Alex A. Molinaroli has traveled the world extensively for business and spent 34 years at Johnson Controls, where he held at least a dozen positions during his tenure. As the retired Johnson Controls CEO looks back on his career, he says he’s learned that nothing trumps experience.

“To be successful we all need a basic set of both skills and knowledge, so there’s a base of both learning and training required,” Alex A. Molinaroli says. “But that’s just the ante.”

Although he received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Carolina and later earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Alex A. Molinaroli says success doesn’t require a four-year college degree. In fact, he says most of his critical career skills were learned outside of the classroom. “And I’m still learning today.”

Alex A. Molinaroli Advises: Don’t Skip the Trip

A change of scenery could be all you need to get that much hoped-for promotion. “Of course you need a base-level knowledge, but it’s most important to always look for new experiences and exposures,” he says. “Stretch yourself and get outside your comfort zone.”

According to Alex A. Molinaroli, that could mean travel, taking assignments in different places, or perhaps even turning down that obvious promotion to take a lateral opportunity to pursue something totally different.

“I think these kinds of investments in yourself and gaining a broader set of experiences will pay back in the long run. These different experiences may help you later in your career as you compete for new roles,” he says.

Hopefully you are fortunate like I was to get a multitude of different experiences – working various types of jobs perhaps in different parts of the world. The traditional and obvious career path may seem safe but often the ‘road less traveled’ may likely be best. “Unfortunately you won’t know it until you see it,” Alex A. Molinaroli explains.

Johnson Controls Set Alex A. Molinaroli on a Global Trajectory

During Alex A. Molinaroli’s time at Johnson Controls, he spent about 40% of his time on the road. Traveling to South America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and beyond, the senior executive and adviser learned the art of approaching business as a student of new cultural perspectives. He quickly discovered the beauty in these differences and always made a point to engage in conversations while traveling and to be less connected to technology and be more plugged into the present moment.

Well-traveled, seasoned team members can also lead to more creative problem-solving, according to Alex A. Molinaroli. “There’s always something that you can lean back on with your own experiences,” Alex A. Molinaroli told Enterprise Radio. “And if you can’t, your team can. Make sure you have a team around you that’s diverse enough that they’ve seen the problem you’re facing and can bring the answer. Because they’ve already seen it and solved it.”

No Man Is an Island, Says Alex A. Molinaroli

While Alex A. Molinaroli appreciates working with people who invest in themselves, he also has some concrete criteria when it comes to which ideas he believes are worth investing in.

“Don’t try to do something yourself unless you happen to be the super expert in the business, technology or issue,” he says. “It’s most important to get as many people involved in understanding a problem in order to make the best decision possible.”

Alex A. Molinaroli feels that too often in business, most of us make the mistake of trying to do everything themselves. “None of us are experts at everything,” Alex A. Molinaroli says. “I recommend getting more people involved. It’s probably the best advice I have.”

The Times They Are A-Changin’

The retired Johnson Controls leader also suggests self-investment requires looking toward the future as the world continues to evolve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and other world changing events.

“​​The world is changing. Not only impacting the present but changing our future,” he told Enterprise Radio. “Make sure you not only rely on your experiences, but think through what has changed in the world and how you should adapt your approach, business and business model. It’s clear that it’s a very different world than it was just a couple of years ago.”

Despite all the changes occurring globally, Alex A. Molinaroli says he believes there is one constant truth.

“I just talked about how the world has changed and is changing, but there is one constant – people,” he adds. “People want to do good. They want to be engaged and be a part of something special.”

One way to keep that spirit alive is to take newer colleagues under your wing, he says. A lifelong believer in mentoring others, Alex A. Molinaroli says he sees the value of using his own career experience to improve the lives of others. “We all need help,” he emphasizes.