Big ships and tugboats are entirely different machines, and the captains who steer them serve very different roles.

This rule shows up in our careers -  it’s hard for someone who thrives in a start-up to excel in a large corporation, and the people who are great in corporate would struggle in a more entrepreneurial environment.

There’s nothing wrong with either path, but the key is knowing yourself and placing yourself in the right environment.

What are the key differences between corporate-oriented people and those more suited to startups? In today’s edition of Million Dollar Careers, we talk about the Tugboat Theory and how to use it to get the most out of your career.

Everybody brings skills to the table, you’ve got to know where you sit. If you’re a small company person at heart, don’t go looking for jobs at big companies. -Craig Picken

Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• The root of career friction Why do many entrepreneurial people drown in the corporate world?
• Why you don’t have to bite off more than you can chew Can you set up your career path in such a way that you get the best of both worlds?
• Why startups offer an amazing opportunity How can a corporate worker make the switch to a startup and what makes it such a great move?

Learn More About Your Host:

Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.

Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.