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Have you ever noticed that some colleagues who never seem to burn the midnight oil still progress faster in their careers? Or wondered why that person who knows everything isn't actually the one in charge? These puzzling workplace dynamics stem from unwritten rules and counterintuitive truths that can take years to discover.

When I entered the professional world, I was convinced that visible hustle—early mornings, late nights, working weekends—was the formula for success. I was working hard, carrying my laptop on family vacations, and making sure everyone knew it. Yet somehow, colleagues who maintained normal hours were advancing alongside me or even surpassing me. The revelation? Smart work beats hard work every time. The most successful professionals identify the few truly important priorities and excel in those areas, rather than trying to do everything.

Similarly, I discovered that leaders at the top don't succeed by knowing everything—they win through curiosity and discernment. They surround themselves with subject-matter experts and focus on asking powerful questions rather than having all the answers. And perhaps most importantly, I learned that your personal values serve as the ultimate career compass. When faced with difficult decisions or disappointing outcomes, aligning your choices with your core values provides clarity that no career handbook can offer.

Whether you're just starting your career journey or looking to course-correct midway, these seven hard-earned lessons provide a roadmap for navigating professional life with greater wisdom and purpose. Which of these principles could transform your approach to work? Take a moment to reflect on how you might implement one this week.

Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com

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Leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about building bridges that connect people, perspectives, and possibilities. Just ask Carol Dover, who has spent three decades as the President and CEO of Florida's Restaurant and Lodging Association, steering the state's economic engine through hurricanes, economic downturns, and political shifts.

In this candid conversation with Shontra Powell, Carol reveals how her winding career path—from waiting tables to becoming Florida's Fire Marshall to serving in the Governor's office—prepared her for leading one of Florida's most powerful industry associations. With refreshing honesty, she shares that many of the challenges she faced when first entering the hospitality world (immigration reform, workforce housing, and minimum wage debates) remain unresolved today, reflecting the cyclical nature of policy work.

"Never burn a bridge," Carol advises, explaining how this principle guided her through three decades of changing administrations and political landscapes. Her integrity-first approach to lobbying helped her achieve what many considered impossible: the repeal of Florida's burdensome drink tax, a victory that took years of patience and compromise to accomplish. For women navigating male-dominated spaces, she offers clear-eyed counsel about maintaining boundaries and professional respect.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Carol courageously shares a deeply personal story she's rarely told publicly. "Giving up is not an option," she explains, a philosophy that has carried her through countless professional challenges.

Whether you're building your career, leading a team, or seeking to make meaningful change in your industry, Carol's wisdom about patience, integrity, and the lost art of compromise offers a masterclass in sustainable leadership. Listen in as two accomplished professionals discuss what it truly takes to transform personal tragedy into purposeful action.

Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com

Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect

Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️

Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️

Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.

I'd love to hear what you think!

Send us a text

What does it take to transform from a foster child and migrant farmworker's daughter into one of the most influential women in global aviation? Lillie Rentz never imagined herself breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, but when opportunity knocked unexpectedly, she answered with a resounding "yes."

In this captivating conversation, Lillie reveals how being in the right place at the right time led to her role directing the first privatized air cargo commercial airport in the United States. With raw honesty, she shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership journey—from losing her father at age seven to being separated from her sisters in foster care, and ultimately finding her voice in aviation boardrooms where few women had ventured before.

But this episode extends far beyond personal triumph. Lillie takes us into the revolutionary world of Advanced Air Mobility, where electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) are poised to transform transportation as we know it. This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. By 2040, what's currently a billion-dollar industry will explode into a trillion-dollar economic powerhouse, creating "skyways in the sky" that could turn a three-hour commute into a twenty-minute flight.

The opportunities are boundless—from management positions to remote monitoring systems that resemble sophisticated gaming setups. For women contemplating career pivots or young professionals seeking emerging fields, Lillir offers profound wisdom: "Don't wait for permission. The world needs what only you can bring."

Whether you're fascinated by cutting-edge technology, searching for career inspiration, or simply love stories of unexpected success, this conversation will leave you looking skyward with newfound possibility. After all, as Lillie reminds us, the sky is not the limit—it's just the beginning.

Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
https://www.provennotperfect.com

Follow me on Instagram at: shontrapowell_provennotperfect

Follow me on Facebook at: Proven Not Perfect™️

Watch and listen on YouTube: Proven Not Perfect™️

Join the community for ideas and events at www.provennotperfect.com.

I'd love to hear what you think!