John Sutton’s Three Piece of Advice to His Children: Perseverance, Respect and Professionalism

WashingtonExec’s Three Pieces of Advice Series

“If you could give your kids only three pieces of advice, what would they be?”

Today’s advice is from John Sutton, General Manager of Mission Solutions at Vencore.

1. Perseverance – Life is certain to deliver setbacks, rejections and non-responses. You must never surrender or hesitate, thus allowing others to determine your future. You must endure the headwinds of the world while charging after your goals. Push yourself, always hustle and out-work your competition. Don’t ask why someone else got the promotion you want – make it obvious to everyone that you are No. 1.
2. Respect – Always take the high road and respect yourself, your career, your reputation, your family and your employer. When faced with difficult situations, take time to make ethical decisions that you will reflect upon later as proper. When meeting people extend your hand with a firm handshake, make eye contact, ask about them and remember their names. Offer help to those who need it the most. When someone has a bad day or gets chewed up in a meeting, offer your help. Make time to help those in need in the community, whether it is wounded veterans or families in poverty. Your time has more impact than your money. The confidence you build from giving is great, and the respect you earn is even greater.
3. Professionalism – Always show up, be on time, be prepared, be well dressed and be open to all points of view. In meetings, take notes, be responsive, ask short questions and show your passion for next steps. In communicating, be succinct, polite, return phone calls and emails, and make your customers and co-workers want to work with you. Take an interest in the mission. Whether you are training bank examiners, securing tax information, or recruiting talent; make the extra effort to understand the big picture and be able to tell the whole business story.