Secrets to success hinge on building trust, planning ahead

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—Whether she knows it or not, Alex Buck is a builder of things—careers, trust and even proverbial bridges.

Throughout her career—one that started in law, moved into the tech industry and later landed in logistics and supply chain management—she's a learned a thing or two about building those things. During her presentation at the Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum, Buck, who serves as group president of supply chain solutions at Quantix Supply Chain Solutions L.L.C., shared what it takes to build those critical components of trust and success into your career.

And it all starts with a vision.

Setting long-term career goals is a good thing. But life changes even the best laid plans. Sometimes, what you thought you really wanted at one moment, isn't really what you wanted in another.

This is why five-year plans matter.

And as you piece it together, be sure to break it down with someone you trust whole-heartedly. Someone who isn't afraid to challenge you and force you to dig deeper into your abilities, strengths and vision.

In other words, Buck said, "partner with someone who is going to call B.S. on you. … It has got to be (someone) that will say, 'hmm. You're full of it.' Because you have to ask yourself some hard questions that, if you aren't honest with yourself, it's hard to figure out what your goal is.

"For me, that (person) is my husband. We usually have two bottles of wine, we have this huge Post-It note and take off all the paintings off one wall, and we sit for three hours and we go through this plan."

As you work through forming and critiquing your five-year plan, challenge yourself with a series of questions that will help keep you focused and honest. Ask:

• What motivates you?
• What do you most like doing at work?
• What do hate doing at work?
• What are you good at?
• What are you bad at?

Then, once you've worked through those questions and you have that vision of where you want to go—either short or long term—find someone who has the job you want. Learn more about their skills, backgrounds and strengths. Find ways to align your action plan with that resume by focusing on developing the skills, education and experience you need to achieve it.

When it comes to building trust, one of the best ways to do that is to be vulnerable—humble. Simply, Buck said, admit when you make a mistake.

To yourself, yes. And others, too.

"When you make a mistake, own it," Buck said. "Walk into your boss's office and say: I screwed up."

Because mistakes are part of the growing process, and you're bound to learn from them along the way. The key, of course, is understanding why the error occurred and working to ensure that is doesn't happen again.

But in owning the mistake, talking through how it happened and why it won't be repeated establishes lines of trust with the people who work with you.

"It makes you seem like a problem solver, because you are," Buck said. … It is pivotal in gaining trust from executives, board members, colleagues. And I think it is pivotal to my advancement."

Success, like trust, is something you build.

And in the case of success, simple planning goes a long way. When you plan carefully, you'll not only find success, Buck said, you'll build trust along the way.

That all starts with promising only what you can deliver. Aim high, but don't overshoot on your promises. Whether that's a project timeline, a sales goal, delivery date or anything else.

"It is really easy to be very optimistic," Buck said, noting that when she plans carefully, she prepares for the worst-case scenarios. "… In my back pocket, I have levers I know I can pull. And, if everything goes my way, I know that I am going to over-perform like crazy. If everything does not go my way, I am going to have de-risked what I promised and still promise what I deliver.

"De-risk what you promise," she said. "It will pay off in dividends."

Authenticity matters. And while it's true that confidence will carry you through some tough or uncomfortable situations, you can't lose your authenticity.

"You have got to be genuine," Buck said. "You have got to be candid."

Because trust is built when you're willing to be authentic.

For Buck, personally, that meant finding ways to connect with colleagues—often male colleagues—in ways that weren't insincere.

"In terms of social dynamics—because I am the only woman on our executive team and logistics is a very male-dominated industry—I don't play golf, I don't know anything about the NFL and I don't smoke cigars.

"But," Buck said, "I love college basketball, I play poker and I drink bourbon. And so, I am like: I can work with this. So when they are talking golf or NFL, I just move the conversation to something that is still 'bro-y' but I feel confident and genuine talking about it."

Mentors play critical roles in our lives personally and professionally. They help us understand more about ourselves, our capabilities and the industries we navigate.

But champions? They're going to push you. They're not only going to teach you more about your capabilities, they're going to do it by challenging you to take the next step and push you to feel just a bit uncomfortable.

And that's a good thing. Because that place outside your comfort zone is the place you grow.

"It is really about finding champions, not mentors," Buck said.

More than that, she told attendees: Be a champion for someone else.

"One of the things that I am trying to do is be a champion for other women," Buck said. "We have so many talented women in this room, I urge you to not be mentors. Be champions. Seek out women … that you find a connection with, that you feel you can help. Just do it."

Because in the end, you'll find success, too.

"Selfishly, it's really rewarding when you see them succeed."