“Prove them right.” This was how Greg Hughes, Executive Vice President, Communications, NBC Sports responded when I asked him about his career success. Greg is currently immersed in Olympic and Super Bowl coverage and the NBA season and is ready for MLB Sunday night baseball. During dinner with Greg and his wife Lisa, he shared that he had spent the day with Bob Costas regarding the upcoming baseball season for NBC. 

People ask me how I know Greg. The answer is through a mutual friend in Janesville, Wisconsin named Sam Loizzo. Sam passed a few years back. I knew Sam because we taught in the same school district. Greg had Sam as a teacher and stayed in touch with him. In fact, Greg did the eulogy at Sam’s funeral. 

Greg is the youngest of four boys. He grew up in a middle-class family. There were 512 graduates in his class at Craig High School, and his ranking was right in the middle. He then went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin. 

All of this is very good. However, my guess is that when he was in high school, if someone said, “Someday, will Greg be working with Michael Jordan, be part of a few worldwide sporting events, and be over all internal communications for NBC sports?” the answer may not have been, “Of course.”  

So, back to my question. I said Greg, “Your career success is phenomenal. What do you feel is the main driver?”

He answered, “My philosophy is to prove whoever hired me right.”

I love this. It is so positive. When a person offers someone a job, they do so because they believe the candidate has the passion and skills (or can attain the skills) to be successful. There are times when a person puts their reputation and even their own job on the line to hire you. Work hard to prove them right.

A few tips:

1. Don’t be shy about asking for feedback. Also, let others know you can handle feedback.

2. Ask questions. At times, someone may not want to ask a question out of concern they will look stupid. But asking questions is never stupid.

3. Be curious. My experience is that curious people are seekers. They seek solutions. They seek to know how things work and how things can be better. Because they know the workings, they also become good teachers.

4. Be a team player and relationship builder. In our conversation, not once did Greg use the word “I.” It was about how he appreciated people who invested and continue to invest in him. He shared he would be spending almost the next four weeks on the road with his boss. I then asked him about his boss. He said, “He is great!” Part of being a good relationship builder is speaking highly of your leaders.

5. Give back. Due to work, Greg lives in New York City. Before that he lived in Atlanta. He has been gone from Janesville a long time. Yet he owns restaurants in Janesville, is regularly on the local sports show hosted by John Barry, and is active in local philanthropy.

I often pinch myself on how fortunate I am to know so many wonderful people. Greg is one of those individuals. 

He is a living reminder that “prove them right” isn’t just a career strategy, it’s a daily mindset. We succeed when we decide each day to live in a way that honors the trust someone placed in us.

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Quint Studer is the author of 16 books on leadership in the workplace and the community. His book “Building a Vibrant Community” is a valuable resource for civic leaders, business owners, and all citizens who have a stake in building a community. He can be reached at Quint@QuintStuder.com.