In the process of shaping a successful career for themselves academics have to build on the experiences of others. Competition for jobs and promotion has increased as we find ourselves operating in an international market. In my career I have benefitted by rubbing shoulders with influential contributors in occupational psychology, management education and consultancy. In this book I am trying to give something back by sharing my experiences with others. To facilitate this learning process I draw on established theories and a model of six pairs of roles: explorer/innovator; educator/tutor; researcher/consultant; manager/leader; networker/ambassador; historian/synthesiser. Exercising choices as a function of motivational and environmental forces is at the core of this model. My unfolding narrative is intertwined within this model, and I conclude with brief answers to two questions: What have I learnt as a result of reviewing my academic career? What useful lessons can others learn from my experiences?