On episode 15 of the Michael Valdes Podcast, my guest is, well, you, the audience. In my previous video, I solicited questions for this episode. I answer some of these questions in this video.
3 mistakes I’ve learned from:
1- Be on time.
On my first day as a director at Deutsche Bank, I got caught up in a call with a client and was a little late for my first directors’ conference. The door was locked. And even though the door was made of glass and I knocked on the door loudly, no one noticed me. The managing director called me an hour or so later and told me that the directors locked the door and wouldn’t let anyone in late. Since then, I’ve never been late to a meeting.
2- Belief in yourself.
Self-confidence is when you know you can do the job, and you let yourself know that you can do it well. Arrogance is believing that you are better than everyone else.
3- Listen more than you speak
A mistake I made early in my career is trying to show off how knowledgeable I was in any particular subject. I was eager to prove myself to the people around me. But I’ve since learned the most dangerous words in the English language are “I already know that.” I now understand that I can always learn from anyone else’s experience and I should listen more than I talk.
What is a typical day like for me
I try to fit a lot into my day. I Get up at 5 AM and work out. I make my first calls around 7 AM. I schedule a 90-minute-2-hour block in the morning and the afternoon, because I follow up on my calls. When I start doesn’t matter as much as getting things done in the morning, having that break in the day, and getting things done in the evening.
Why I do what I do
Legacy is what I leave behind after I’m gone. Last year I changed the name of my family trust to “Herencia,” which means “legacy” in Spanish. That’s a reminder for me that I want to do this in order to leave a legacy for others.
How I define leadership
I definite leadership as empowering others. Leadership also means doing that with humility. I learn from others, including the people I work with and who work for me. I want to help everyone around me become a leader in their own way.
How to connect with others and have them notice my contributions?
Reaching others is easy if you take the initiative. Nearly everyone is available on social media. If you are good enough to be undeniable, people will see the quality of your work and that you do it with the intention of helping others.
Be sure to write in with your own questions for an upcoming episode.