19 Practices Of Leaders Who Saved Their Careers

“You are part of our past.  The question is are you part of our future?”  – a former employer say to me.

Have you ever been at a crossroads in your career?  A time when the organization was moving in a certain direction and you were seemingly being left behind?

Have you ever given everything you’ve got, hit all your numbers, had great success but your contributions no longer seem valued?  If you have been in leadership long enough, you have all been there.

This is why the story of former Ohio State Buckeyes Braxton Miller is so fascinating.  While out with an injury, the two-time Big Ten Player of the Year at quarterback watched his replacements lead the team to a national championship.  Then rather than transferring to another school, Miller, who was in great demand, remained at Ohio State and learned a new position – wide receiver.

With his career at a crossroads, Miller made the necessary changes to ensure continued success.  His decision to play wide receiver, which he is doing at a high level, saved his career.

Recently, Sports Illustrated writer Pete Thamel profiled Miller in their September 21st edition.  The following are 19 Practices Of Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers I gleaned from the article:

1. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Focused On Team Goals, Not Individual Roles – Miller chose to bloom where he was planted and help the team however he could.  He said, “This is my home state.  Good fan base.  They’ve treated me right since I’ve gotten here.  My goal was to graduate and go to the NFL from Ohio State.”
2. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Took Personal Ownership Of Their Careers – Miller would often call teammates at meet him at 10:00 PM at the team’s indoor practice facility to help him work out.
3. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Developed New Skills – Miller did ladder drills and spent hours running patterns and improving his skills.
4. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Often Developed Those Skills In Isolation – They put in the lonely work.  The type of work which no one sees and receives no applause.  Miller said, “There was no one here except maybe a couple of custodians.”
5. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Surrounded Themselves With People Who Believed In Them – Thamel referenced individuals like starting quarterback Cardale Jones, Head Coach Urban Meyer, receiver coach Zach Smith, and strength coach Mickey Mariotti who aided in his transition.
6. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Overcame Great Adversity – In the January 2014 Orange Bowl, Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley sacked Miller leading to the first of his two shoulder surgeries.  This injury sidelined him for the entire 2014 season.
7. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Properly Leveraged Times Of Inactivity – Just because nothing seems to be happening does not mean progress cannot be made.  He was not medically cleared to throw until August 2015.  He leveraged the inactive period to learn his new position.
8. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Struggled With Doubt And Despair – Miller went through a long, arduous rehab process alone while his teammates were doing incredibly well without him.  Even worse, with his shoulder injured and unable to get on the field, he was facing an uncertain professional future.
9. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Were Often Forgotten By Others – Organizations often celebrate the flavor-of-the-month or talented new employee.  Miller said, “It was hard times.  J.T. (Barrett) was doing well, and people were saying they forgot about me.”
10. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Became Angry Enough To Change – They become insulted when marginalized or taken for granted.  A chip the size of Texas resides on their shoulder.  Receiver Michael Thomas said, “It was like the injury changed him into a new man.  It brought a different demeanor out of him.  It created a monster.”
11. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Became Humble Enough To Change – After realizing he be unable to continue playing quarterback, Miller came to himself and humbly approached Coach Mariotti asking, “What do you think of me playing another position?”
12. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Proactively Created A Personal Improvement Plan – Miller approached Coach Meyer in May 2015 about playing receiver.  This would give him time to learn the position.
13. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Desperately Wanted To Save Their Careers – Miller said after meeting with Coach Meyer, “I was eager to get better at the position.  I felt like I was behind.  People have been doing this for years.”
14. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Got Smarter – Miller studied similar players like Percy Harvin and Travon Austin.  Coach Meyer, a former receivers coach at Notre Dame, still watches tape with Miller to improve his understanding of the position.
15. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Paid The Physical Price Needed To Save Their Careers – Miller has paid a high physical price to get in the type of shape needed to play receiver rather than quarterback.
16. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Seized New Opportunities When They Were Presented – Rather than being eased into the receiver position, Miller was forced into action because of injuries and three suspensions to the team’s receiving corp.  This was Miller’s chance.  Watch the video above to see what he did with his opportunity.
17. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Had Grit – They were persistent.  They refused to give up.  After two touchdowns in the season opener against Virginia Tech, Miller wept as his teammates congratulated him.  Coach Smith said, “He was overwhelmed with satisfaction and humility, and he was so thankful that it finally happened.  He wanted it bad.”
18. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Embraced The Process Needed To Change – It took two years for Miller to reshape his career.
19. Highly Successful Leaders Who Saved Their Careers Had Careers Worth Saving – Miller concluded, “I love football, especially when it’s a prime-time game and the atmosphere is right.  I want to put on a show.”  And now he will be putting on a show for the next several years in the NFL.

Is your career in jeopardy?  What is one thing from this list you can do RIGHT NOW to reverse negative momentum?

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