Don’t run from the challenges, embrace them. This may seem counterintuitive in a world where job hopping is increasingly common, especially among younger generations. But Duckett, who was named to CNBC’s inaugural Changemakers list in February, believes that “sitting in hard” and confronting uncomfortable situations can lead to significant growth and accelerate career progression.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Challenges, Don’t Run From Them: Duckett advocates for staying put even in difficult situations, particularly early in one’s career, to learn valuable lessons and build resilience.
- Don’t Confuse "Hard" With Toxic: There’s a difference between embracing challenges and tolerating toxic work environments that harm your mental health. It’s essential to prioritize your well-being and leave situations that are truly detrimental.
- Embrace Opportunities for Skill Building: Seek out mentors, actively gain new skills, and cultivate professional relationships to accelerate career growth.
The Power of “Sitting in Hard”
Duckett encourages individuals to see tough situations as opportunities for learning and developing crucial skills. She emphasizes the importance of honing skills like navigating challenging relationships, managing through influence, and navigating a difficult boss. She acknowledges that "sitting in hard" does not mean tolerating abuse or jeopardizing your mental health. However, she believes that pushing through challenging situations earlier in your career can equip you with the resilience and adaptability needed for greater success.
Navigating Toxic Environments
Career coach Joyce Guan West echoes Duckett’s sentiments about the importance of embracing challenges but stresses the need for boundaries. West states that while "employees should try to work through challenges, if ultimately after trying, they are in a situation that isn’t healthy for them, they need to leave or make a change." She highlights the prevalence of toxic workplaces and the harm that can be inflicted by abusive managers.
The Importance of Strategic Job Hopping
While Duckett advocates for strategic "sitting in hard," West acknowledges that job hopping can also be a valuable strategy in today’s dynamic job market. This is especially relevant for those facing truly toxic work environments. She emphasizes that employees should weigh their options carefully and make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances.
Leveraging Professional Relationships and Skill Building
Beyond embracing challenges, building robust professional networks and actively gaining new skills are crucial for career advancement. Duckett and West both encourage seeking mentorship from experienced individuals, continuously adding new skills to your repertoire, and strategically pursuing promotions. Aiming for a first management role can significantly accelerate career growth, providing valuable experience and leadership opportunities.
The Takeaway: Finding a Balance
Thasunda Brown Duckett’s advice offers a new perspective on navigating a challenging job market. While "sitting in hard" can lead to valuable growth and resilience, it’s essential to create a balance. Actively seek out mentors, build your network, and acquire new skills.
Ultimately, prioritize your well-being and be strategically selective about the challenges you embrace. As Duckett states, "If you sit in hard earlier in your career, and you take the paths that are uncomfortable, you learn to be comfortable." By leveraging these strategies you can leverage your career challenges to become more adaptable, resilient, and ultimately, achieve greater success.
