In early 1997, I knew I was getting out of the Navy. A few months earlier, I nearly took a swing at my boss which was the inspiration to start a career building and developing managers. I volunteered to teach in the Command’s Total Quality Leadership (TQL) program and loved it. I took a major role in our TLQ journey and convinced my Command to attend a training conference in Seattle, put on with what was then the American Society of Training and Development (now known as ATD). I was excited to finally attend something that was perfectly aligned with my post-Navy career intention.
Right about that time, Tiger Woods was competing in his first Masters tournament as a professional. Everyone wondered how he would do considering as an amateur, he didn’t play as well in the Masters. It didn’t take long for the field to realize that Tiger was the real deal. He won the Masters by 12 strokes, the first of what would be five victories at Augusta.
(In a related story, when my wife was married to her first husband, an avid golfer, they were golfing at the Los Alamitos golf course in Seal Beach, CA. A guy and his kid asked to play through. Barb’s ex was jealous and annoyed when the kids crushed the ball off the tee. He couldn’t believe a kid could do better than him. When they went to the clubhouse, he found out the kid was a young Tiger Woods playing with his dad Earl).
In his first real test as a pro, Tiger did not disappoint.
I decided to wear civilian clothes to the seminar. I also designed up some business cards with my name and personal email address. I didn’t want to be there representing the Navy. I wanted to represent me. But I was wondering if I could really be relevant on the outside after nearly 15 years of active duty.
- Did I really belong there, or should I have stayed at work?
- Even with my MA degree, would I know enough to not embarrass myself?
- What did I have to offer these civilians that they didn’t already know?
As it happens, I felt like Tiger Woods at the Masters! I facilitated some breakouts, answered questions, gave input on discussions, exchanged business cards, and the training manager for a large retail mobile stereo chain asked me when I was getting out of the Navy as he had an opening. It was exhilarating. And I knew I would make it on the outside. Like Tiger, I did not disappoint.
Those last 18 months in the Navy crawled by. I channeled my new-found confidence into a part-time adjunct teaching job in the evenings. I liked wearing a tie and being called Professor Munro instead of Petty Officer Munro. When I got out, I had enough good civilian mentors that my transition to civilian life was relatively seamless.
Writing this now, a couple of decades later, I still feel that sense of excitement at that conference. And of that entire experience.
Those experiences build confidence. The more we have them, the bigger the challenges we can overcome. I’m the old guy at conferences these days. I give talks now. But nothing makes me happier than when I see young people come up with the excitement in their eyes about this career. It brings happy memories.
What is something you’re not sure you should attempt? Think about your reasons. There’s a chance many of your reasons are self-generated by fear. You know it as imposter syndrome. If you’re trying something new, you’re no imposter. You’re courageous.
Tiger did it. I managed to do it. You can too.
