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Oprah and Melinda Gates Offered the Exact Same Career Advice, and It’s Pure Gold
A lot of career advice boils down to various ways to fit in with whatever group you aspire to join. That’s why people tell you to “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” to network with those you admire, and to police your tone to sound more “professional,” among tons of other tips along these lines.
But at least two incredibly successful women have exactly the opposite take. Sure, being mindful of others and the norms of your industry is always a good idea. But, according to these two titans, the real secret to career advancement (especially for women) isn’t fitting in. It’s being more truly yourself.
“Fitting in is overrated”
The latest superstar to offer this take is Melinda Gates, who joined an incredible roster of women in sharing their memories and insights for National Geographic’s special issue focusing on the lives of women around the world. It’s produced exclusively by women writers and photographers.
When the magazine asked Gates for her number one piece of advice for young women, she was blunt in her recommendation.
“Fitting in is overrated,” she replied. “I spent my first few years at my first job out of college doing everything I could to make myself more like the…
