Hi ,
Years of delivering "perfectly" on complex data science assignments got me nowhere.
One simple solution I proposed myself got me promoted...
The last time I received a grade of less than an A was when I was 15 and forced to do P.E.
Since then, I went on to complete 4 degrees - all with perfect GPAs.
I'm not saying this to brag, but rather to make a point. I was the poster-child for academic success.
What it all came down to was learning how to play the game.
Put in the hours of hard work. Perfectly match the assignment specs.
Simple, once you know the rules.
Many data scientists I've met have similar stories.
Here's the thing...
Despite landing me my first jobs, my early academic success ultimately set me up for career failure.
I expected that continuing to follow instructions and deliver high-quality work would lead to rapid promotion - instead it just kept me stuck.
The breakthrough for me came by pure chance.
I was chatting with a senior stakeholder about a problem she was facing.
I told her how I'd solve it -
nothing very complex. But to my surprise, she looked at me and said "OK. Go do it.".
Years of hard work executing "perfectly" on others' tasks hadn't gotten me far.
But that one simple solution, that I proposed myself, got me the promotion I so desperately
desired.
That's when I realised the rules of the game had changed.
Perfect execution was no longer the key - identifying high value problems and solving them was what really mattered.
School assignments were only ever meant for skill acquisition. Assignment creation is what counts in the business world.
So if you're looking for career growth here's my question for you:
Are you waiting for better
assignments to drop in your lap, or are you actively looking for problems worth solving?
Your answer may determine where your career goes from here.
Talk again soon,
Dr Genevieve Hayes.
p.s. I'm launching something special next week to help data scientists create these breakthrough moments deliberately rather than leaving them to chance.
It's a 4-week program where I'll work with you 1-on-1 to develop a
ready-to-pitch project proposal that showcases your strategic thinking to management. Only 3-5 spots are available, with sessions starting in July-August 2025.
Reply with the word "WAITLIST" to join the waiting list and get all the details this Friday - 3 days before Monday's official launch!
