Do You Have a Push Or Pull Mindset?

You can have a 'push'
Or 'pull' mindset.

Push means you look to follow an agenda or syllabus. You are highly programmable, seek guidance, and execute.

Pull means you’re thinking for yourself. You are the author of your destiny. Drawing on your experience and intuition, you ski new tracks and explore new areas. Not everything is perfect: dead ends, near life threatening cliffs, icy days are all part of the journey.

Most junior / VP-level people default to a "push" mindset. Schooling, IB analyst programs, PE deal execution roles reward this style.

Successful Partners think about their job as a small business within a larger organization. Rather than asking for direction, they read the Investment Committee and pull appropriate deals and management teams towards them.

I can hear a "push" or "pull" mindset in the first moments I speak to potential clients:
* 'push' clients say "what do you help other clients with? Can I speak to other people who work with you about what you help them with" -- while they have interest, they haven't owned their own path and still seek instruction

*'pull' clients say "I have a problem that I'd like your help with. If you help me address this, then I will get more of what I want." These clients have taken ownership, are thinking big picture, and are looking for a guide to help them clear out the obstacles and forge ahead.

Are you being fully accountable for your destiny? What are you doing about it?

Special thanks to legendary leadership coach Lance Secretan for stirring all of these fresh thoughts in me!

#privateequity #privatecredit #growthequity #growthmindset