Playing in Traffic

I read an article today that really stuck with me, “How to be a CEO, From a Decade’s Worth of Them” by the amazing Adam Bryant from the New York Times. This is one of my favorite series and it is sadly ending today. Bryant has interviewed 525 chief executives through his years writing the Corner Office column. Typically the advice is unexpected and thought-provoking. There were a few elements that really struck with me, but this article is full of interesting wisdom.

One part of the article focused on how to become a CEO. I really don’t think I aspire to be a CEO, but I love the traits he highlighted for living life:

• They have an “applied curiosity” mindset. “They question everything. They want to know how things work, and have a sense of wonder regarding how they can be made to work better. They’re curious about people and their back stories. And rather than wondering if they are on the right career path, they make the most of whatever path they’re on, wringing lessons from all their experiences.”
• They love a challenge. Discomfort is their comfort zone. As Arkadi Kuhlmann, a veteran banking chief said, “Usually, I really like whatever the problem is. I like to get close to the fire. Some people have a desire for that, I’ve noticed, and some people don’t. I just naturally gravitate to the fire. So I think that’s a characteristic that you have, that’s in your DNA.”
• They managed their own careers on their way to the top. They focus on doing their current job well, and that earns them promotions. If you focus on building a track record of success, people will keep betting on you. “You shouldn’t be looking just to climb the ladder, but be open to opportunities that let you climb that ladder.”

I love the push to be curious, learn from all experiences, embrace challenges, and focus on doing great work as the path toward success. Luckily, I have the opportunity to do this everyday. I want to continue to seek out chances to get close to the fire. Life is more exciting that way.

Bryant helpfully chose his favorite career advice to share. It was from Joseph Plumeri, the vice chairman of First Data, who shared his biggest career inflection points came from chance meetings, leading to his top advice: Play in traffic.

“It means that if you go push yourself out there and you see people and do things and participate and get involved, something happens. Both of my great occasions in life happened by accident simply because I showed up. Show up, get in the game, go play in traffic,” Mr. Plumeri said. “Something good will come of it, but you’ve got to show up.”

This is one of my most favorite thoughts in awhile. Playing in traffic goes against everything we are taught as children. Stay in your lanes. Use the crosswalk. Be safe.

Instead, playing in traffic is taking risks, aggressively tackling a challenge, and being fully present. This is advice I can live by.

I was explaining this blog entry to my son and told him it reminded me of my favorite video game as a child (which we’ve played for hours together at Gameworks) – Frogger. Such an epic game. Playing in traffic is like Frogger. You are smart. Strategic. Focused. And motivated toward a goal. A great way to live.

He said I should have an example that is the anti-Frogger to illustrate the point. Smart kid. So I said the anti-Frogger is the turtle in the game. Floating along in the water, being used as a launching pad, and going nowhere but downstream. It led to tonight’s life lesson – in life, be the Frogger not the turtle. Play in traffic and live life fully.

Bryant’s favorite life advice, came from Ruth Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University. Her advice to students?

“They should never assume that they can predict what experiences will teach them the most about what they value, or about what their life should be,” she said. “You have to be open and alert at every turn to the possibility that you’re about to learn the most important lesson of your life.”

So here’s to curiosity. Living close to the fire. Playing in traffic. Being the Frogger. And being open and alert to the possibilities of life always.