Be the Unicorn summary

Ever heard of Ursula Burns? She rose to become the CEO of Xerox – not by following a meticulously laid-out career path, but by being open to opportunities and learning on the fly. That’s career agility right there.

Now, consider this on a bigger scale: companies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those businesses that quickly changed their operations, pivoted their models, or cooked up new services did a lot better than the ones stuck in the past. It was a matter of adapt or falter.

Imagine you’re leading a crucial meeting and suddenly, things go sideways. What do you do? Panic? Jeremy H. thinks differently. He found himself at the helm of a Zoom board meeting when an unexpected snag occurred: both guest speakers were late. But Jeremy, thanks to his foresight and mental readiness for such scenarios, had a plan B up his sleeve – an additional discussion topic. This topic, while not the main event, was engaging enough to keep the board members productively occupied. His clever move provided the much-needed buffer until the speakers made their appearance, without any panic or wasted time. That’s a testament to the power of anticipation.

Anticipation is not about predicting the distant future or having psychic abilities. It’s a practical skill, crucial in this rapidly evolving world – and guess what? You can master it. Our brains are naturally attuned to foresee outcomes. However, some people – let’s think of them as the Anticipators – are a step ahead. They can see just a bit farther down the road, making them invaluable in responding to changes swiftly and effectively.

Lynsi Snyder is the billionaire who heads the iconic west-coast burger chain In-N-Out. With a life marked by kidnapping attempts and family tragedies, Snyder harnessed a powerful tool for survival and success: self-awareness. Her keen understanding of her strengths and limitations has not only helped her personally, but also kept In-N-Out true to its roots, evident in its virtually unchanged menu since 1948.

You might wonder, what exactly is self-awareness? It’s essentially knowing your capabilities, recognizing your limitations, and being mindful of what sets you off. It’s more than just a personal skill; it’s a survival tactic. Think of an ancient hunter who chooses to run instead of foolishly battling a hyena. This self-aware decision to flee rather than fight is an evolutionary advantage to avoid danger.

Let’s take a moment and think about curiosity, shall we? You might not realize it, but this simple, often overlooked trait can be your secret weapon, shaping your career and even sparking innovative business ideas. 

Take Bill Rosenzweig’s story, for instance. He was a guy who dabbled in theater, film, and business during his college years, driven by a desire to understand how certain experiences could alter people’s perceptions and beliefs. His fascination with how things work, particularly his enchantment with Japanese tea culture, wasn’t just a passing phase. It made him fall head over heels for tea and led to a burning question: Why wasn’t there a better tea company out there? This sparked the creation of The Republic of Tea, a successful, values-driven enterprise. 

Imagine yourself in a world where the right connection can turn your life around, much like a key unlocking a door to opportunities you never dreamed of. 

Remember the story of Anne Sullivan? She was a young girl with poor eyesight, trapped in a harsh orphanage. Her life takes an incredible turn when an inspector walks in. Anne, seizing her moment, pleads to be sent to the Perkins School for the Blind. And it worked. She got in, soared to the top of her class, and eventually met Helen Keller. That’s the power of a single connection, changing not just one, but two lives forever.