What They Didn't Teach Me In School

I consider myself lucky. I went to a decent school and had a good education. As I look now at how I see the world versus how it was explained to me - there's a big difference.

In a secondary comprehensive school in Sheffield in the 1980's, I was ignorant of how the world really works.

They didn't teach me...

• How businesses actually work. What is "marketing", what is "operations", how financial reports work, the difference between revenue and cash etc.

• You don't have to make a career choice, your career can choose you - you just need to try different things and find out what you're good at.

• There is no "right answer". There can be many ways to solve a problem and it's your job to figure it out.

• Small companies are very different to big ones.

• Success in a career is mostly the result of pure hard work whilst being trustworthy and approachable.

• You define what success is for you. No-one else.

• You are the only person that can make yourself happy. No-one else.

• On any journey, you will need to overcome obstacles. Develop ability and willing to navigate obstacles.

• Your biggest advantage is not your experience or knowledge, it's your curiousity and tenacity. "Why can't we do it this way?" is more powerful than "it should be done this way".

• "Best practice" is like looking in the rear view mirror. There is always a better way. Best practice is only the best so far.

What about you? What have you learnt that they didn't teach you in school?