David McQueen

Businessman, speaker, and Founder of All Things Magnificent.

Challenges leaders of corporate and nonprofit companies on being the best around issues such as self leadership, talent management, diversity and corporate social responsibility.

JOSH: Is it realistic to be “happy” at work or is this just some B.S. our “self-esteem” movement parents brainwashed us with?
DAVID: I think it is important to be happy at a place you are going to spend most of our awake hours. When you are working you are using your skills, talents, abilities and your heart and mind. You are mostly part of a community. Of course some jobs are just there to pay the bills but if we really think about it our natural default is to be happy in all areas of our life. Spiritually, Intellectually, Financially, Emotionally, Socially, Physically so why not at work too.

Truth be told though some people do want to be miserable. That is another issue.

JOSH: What rookie mistakes do you see young people commonly making in the business world?
DAVID: Good Lord, where do I start. I think the primary mistake I see young people make is not really taking time out to sense or judge the context of the business world.
This leads directly to a lack of effective communication. For example I have seen graduates lose out in their probationary period of employment because they thought making a cup of tea/coffee or filing was beneath them. I have seen others commit major faux pas in the tone of their emails. It takes but a minute to look around and ask questions, keep your head low and suss out the area you are working in.

JOSH: What’s the biggest career mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?
DAVID: Getting a job when I am unemployable.OK jokes aside my two biggest mistakes were.
1. Phoning up the personal bank of a major investor in a company to confirm they had received our money transfer. Said investor wanted to know how I got those details and was not happy.
2. Sending a sarcastic email about a senior member of staff farting, to that senior member, instead of my colleague. Fortunately they had a good sense of humour and acquiesed to my getting them lunch for the next week.