3 Career-Changing Concepts 💼

Each month, The Yo Pro features experienced leaders as Guest Writers to share wisdom and equip the next generation. Using a Start, Stop, and Continue model, they reflect on lessons learned from life and work as previous young professionals.

So, as we close out April 2025, enjoy story and insights from Sawyer Dunigan, Managing Director, Institutional Equity Sales at Stephens Inc. — you're in for a treat!

I am wildly intrigued by numbers, and I am interested in all types of people. I enjoy solving complex equations and developing deep relationships.

Unfortunately, “number crunching” and being a “people person” do not often join in perfect harmony from a career perspective. Fortunately, I have landed in financial sales where I am constantly able to be surrounded by numbers and people - all at the same time. I enjoy my work (almost) every day, and I enjoy the people I work with every single day. The “dream job”!

I am a salesperson in the financial services industry, but I am also a husband, dad, son, foster parent, church member, city council member, youth sports coach, and more. 

As a thirty-something, I wear more hats today than I ever anticipated. But as I reflect on my first decade “adulting” and my professional career, one thing stands out above the rest:

“It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

Cliché? Yes.

True? Yes.

This is one on the most overused phrases in the history of Corporate America, but beneath the surface, I find so much value in the simplicity of this principle.

From being hired as a 21 year old fresh out of undergrad to being in my early-thirties with 10+ years of industry experience, the people I know (and continue to meet) have been instrumental in the places, roles, and situations I have found myself in - many of which I would have never imagined possible. I owe so much to my family, friends, mentors, teammates, clients, and acquaintances who have propelled me every step of the way.

You are only as good as the people you have around you, and you are only as strong as the people you have in your corner.

To take it a step further, I should say it is not just about who knows you. It is about who you know.

So, what should you do with that thought?

1. Seek Jesus

2. Seek Others

3. Seek Depth

We live in a broken world full of broken people, but I (and you) can place hope and trust in the one who cannot, does not, and will not fail.

Because of this, the stress of climbing the corporate ladder, insatiable desire for career advancement, and constant need for more (money, power, status, possessions, recognition, etc.) is severely lessened.

This is extremely freeing in my professional life and personal life, and I grow to appreciate this more and more with each passing day.

I am in sales, so relationship building is a must.

We all know the stereotype for a salesperson - big personality, loud, fun, boisterous, cheerful, etc. What I’ve found, however, is that the bosses, colleagues, clients, and friends where I have spent more time being intentional, asking purposeful questions, and listening are usually the ones where I develop the most relational depth (and longevity).

Going back to point 1 (knowing Jesus), the Gospels list over 300 times that Jesus asked questions and only 3 times that he directly answered a question.

Jesus was the most intentional and thoughtful question-asker of all time. We would all do well to emulate Him in this area.

Life isn’t always easy. Neither is your career.

Therefore, be vulnerable. Be willing to share the good, bad, and ugly with others.

Letting other people behind the curtain of your life will break down so many walls in this world of image-driven perfection we live in. Sometimes the easiest way to get to know someone else is to let them know you first (this is a never-ending work in progress for me).

Some applications of this principle might practically look like this:

🎬 START

• Seeking out people you want to know better.

• Making a plan with measurable goals for cultivating new and deeper relationships.

• To be more intentional.

🛑 STOP

• Dragging your feet.

• Saying yes to everything thrown your way — leave space and time to be available for the right opportunities and right relationships.

• Trying to impress everyone.

💪 CONTINUE

• Being yourself. Authenticity is critical in knowing and being known.

• To nurture the existing relationships in your life — don’t forget who got you to where you are today.

• In your faith — see Colossians 1:23.

As always, let us know how we can help you on your journey.

In Your Corner.

See you next Tuesday!