Success and Mentorship: Keys to Building a Thriving Career - Swap Meat Ltd
Success is a word that evokes different meanings for each of us, shaped by our experiences, aspirations, and the challenges we face. In a recent podcast conversation with venture capitalist Rob Carol, we explored the key elements of success, particularly focusing on the importance of mentorship and how personal happiness ties into one's professional journey. Rob’s path from pharmacist to a successful venture capitalist highlights that success isn’t a solo endeavour—it requires guidance, reflection, and adaptability.
The Power of Mentorship
When we hear about mentorship, it's often framed as a tool for newcomers to navigate the early stages of their careers. However, Rob emphasizes that mentorship is a lifelong asset, not limited to those starting out. He explains that his career was shaped by mentors who not only guided him during pivotal moments but continued to offer advice long after he had moved on to different roles.
Rob recalls his journey beginning in the pharmacy field, eventually taking a leap into finance. This was uncharted territory for him, but the mentors he cultivated along the way provided critical insights. He speaks of how these mentors helped him avoid costly mistakes, refine his decision-making skills, and most importantly, learn to ask the right questions in high-stakes meetings. Rob vividly recalls a lesson imparted by one of his mentors early in his career: "At board meetings, it’s better to ask questions rather than make statements." This seemingly simple advice has had a lasting impact, guiding him through his interactions with senior executives and investors alike.
But what sets Rob’s approach apart is his commitment to retaining these mentorship relationships even as he progressed in his career. He explains that whenever he moved on to a new job, he always kept in touch with his previous bosses, who became valuable sounding boards for future challenges. Rob encourages young professionals to proactively seek mentors, noting that most people are flattered to be asked. "If you think someone has expertise you can learn from, don’t hesitate to ask them to be a mentor," he advises. He believes that mentorship should be seen as an ongoing, evolving relationship rather than a transactional one-time connection.
What’s equally important, Rob notes, is to ‘pay it forward.’ Now that he has accumulated decades of experience, he seeks to act as a mentor for others. He mentions, "Having been mentored by others, I want to try and do the same for people who need it now. It’s a way to continue learning while also giving back." This reflects a key point that mentorship is not just about receiving guidance but also about sharing what you’ve learned with those following in your footsteps.
Defining Success Through Personal Happiness
While mentorship is a crucial part of Rob's professional life, his broader view of success is far more philosophical. He contends that the ultimate measure of success is happiness. In today’s fast-paced world, it's easy to associate success with material wealth—having a big house, a fancy car, or a high-powered job. Yet Rob suggests that these are only surface-level indicators of success. He argues that what lies beneath these external markers is the real question: Why do we desire these things? For Rob, the answer is simple—people chase these material goals because they believe it will make them happy.
Rob, who has been studying ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, says his views on success have been deeply influenced by the Stoics and other philosophers of the era. "For them, happiness was the ultimate goal of life, and everything we do is aimed at achieving happiness," he explains. This, he believes, is just as true today. "You might want financial security, a nice house, or a successful career, but when you dig deeper, the reason for wanting these things is to feel happy and secure."
This perspective shifts the focus from chasing wealth for wealth’s sake to ensuring that whatever goals we set align with our deeper values and desires. Rob’s definition of success transcends material gain, instead centering on achieving a state of inner contentment. This, he argues, is what ultimately matters. "Success isn't just about what you have; it's about how you feel about your life and the way you live it."
Balancing Health and Success
Rob also places great importance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle as part of his success formula. With a history of asthma, Rob has learned that regular physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining his health and overall well-being. He and his wife make it a priority to run several times a week and stay active through skiing and other sports. He stresses that fitness is not only about physical health but mental clarity as well. “When I don’t run for a while, I notice I start to feel wheezy, which impacts everything. Staying active helps me breathe easier and focus better,” he says.
For Rob, success without health is hollow. He points out that good health allows him to perform at his best, both professionally and personally. His fitness routine keeps his asthma under control, allowing him to continue doing the things he loves, such as skiing and travelling. The takeaway? Achieving success in your career is important, but taking care of your physical and mental health is what allows you to enjoy that success fully.
Lessons Learned
Rob’s career, though impressive, isn't defined by any one position or achievement but rather by the lessons he's accumulated along the way. His advice to anyone seeking success is simple but profound:
Seek Mentorship: Learning from others can save you from making costly mistakes. Be open to guidance and willing to learn.
Define Success as Happiness: Material wealth is fleeting. True success comes from feeling content with your choices and the life you’ve built.
Prioritize Your Health: Physical and mental well-being are the foundations of a successful life. Stay active and make self-care a priority.
In summary, Rob's approach to success is holistic—blending the importance of mentorship, personal happiness, and health. For him, success isn't a destination, but a journey, one that is enriched by the people you meet, the lessons you learn, and the balance you find along the way.