3 Comments // Filed in Business / Etc

Don’t be the Last

I was watching Oprah — yes, sometimes that happens when you work at home — and they were doing a segment on extraordinary women. One such woman is Kamala Harris of San Francisco, the first African American woman district attorney in the state of California. Out of the entire show, the one thing that stood out for me is this:

My mother, who is a very strong influence in my life, always said, ‘Kamala, you may be the first to do many things, but make sure you’re not the last.’

In the business world, there’s always this talk about being first, being best, being different. However, it’s not often enough emphasized that being a mentor, an educator, or an enforcer, is also as important. Don’t be the last. Some people love keeping trade secrets, but wouldn’t it be a sad day if your knowledge and work dies with you?

Often people are terrified of competition, and while I don’t advocate spilling all your dirty secrets, always striving to influence others and sharing your knowledge can be more beneficial than it is harmful. You can establish expertise in an area, earn trust with your clients, and further your position as a leader in your field.

Don’t be the last.