Having been surrounded by MBA's and MBA type A people over the course of the last several years, it is abundantly clear that their goal in the long run is to be a rainmaker of some sort. A leader in whatever industry they choose where they make decisions that have impact, become thought leaders and executives in that field and earn a lot of money. This can be true for start-up executives, media people, investment bankers, consultants, private equity guys, venture capitalists, hedge fund investors, brand managers, etc. One could even extend this to doctors, to lawyers and to any professional services. They want to be "the man" in their field (fyi, women can also be "the man"). I have a theory of how you get there just through the people I have met and those who I have observed to be successful. You need to do one of three things:
1) Have a Career Path and Move Up-This seems obvious but it is much easier said than done. When you join an investment bank or consulting firm, there is a very clear career path. You work for x number of years get promoted along the way, become partner and boom you are a rainmaker (I know that is oversimplifying it but you know what I mean). The same can be said for corporate jobs in the right situation. However, for this to work, it takes a lot more than just moving up the ladder. You need to be good at the job, you need to like the job and the business has to be able to accommodate this path (through growth, changes, expansion, lack of attrition). A lot has to go right and timing may play a role. However, I do believe that longevity can get you there in the right situation.
2) Start Something on Your Own-Everyone automatically equates this to a tech start-up, but it can be anything: internet site, restaurant, hedge fun, shoe store, perfume brand. If you are the first or an early team member of something that is being built from the start and is successful you can quickly become successful. Obviously, there are a lot of challenges with this, including market factors, timing, execution, team dynamics and competitive forces. However, if you build something and it grows, you can hit the home run. You can do this internally at a big company as well. Start a product or a group. Expand into a new market. There are endless possibilities. I think Google is the best at fostering internal start-ups.
3) Have a Great Senior Executive Mentor Who Takes Care of You-When you look at some of the most successful executives, they have aligned themselves with senior people and have followed them around from place to place. They basically will do anything for them (writing speeches, putting together board presentations, even getting coffee) just to keep them appeased and build trust. In return, these senior executives invest in the careers of the junior people and help them become a senior executive themselves, granting them access to their unlimited Rolodex. The senior executive grooms them and helps them grow professionally, providing access to lessons and positions that would have never been possible without this relationship. The junior person follows the senior person from job to job and gets more senior with each role.
So my advice to everyone looking to pick a job or career path. Think it over and make sure you have one of these three things met. On the flip side, you may be quick to dismiss your current job as not meeting these three criteria and that would be the wrong attitude. You can make it happen at your current job. Look for that mentor or try to start something internally that you can take ownership over and grow. It is always possible.
