In this post, I share some great insight on career success from my discussion with Red McCombs.  In this interview, you’ll learn what it takes to achieve continued success from one of America’s wealthiest people.

I recently had the unique pleasure of interviewing Red McCombs.   If the name sounds familiar, it should.  He is the founder of the Red McCombs Automotive Group (6th largest auto conglomerate in the US), a co-founder of Clear Channel Communications, a former owner of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Vikings, and the namesake of the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin (through a donation of $50 Million).  Still not ringing a bell?  He was also named one of Forbes magazine's top 400 richest Americans in 2005.

A very down-to-earth and humble Texan, Mr. McCombs shared an hour with me in an effort to consolidate decades of experience into some simple career advice that we can all benefit from.  Much of the discussion centered on a few key factors that he attributes to his great success.   The first of which is related to Career Vision.  I’ve always thought that it is essential to have a good idea of where you want to go in your career.  If it’s mapped, getting there should be considerably easier.  To Mr. McCombs, it’s much more important to put your skills in motion. 
 
Don’t visualize it, just do it.  With a true entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. McCombs sought roles that he had an interest in.  It wasn’t necessary to be an expert in it.  Life and work are learning activities.  The more you do, the more you learn.  The important key is to get into the action.  When something new comes along that you like, try it on.  Put your spin on it and see what happens.  He doesn’t believe in the ideal moment to become engaged.  Waiting on it just wastes your time.  

Failure isn’t a bad word.   It didn’t take Mr. McCombs too many years to find his niche in the world of opportunity.  Startup organizations are not enticing to him.  He thrives on taking organizations that aren’t doing so well and improves them.  A big advantage to this type of opportunity is that it always existing.  “People don’t mind letting you fix something that is broken,” he stated.  While everything venture hasn’t been successful, he takes the learning from each one and applies it to the next.  This skill has been finely tuned over the years.  Now, he only tackles the opportunities that he’s sure he can improve upon (a little something decades of experience teaches you).

Work, work, work.  When you are at work, Mr. McCombs suggests that you work.  You don’t think about it.  You don’t talk about it.  You don’t plan for it.  You do it.  You put your heart and soul into what you do.  Having passion for your efforts is a big key to continued success.  If you love what you do, you’ll get better and better. It will cease to be work.  It will become your passion.  This will drive you to succeed.  At age 25, Mr. McCombs owned his first Ford Dealership.  Now, he owns more than 50 of them nationwide, which is obviously a testament to his passion for taking advantage of opportunities.

Leave it at the office.  All of his success didn’t blind him to the obligations he chose in life.  Mr. McCombs is very dedicated to his wife, children and grandchildren.  “I put the same determination, effort and attention into my family that I put into my work.”  This helps him to ensure a balance between working and living.  Mr. McCombs stated several times that “home is sacred.”  He doesn’t answer the phone or email when he leaves the office.  He puts his focus right where it belongs, on those who need it.

 Mr. McCombs has also made a name for himself as a philanthropist.  He’s donated $30 million to support cancer research at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.  Contributions have also been made to The University of Texas’ Women’s Athletic Department, Southwestern University, local charities and schools in the St. Paul/Minneapolis area, and the University of Minnesota Women’s Athletics Department.  Mr. McCombs’ generosity is staggering and a great example on how to handle success; that is, by helping others achieve their own.

Thanks, Mr. McCombs.  I truly appreciate your time, consideration and valuable advice.