From Campus to Career: Top Leadership Tips for New Grads

After listening to numerous college commencement speeches this year—some controversial, some disorganized, and some that went completely off the rails—I couldn't help but reflect on what advice I thought should be provided to recent grads. As a father of two recent college graduates, a former non-profit CEO, an adjunct professor specializing in leadership, and a certified executive coach, I've seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities that await new graduates.

So, in the interest of brevity (I'm still recovering from my daughter's graduation last weekend, where the commencement speech was so long that everyone left with a sunburn), I'll try to keep this short and sweet. :) Let's dive in.

1. No Job is Too Small

Enter the workforce with the attitude that no job is too small. Every task is an opportunity to demonstrate your attention to detail, dependability, and commitment to quality. Remember, if you can't be trusted with the little stuff, you won't ever be given a chance with the big stuff. Trust me, you can learn a lot about office dynamics while tackling the ‘small stuff.’

2. Be Early

As one of my eldest son's soccer coaches used to say, "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable." I couldn't agree more. Especially early in your career. This includes completing projects and tasks early if time and quality allow. When you're late, it sends the message that your time is more important than everyone else's, and nobody wants to be that person who everyone is waiting on.

3. Attitude is Contagious

There is a great line in the movie "Remember the Titans" that says, "Attitude reflects leadership, Captain." And it really is true. If you're grumpy, others will be grumpy. If you're an a-hole, you'll find that others are a-holes too. If you're lazy, you'll attract other people who are lazy as well. Pro tip: Don't be the leader of the procrastination club! On the other hand, if you smile, others will smile; if you're kind, others will be kind; if you work hard, well, some people will work hard too. My primary point is that your attitude sets the tone, so make it a good one. Think of it as your superpower—and use it wisely.

4. Network, Network, Network

Networking is more than just collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. It's about building genuine relationships. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and don't be afraid to strike up conversations. Remember, your network is part of your career "net worth" and it is definitely worth the investment. Plus, you never know when that awkward small talk might turn into your next big opportunity.

5. Be a Sponge

Learn as much as you can about your industry, company, and the people you work with. Most people want to take a break from "learning" after college. Don’t. While others are taking a break, soak up all the knowledge you can. This will help you prepare more quickly for new responsibilities than your peers and be more prepared when given the opportunity and/or promoted. Think of it as getting a free advanced degree in "How Sh*t Really Works."

6. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions or Ask for Help

As supervisors, we don't always know what you don't know. Leaders and managers make assumptions that aren't always as accurate as they should be. Ask colleagues for help, ask managers for clarification, and don't be afraid to ask questions. It will prevent misunderstandings and mistakes, and save you, your team, and your organization time and money. Gaining information or clarity isn't a weakness or a sign of a lack of intelligence. In fact, it's quite the opposite. As a leader, I look for people who ask a lot of questions. It gives me insight into how they think, and I know I can trust them to seek clarity when needed.

7. Take Care of Yourself

Your career is important, but so is your health. Make sure to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Burnout is real, and it's not worth sacrificing your well-being for a job. When I was younger, I used to think that exhaustion was a badge of honor... it's not. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. By prioritizing self-care along the way, you'll find that you're actually much more effective, resilient, and have a lot more fuel in the tank when it matters the most.

8. Go Do Fun Sh*t

Before you have a family, settle down, or become overly consumed with your job, make the time to travel, explore, and do as many fun things as you can. You will never regret making memories and learning more about the world. It's also extremely important to take a break from your work and develop the habit of getting away early in your career. You'll find that when you truly take a break, you come back more motivated and productive than before you left. Plus, you’ll have some great stories to share at your networking events.

9. Stay True to Your Values

As you navigate your career, you will inevitably face situations that challenge your values and ethics. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in. Integrity is one of the most valuable traits a leader can have. It's better to walk away from a situation that compromises your values than to lose your sense of self and/or purpose. Your future self will absolutely thank you for not turning into that person who compromises their principles for a quick gain.

10. Your Time Will Come

I have seen way too many college students and recent graduates develop unrealistic expectations about how quickly they should be promoted into new positions. Now, I'm not talking about a pay increase. That should happen every year if you have been doing a good job, but I am talking about being promoted into a new role or level of responsibilities. While every industry is different, according to ZipRecruiter, the average person is promoted about every three years. If you enter the workforce with that reality, your expectations will be different, and you will approach your job differently.

In addition, don't get caught up in comparing your title or employer to that of your friends and former classmates. At the end of the day, everyone is on their own path and journey. Trust me, no one’s going to remember who got promoted first at your five-year reunion. Remain focused on learning as much as you can, doing a great job, and networking within and outside your organization, and you will absolutely see a return on those investments in more ways than one.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my top ten leadership tips for new graduates. Stay curious, work hard, be early, network, maintain a positive attitude, ask questions when you need to, take care of yourself, stay humble, stay true to yourself, and go do fun sh*t. If you follow this advice, I promise you'll be well on your way to a successful career.