UPTHINKING FINANCE

• [3:44] What Darci’s unique career trajectory was built on
• [9:52] How Darci knew the environment she’d be successful in
• [13:50] Why Darci believes standing out isn’t something to pursue
• [17:12] How Darci strives to live a life of integrity
• [23:31] Why your focus can’t always be the next job title
• [31:10] How to find success in the corporate world
• [33:41] Pursue what your heart wants and the rest will come

Darci was always drawn to politics, the judicial system, and the law. While Darci originally wanted to be an attorney, she decided to focus on the business side of the legal field. She realized she would have more options to pursue other life interests on the administrative side. Darci has always strived to live a life where she can shift gears whenever she wants to.

Darci worked to develop expertise so she could move into federal law because it is consistent across the US, which meant that she could be marketable across the country. She continued to acquire expertise that she could build on.

Darci was recruited by a law firm to run some larger departments. It was a great opportunity and she learned a lot. However, something happened that made her realize it wasn’t the right fit. One night, she came home to multiple messages from a trial attorney, desperately looking for 30 + paralegals to help prepare for a trial—and they needed them the next day. 

Darci made some calls and by 2 am, she had everything set for the attorneys for the next day. She left them a message saying the 30 people they needed would be waiting in the conference room for them at 9 am. They were dumbfounded that she accomplished that for them. 

And she was shocked that they didn’t think she was capable of making it happen. She wanted to work somewhere where she was expected to give the best that she could give. Darci strives to live a whole life. Darci didn’t want to work in an environment where she stood out and got patted on the back. She wanted to be in an environment where she could be who she is. You can’t accomplish the best for a company when you’re too busy trying to stand out. 

When you do the best you can do and treat people fairly, you stand out the way you should. The greatest privilege in life is to be able to live who you are. There’s nothing wrong with achievements. But you don’t want to get to a point where you’re a person divided. 

Darci likes to be challenged. The New York-based firm recruited Darci back, but to their LA firm. The office was a mess. She was warned by friends and family to avoid that office because it could potentially ruin her career. But she knew the administrator and the firm, so she knew that she’d be allowed to do what she needed to fix the areas she’d be responsible for.

One week after she got there, she assessed the problems and knew how to fix them. But she was told she needed to cut staff. She refused to do it. She knew with time she could fix the problems without letting people go. She requested three months and threatened to leave if they didn’t allow her to do things the way she knew was right. 

She met their numbers within one month and had to hire employees, not cut them. From there on out, she was never told what to do. Instead, they asked for her thoughts, opinions, and how she would solve problems. She stood her ground. Darci will never put herself in a position where she can’t leave an undesirable situation. 

Why shouldn’t your focus always be the next job title? How do you find success in the corporate world? Darci shares some wisdom from her experience in the corporate world in this episode of Upthinking Finance™. Don’t miss it!

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• Excellent Sheep by William Deresiewicz