Recently I had the privilege of meeting with a group of leaders in Brazil to talk about a wide range of topics. I was inspired by the depth and breadth of questions about leading a successful career, dealing with challenges head on, and leading a good life with work and personal obligations.

It also was a very personal reminder of how challenging and rewarding a career can be.

I believe we all have inside us a desire to grow and achieve more in our careers. Sometimes it seems like we are stuck and nothing seems to get us unstuck in our career. Other times opportunities come our way and like the title picture of this article, it hits us like a sunburst through the trees and we instantly have this jolt of energy and optimism that didn't exist a moment ago.

Below are six key areas that I've learned over my career that I believe have helped people advance in their career.

1. Think like an owner. We make hundreds of decisions every week in our jobs. If you made every decision like you owned the business how might this change your decisions? Dan Neary has been a lifelong mentor of mine from his days working a night shift janitor job at the University of Iowa during his graduate studies to his 10 year term as CEO of Mutual of Omaha insurance company. His advice to me and his four children? "Think like an owner" at all times.
2. Initiate things. Every organization has opportunities to improve. New technologies, changes in the market conditions, or changes in the organization itself all present opportunities for someone to step up with a new idea to improve things. Be that person. Go that extra step to make positive change happen. Adopt problems and solve them even if not in your direct responsibility. Be careful however when outside your direct area of responsibility - use diplomacy, and donate your skills to support others appropriately. Pro-Tip: Seek to truly understand what matters most to the organization - what are the goals and priorities that really move the needle and how can you get involved in changing them for the better? You can work incredibly hard on something only to realize later that it doesn't move the needle on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the firm.
3. Develop emotional intelligence. Change often comes with disagreements and sometimes those disagreements evolve into conflict. It takes a mature person to hold these conflicts in mind and navigate through them to the best outcomes. Try to see all sides of an issue, where people are coming from, and identify the merit in opposing positions. Strive to form positive outcomes in a way that builds stronger relationships for all. Run towards conflicts and help resolve them.
4. Practice rapid mastery. When you are thrust into a new environment or change is upon you, be a quick study and start to deliver value as fast as you can. This doesn't mean start talking or giving directions, but it does mean take some actions that will propel you and the organization forward in a timely manner. The newer the environment is to you the better. If you don't have any new opportunities like this, seek them out in your job or in your community.
5. Lifelong learner. Be curious, ask questions, and commit to learning throughout your lifetime. You won't regret it. Make it a state of mind. Pro-Tip:Seeking feedback on our own performance is a part of lifelong learning as well. Stay humble, stay open to learning new things, even about yourself no matter what stage your career is in.
6. Work hard. Dedicate yourself to the cause, whatever the cause is. If you don't think you are involved in a cause that is worthy, find a cause worthy to sink your life into. Pour yourself into your job. It won't always be easy, but it will be rewarding. Always do your best at your primary role, but do demonstrate your capacity to contribute beyond your role whenever and wherever you can. Just don't skip the part about doing good at your current responsibilities.

One final thought: Getting promoted is like a dance, as in "it takes two to tango". There has to be the opportunity for advancement, and you have to put yourself in a position to be considered when the moment arrives. As your career progresses there are fewer positions at the top and selecting candidates for promotion are more difficult. A lot of times it's not just whether you can do the job, it's whether or not you can do the job and take the job to the next level vs. other candidates. I've seen the above six areas make a difference for many people in my career. I'd love to hear your ideas on what you have seen work for you or others.

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Please help spread the word by sharing The River with your network with an encouraging word asking others to check it out. A special thank you to those of you who have posted comments to share your experience and advice. I'm grateful as these interactions inspire me.