You’re inexperienced, not unqualified 🌳
↩️UNFOLLOW University — July 21, 2023
Happy Friday!
On June 7, 2010, the late Steve Jobs took the stage at the World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco to announce Apple's latest breakthrough release, the iPhone 4.
The tagline read: This changes everything. Again.
He wasn't lying.
I was 6 months into my newly minted role managing social media for RadioShack, their first foray into the space. The announcement signaled the end of my honeymoon phase and represented the first time in RadioShack's 90-year history that the electronics retailer would be a launch-day destination for any Apple device. Previously, we only received iPhones after the national release, and after the competition.
That day, 30 people sandwiched into a conference room to brainstorm crazy options for how on earth we would tell the masses. The product launched in 17 days, which meant we had 7 days to convince customers we were actually selling the device and only 7 hours to say it first.
One by one, our options and hopes dwindled. We were so accustomed to the traditional weapons of marketing warfare - newspaper, direct mail, magazine, TV commercials and radio - that none of the modern ones seemed viable.
“What about social media?” someone asked.
Without warning, every eye in the room swiveled to the back corner where I was hiding.
My heart started karate-kicking in my chest. I sat up in my seat, hoping some other social media manager had magically sprouted up in the room.
Nope, just me.
🤯 Radical Truth
Being inexperienced doesn’t make you unqualified.
Seemingly overnight, social media took center stage at RadioShack. I went from being the last person invited - and the least experienced - to the most important person in the meeting. I learned 3 timeless rules:
Don’t deny your fear.
Fear doesn’t disqualify you.
You can do it afraid.
My job description accelerated from being a nascent, emerging role for niche conversations, to an urgent sales channel for driving business results. What was previously a thermometer - reacting to consumer and business stimuli - became a thermostat, setting the pace for how our brand came to life across 35,000 associates in 27 countries and 6,000 stores.
I had never done any of it before. The business no longer needed someone to manage social media, they needed someone to lead it.
My old approach was no longer sufficient. They needed a visionary and a coach more than a community manager. The business required internal alignment and strategic focus, not just Facebook posts.
It was time for me and social media to grow up.
This transformation from sideshow to ring leader marked one of the most critical milestones in my career. My lack of experience in the company, the role and the marketing channel was actually an invitation to reinvent what success looked like.
All those “failures” from my previous roles became the very seeds for success in social media that year and beyond. I went from writing tweets to running a $7 billion brand.
Oftentimes we overlook how the skills and lessons we’ve acquired in one area are immediately transferable to another. These moments are opportunities, not accidents.
A few examples:
One of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in America was founded by a writer who redefines every rule of the centuries-old industry. 🥃
The world’s most valuable start-up was founded by a photographer with zero Silicon Valley connections. 📸
One of the most award-winning female film directors was a publicist who didn’t pick up a camera until she was 32 years old. 🎬
A ship-builder who refused to carry a gun became one of the highest awarded men in the US Army. 🪖
A shepherd in Saudi Arabia became one of the land’s first lawyers and led the largest migration of refugees at that time. 🐑
Being a courageous beginner can be a competitive advantage if you ask the right questions, question the right answers and pick the right people.
⚡️Courageous Question
Is my inexperience planting seeds of fear? What would a more courageous beginner do in my situation?
🗣 Wonderful Words
“If you feel scared it’s because you are challenging yourself and progressing, not because you are not good enough.”
🙏🏽 Prayer Package
God, there are so many reasons to trust in you but it isn’t always easy. When I’m faced with the reality of my own limitations, let me look to your limitless love. May I rehearse the goodness and abundance you’ve already given. In your name, weakness becomes a weapon to achieve every word you’ve ever spoken - and I am included in every single promise. Fully equip me for the journey ahead and let me find joy along the way. Amen.
🎵 Fear Is Not Welcome - Brian Courtney Wilson 👻
🛠 Practical Tool
Rarely are we starting from zero when stepping into a new challenge. Yes, there are new things to learn but it’s easy to forget how you’ve faced obstacles in the past.
You need reminders more than tutorials.
Consistent baby steps are more important than giant leaps.
Betting smart is more important than betting it all.
Sustainable systems outweigh big visions.
Last year, I reluctantly began using the High Performance Planner after an overly assertive yet trusted recommendation. I was stuck between the goals I wanted to achieve and the grind of building something new. This hybrid journal-planner-calendar-assessment tool has changed everything.
I don’t get a dime from them for recommending it but I do quite often. I’ve bought it for a few friends in similar places. The art of courageous beginnings is hard enough. Take a tool with you.
If you’re new to UNFOLLOW University you can learn more about me here or check out my previous posts.
See you next UNFOLLOW Friday!
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Every Friday I’ll send you 5 courageous ideas to help you redesign your work life by making better career decisions:
🤯 Radical Truth - A story from me
⚡️ Courageous Question - A challenge for you
🗣 Wonderful Words - A quote worth remembering
🙏🏽 Prayer Package - A moment of meditation
🛠 Practical Tool - An actionable resource
