McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has some career advice for those with a “thick skin.”
In a Dec. 10 Instagram video titled “Tough Love with the McDonald’s CEO,” Kempczinski revealed the professional advice he would give people “if you weren’t afraid to hurt their feelings.”
That advice is, “No one cares about your career more than you.”
Even if you have a great boss or mentor, it’s rare to have “someone who cares about you and makes sure you get that opportunity,” Kempczinski says.
Don’t wait for someone else to guide your career, he says. “You have to establish a career for yourself. You have to make things happen for yourself.”
Bonnie Hammer, former vice president of NBCUniversal, appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” in May and shared similar advice for young professionals.
In her opinion, Gen Z workers are “much less ready” to hustle than previous generations, she told “Squawk Box.”
“Their assumption is, ‘I went to college. I got a degree. I was always told that when I graduate, I’ll get a job. If I get really good grades, I’ll get a great job.’ And that’s not what’s happening,” Hammer said.
Instead, young professionals need to “create opportunities for themselves,” she says.
To get ahead, Hammer said, new graduates need to “raise their hands” and volunteer at “every opportunity that exists.”
Advice he still relies on
In another video posted to Instagram earlier this month, Kempczinski shared tips he received early in his career that he says he still follows. It is said to be “organize.”
Kempczinski prioritizes keeping his workspace clean, saying, “If you look at my inbox, my inbox is pretty clean. My desk is pretty clean. My computer doesn’t have a lot of clutter.”
Having a clean environment allows him to stay focused on “what’s most important,” he said.
Organization consultant Marie Kondo also champions the benefits of an organized workspace.
“When your office space is organized, you’re more efficient because you’re using your time more productively,” she told CNBC Make It in 2017.
Being organized can make a “real difference in your career,” she said, “making you more comfortable in your office space, which contributes to your overall performance and creativity.”
According to Barbara Corcoran, the secret to success is having a well-organized schedule. For 2024, Corcoran said her method is to make a list of her top priorities and “kick them all into” her calendar ahead of time.
She assigns each task on her list to a specific day. “I put all the household chores I want to accomplish on Tuesday morning, (and) I do all my organizational projects on Friday because I’m looking forward to next week and I’m better organized,” she said.
She said this approach helps her stay on top of her busy schedule and stay productive.
Want to give your kids the ultimate advantage? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course, “How to Raise Financially Smart Kids.” Learn how to build healthy financial habits now to set your child up for greater success in the future. Use coupon code EARLYBIRD for 30% off. Offer valid from December 8th to December 22nd, 2025. Terms and conditions apply.
