I played chess when I was a kid. There was nothing cool about it at the time, but it taught me lessons I still use today while guiding sports business professionals through delicate discussions about their careers.
As an executive recruiter specializing in the business of sports and live entertainment, I often have the same conversations with different people. The two most common conversations trend around the following:
The “Passive Candidate”: Don’t Settle for Less
These candidates are not actively looking for a new job. They may dismiss a new opportunity prematurely based on a knee-jerk reaction to title, location, or compensation. They are comfortable and often don’t take the time to consider their next move proactively.
Those Who Experience “Buyer’s Remorse”: Learn from Mistakes
They are facing the reality of a career decision gone wrong. They may not have done their homework on the ownership group. The position was oversold to them. The expectations for the role were unrealistic. Whether they shoulder the blame or not, they have to live with the consequences of their decision.
In both of these scenarios, the common denominator is not enough thought and consideration were given to such a major life decision.
Think Like a Chess Player: Strategic Career Moves
When making career decisions, I advise professionals to take a page from chess. Chess is a game of strategy. If moves are made without deliberate thought, for example, to give the appearance of forward motion, it may likely turn out to be a bad move in the long run.
When I give advice to people considering a career move to “think like a chess player,” I ask them to do some serious introspection and deep thinking. Will taking the new position progress their career in the way they would like? Thinking two, three, and four moves ahead, will the new role put them on the right course to get there? Often, a new job will offer the allure of “fool’s gold”. Call it the LinkedIn Trap – people become too worried with the perception of those in their network – “What will they think if I take a job that doesn’t have a bigger title, or if it doesn’t look like the conventional next step in my career?” By thinking short-term, great opportunities may be missed because the title doesn’t appear to align with the next logical career move, or the location isn’t ideal.
The Importance of People and Stability
Few things are as important in changing jobs as the people you will be working for and with. The industry can be volatile, with new leadership bringing in their own people. Ask yourself how stable is the organization? Who will I be learning from, collaborating with, or managing? What are the opportunities for mentorship? What are the responsibilities of the position (not what is the job title)? What are the expectations for the role? Will I be fairly compensated? If you are confident you will be set up for success, you can project where the position will lead, either growth within the organization, or up within the industry after a suitable amount of time in the position.
Embrace Smart and Strategic Career Moves
Keep in mind there are no perfect jobs, but there are smart and strategic chess and career moves. Be careful not to have unreasonable expectations or limit yourself when considering future opportunities.
Remember, managing your sports career is like playing chess. Take the time to think strategically, consider your moves carefully, and don’t be afraid to make bold and calculated decisions. Your career depends on it.
For more insights on career management, visit Management.