Chris Sullivan
Co-founder and Chairman, Outback Steakhouse
“Listen carefully to those who teach you and make sure you clearly understand the expectations of your employer.”
Name: Chris SullivanFirst Job: Newspaper boy
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Age: 13
Wage: $40/week
Current Job: Co-founder and Chairman, Outback Steakhouse
How was your job different than you thought it would be?
Although I had many neighborhood jobs (mowing lawns, snow removal, washing cars and windows, washing dishes at a YMCA camp) I found the newspaper delivery to be the most challenging. I was responsible for delivery 7 days a week, collections (which were often difficult, especially in the apartment buildings) and doing sales for new accounts.
What important lessons or skills did you learn in your first job that have been instrumental in your success?
I learned discipline, hospitality, timeliness and consistency.
Which of those lessons, and how, carried into subsequent jobs after your first? How do you use those skills in your position today?
I learned that you build upon the skills and eventually they are part of your daily routine and habits.
Have you seen how lacking those first job skills had negative effects on others?
Yes. They are somewhat lost as to what is expected. They need close supervision, so hopefully they find a mentor to take over and guide them.
Is there a specific event in your first job that you learned something you still use today?
During my first week with my newspaper route I delivered the papers on lawns and walkways with threatening weather coming. Over 50% of the papers got soaked, and my supervisor let me have it for not being proactive.
What obstacles that you faced had the greatest impact on your career path?
I have been very fortunate. I don't feel that any obstacles created any major negative impacts for me.
What people or outside factors affected your work ethic or motivated you the most to succeed?
My parents created the environment for work. We had daily and weekly chores, and even as we got older, we got minimal financial support for our non-essential needs.
What advice would you give to someone starting his or her first job?
Listen carefully to those who teach you and make sure you clearly understand the expectations of your employer. Get a job in a great company and find a mentor.
What do you find most rewarding about your position today?
Watching the next generation of talent taking over the day to day operations of the business.
Although I had many neighborhood jobs (mowing lawns, snow removal, washing cars and windows, washing dishes at a YMCA camp) I found the newspaper delivery to be the most challenging. I was responsible for delivery 7 days a week, collections (which were often difficult, especially in the apartment buildings) and doing sales for new accounts.
What important lessons or skills did you learn in your first job that have been instrumental in your success?
I learned discipline, hospitality, timeliness and consistency.
Which of those lessons, and how, carried into subsequent jobs after your first? How do you use those skills in your position today?
I learned that you build upon the skills and eventually they are part of your daily routine and habits.
Have you seen how lacking those first job skills had negative effects on others?
Yes. They are somewhat lost as to what is expected. They need close supervision, so hopefully they find a mentor to take over and guide them.
Is there a specific event in your first job that you learned something you still use today?
During my first week with my newspaper route I delivered the papers on lawns and walkways with threatening weather coming. Over 50% of the papers got soaked, and my supervisor let me have it for not being proactive.
What obstacles that you faced had the greatest impact on your career path?
I have been very fortunate. I don't feel that any obstacles created any major negative impacts for me.
What people or outside factors affected your work ethic or motivated you the most to succeed?
My parents created the environment for work. We had daily and weekly chores, and even as we got older, we got minimal financial support for our non-essential needs.
What advice would you give to someone starting his or her first job?
Listen carefully to those who teach you and make sure you clearly understand the expectations of your employer. Get a job in a great company and find a mentor.
What do you find most rewarding about your position today?
Watching the next generation of talent taking over the day to day operations of the business.
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