David Pivnick

And then the second thing that came to mind, which is probably less given, but I've certainly heard a variety of times over the years, and maybe I hear it more than the average, is just try and fit in. Don't stand out. And I think those are just both generally bad pieces of advice in some ways for the same reasons. But, you know, the notion of good things come to those who wait.

I mean, first of all, I think that is an inherent excuse. And the people offering that advice are often offering it because they're about to tell you no, just something that you're looking to accomplish or somewhere you're trying to go. And so right off the bat, I think it's a bit of a,

I mean, first of all, I think that is an inherent excuse. And the people offering that advice are often offering it because they're about to tell you no, just something that you're looking to accomplish or somewhere you're trying to go. And so right off the bat, I think it's a bit of a,

I mean, first of all, I think that is an inherent excuse. And the people offering that advice are often offering it because they're about to tell you no, just something that you're looking to accomplish or somewhere you're trying to go. And so right off the bat, I think it's a bit of a,

huge piece of advice where it's usually being offered by someone who has a vested interest in the recipients of that advice waiting.

huge piece of advice where it's usually being offered by someone who has a vested interest in the recipients of that advice waiting.

huge piece of advice where it's usually being offered by someone who has a vested interest in the recipients of that advice waiting.

Yeah, no, and I hit the head on that example, and that is an unfortunate one. But I think it's also just generally, if you have things in mind, if you've got targets and goals, You need to be realistic about it. You can't just decide I'm going to accomplish, I'm going to make a billion dollars and then be disappointed the next day.

Yeah, no, and I hit the head on that example, and that is an unfortunate one. But I think it's also just generally, if you have things in mind, if you've got targets and goals, You need to be realistic about it. You can't just decide I'm going to accomplish, I'm going to make a billion dollars and then be disappointed the next day.

Yeah, no, and I hit the head on that example, and that is an unfortunate one. But I think it's also just generally, if you have things in mind, if you've got targets and goals, You need to be realistic about it. You can't just decide I'm going to accomplish, I'm going to make a billion dollars and then be disappointed the next day.

There's not a shortcut here, but the general notion of sitting around idle or waiting and just maintaining the status quo and hoping things develop, I just think is poor advice. In a career context, taking initiative, showing confidence, that you can be a leader, that you can take on meaningful tasks, that you can continue to progress is going to help you then progress.

There's not a shortcut here, but the general notion of sitting around idle or waiting and just maintaining the status quo and hoping things develop, I just think is poor advice. In a career context, taking initiative, showing confidence, that you can be a leader, that you can take on meaningful tasks, that you can continue to progress is going to help you then progress.

There's not a shortcut here, but the general notion of sitting around idle or waiting and just maintaining the status quo and hoping things develop, I just think is poor advice. In a career context, taking initiative, showing confidence, that you can be a leader, that you can take on meaningful tasks, that you can continue to progress is going to help you then progress.

I think there's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy in either direction there. If you keep waiting, you're going to just keep waiting. And if you try and take action, I think you're much more likely to accomplish those goals. And I think the second part of the other advice that I mentioned, bad advice, is the case would be in terms of just just try and blend in. You don't want to stand out.

I think there's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy in either direction there. If you keep waiting, you're going to just keep waiting. And if you try and take action, I think you're much more likely to accomplish those goals. And I think the second part of the other advice that I mentioned, bad advice, is the case would be in terms of just just try and blend in. You don't want to stand out.

I think there's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy in either direction there. If you keep waiting, you're going to just keep waiting. And if you try and take action, I think you're much more likely to accomplish those goals. And I think the second part of the other advice that I mentioned, bad advice, is the case would be in terms of just just try and blend in. You don't want to stand out.

I think people hear that kind of advice at a corporate setting all the time. I've only worked at one of the law firms, but I felt that law firm, certainly in the office of the department I was in at that point, which was two decades ago now, so I'm sure it's much different, but I felt like they expected a cookie-cutter associate. And that's not me. That's never been me in anything I've done.

I think people hear that kind of advice at a corporate setting all the time. I've only worked at one of the law firms, but I felt that law firm, certainly in the office of the department I was in at that point, which was two decades ago now, so I'm sure it's much different, but I felt like they expected a cookie-cutter associate. And that's not me. That's never been me in anything I've done.

I think people hear that kind of advice at a corporate setting all the time. I've only worked at one of the law firms, but I felt that law firm, certainly in the office of the department I was in at that point, which was two decades ago now, so I'm sure it's much different, but I felt like they expected a cookie-cutter associate. And that's not me. That's never been me in anything I've done.

And I think it really put a ceiling for me on what I would be able to accomplish there. Because I was so focused on trying to look like everybody else. And I'm not like everybody else. And so coming to McGuire Woods, and frankly, working with you and Jeff Clark and others, who basically said, you know, we've got to work, but let you go run it, do it as you see fitting and trusted me