What no one teaches you about success

In college—and especially in the professional world—we’re taught to focus on the checklist:

Build the perfect resume.
Ace the interview.
Grow the network.
Sharpen the skills.

And while all of that matters, here’s something I’ve learned the hard way:
You can do everything “right” and still miss the point.

What’s rarely emphasized—yet deeply powerful—is kindness. And even more so, empathy.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t always lead with either.

Like many in my generation, I grew up with the belief that you have to look out for yourself first. Somewhere along the way, we started to associate success with self-preservation. That to be driven, you had to be detached. That prioritizing others came second—if at all.

But over time, life taught me otherwise.

Not through a single defining moment, but through small, sometimes painful lessons. Missed connections. Opportunities lost. People hurt. And the quiet, unsettling feeling that being "right" didn’t always mean doing right by others.

I’m not a poster child for perfect behavior, but I am someone who’s committed to becoming a better version of myself every day. I try to lead with kindness in every situation. I listen more. I make space for others. I try to be the person I would’ve needed when I was younger.

Kindness isn’t the opposite of ambition. It’s the foundation for meaningful, lasting success.

So maybe you won’t see “kindness” listed as a required skill on a job description. But don’t underestimate it. In the long run, it’s what builds trust, earns respect, and opens doors that no resume ever could.

We need more of it—in our classrooms, our companies, our communities.
I owe it to those I’ve learned from, and to those coming after me, to keep choosing empathy.

Every single day.