--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned that, \"Mike, you get your first…" description: "\"I learned that, \"Mike, you get your first job on your ability and every job after that on your dependability.\"\" — Mike Royer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg" --- # I learned that, "Mike, you get your first job on your… ![“I learned that, "Mike, you get your first job on your ability and every job after that on your dependability."” quote by Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg) > “I learned that, "Mike, you get your first job on your ability and every job after that on your dependability."” [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early career success depends on skill, later success hinges on reliability, emphasizing trust over talent over time. **In simple terms:** Skill gets first job; reliability sustains career. Key Takeaway Build trust through consistent performance. Themes career trust skill dependability Mood pragmatic motivational Type career inspirational When to use this quote - Job hunting - performance reviews - team collaboration Key Concepts Human resources Professional development Reputation Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to improve dependability? - How do you balance skill growth with reliability? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on reliability may overlook innovation and adaptability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Ability Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-job-1319290/) [Dependability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependability/) [First job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-job/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Job Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-ability-3750122/) [Job Dependability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-dependability-3750121/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Learned Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-mike-3750123/) [Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mike/) [Mike Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mike-job-3750124/) ## Related quotes > [Maturity is the ability to do a job whether you're supervised or not; finish a job once it's started; carry money without spending it;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-van-buren/maturity-is-the-ability-to-do-a-job-whether-you-re-supervised-or-not/) [Abigail Van Buren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-van-buren/) > [When those with ability at their job get to thinking they can't be done without, they're already on their way out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/when-those-with-ability-at-their-job-get-to-thinking-they-can-t-be/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [My mental health has negatively impacted my ability to do my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-cambage/my-mental-health-has-negatively-impacted-my-ability-to-do-my-job/) [Liz Cambage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-cambage/) > [“Never sell your head to buy a hat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-alex-jadad/never-sell-your-head-to-buy-a-hat/) [Alejandro Alex Jadad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-alex-jadad/) > [Age simply doesn't enter into it! The older the friend, the more he is valued, particularly when he shows so visibly the characteristics that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bull/age-simply-doesn-t-enter-into-it-the-older-the-friend-the-more-he-is/) [Peter Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bull/) > [“Home is not a place. Home is security, predictability, reliability, dependability, safety, permanence combined together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/csaba-gabor/home-is-not-a-place-home-is-security-predictability-reliability/) [Csaba Gabor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/csaba-gabor/) > [“Desire for a person is not the same thing as having that unique appreciation and need for them, nor is affection. Desire waxes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-sankovitch/desire-for-a-person-is-not-the-same-thing-as-having-that-unique/) [Nina Sankovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-sankovitch/) > [Ability is important in our quest for success, but dependability is critical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/ability-is-important-in-our-quest-for-success-but-dependability-is/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Ability is a wonderful thing, but its value is greatly enhanced by dependability. Ability implies repeatability and accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ability-is-a-wonderful-thing-but-its-value-is-greatly-enhanced-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The greatest ability is dependability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-ability-is-dependability/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For the first time I feel an inner emotional security. There is reality and dependability. My life revolves around Richard and the baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-wood/for-the-first-time-i-feel-an-inner-emotional-security-there-is/) [Natalie Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-wood/) > [In adults, dependability is the fruit of maturity; in a child, it is the seed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-eyre/in-adults-dependability-is-the-fruit-of-maturity-in-a-child-it-is-the/) [Richard M. Eyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-eyre/) > [In the information-communication civilization of the 21st Century, creativity and mental excellence will become the ethical norm. The world will be too dynamic, complex,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/in-the-information-communication-civilization-of-the-21st-century/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [Punctuality is closely related to faithfulness and dependability. Being tardy can be linked to uninterest, apathy, slothfulness and procrastination...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-w-sill/punctuality-is-closely-related-to-faithfulness-and-dependability/) [Sterling W Sill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-w-sill/) > [The acid test of our love for God is obedience to His Word. The greatest ability is dependability. The test of your character is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-jones-sr/the-acid-test-of-our-love-for-god-is-obedience-to-his-word-the/) [Bob Jones, Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-jones-sr/) ## More by Mike Royer > [When you're paid $29 for something and 30 or 40 years later you're seeing it on eBay with pages going for $199 or more, it's like, "Dammit!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/when-you-re-paid-29-for-something-and-30-or-40-years-later-you-re/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [There are different rules for comic books now. You've got prima donna's that are dealing with the direct sales market, so if they say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/there-are-different-rules-for-comic-books-now-you-ve-got-prima-donna/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I know some stories about "liberation" and stuff that's been liberated by people who turn around and get on their soapbox about how it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-know-some-stories-about-liberation-and-stuff-that-s-been-liberated/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I like to think that I gave Jack Warner Brothers inking and Joe Sinnott gave him MGM inking. If you're not as in love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-like-to-think-that-i-gave-jack-warner-brothers-inking-and-joe/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [People ask me who my favorite inker is and I tell them my favorite inker was Joe Sinnott...but I was the best. Now I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/people-ask-me-who-my-favorite-inker-is-and-i-tell-them-my-favorite/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I did get a nice compliment from Ramona Fradon a few years ago.She was talking about the one and only Plastic Man comic that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-did-get-a-nice-compliment-from-ramona-fradon-a-few-years-ago-she/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [It's not Comic Con any more. It's this huge marketplace for the motion picture and television industry. And the toy manufacturer's and the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/it-s-not-comic-con-any-more-it-s-this-huge-marketplace-for-the-motion/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I was with Roy Thomas on a panel and he turned to me and said, "You know, your name is on the cover a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-was-with-roy-thomas-on-a-panel-and-he-turned-to-me-and-said-you/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [ I assisted with Russ \[Manning\] for about eleven months and my day job for 5 days a week was credit manager and paint salesman… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-assisted-with-russ-manning-for-about-eleven-months-and-my-day-job/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [ I've been very lucky with the people I've met over the years. Way back in the early '70s I went to \[Phil\] Seuling's conventions… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-ve-been-very-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-met-over-the-years-way-back/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I still have a lot my Disney store art left and if I ever run out I'll just redraw it, because it will still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-still-have-a-lot-my-disney-store-art-left-and-if-i-ever-run-out-i/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [Being a naive 20-something I didn't think that I could just go to the screen cartoonist's union, that I was a member of, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/being-a-naive-20-something-i-didn-t-think-that-i-could-just-go-to-the/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [It was just too hard from my standpoint to apply myself properly for the lessons from art school and also work 6 hours a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/it-was-just-too-hard-from-my-standpoint-to-apply-myself-properly-for/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I love pre-code movies. Some of my favorites are movies with Warren William and there is an MGM film called "Skyscraper Souls" which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-love-pre-code-movies-some-of-my-favorites-are-movies-with-warren/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) > [I chose Bagdasarian Productions when I heard from some colleagues at work who were buying story boards at the time back in the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-chose-bagdasarian-productions-when-i-heard-from-some-colleagues-at/) [Mike Royer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) [Explore all 46 Mike Royer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I learned that, \"Mike, you get your first job on your ability and every job after that on your dependability.\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Royer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-job-on-your-ability-and-every/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-job-on-your-ability-and-every/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/974/mike-royer-14555_ability_i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-j_2033939.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I learned that, \"Mike, you get your first job on your ability and every job after that on your dependability.\"” — Mike Royer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mike Royer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-royer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I learned that, \"Mike, you get...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-job-on-your-ability-and-every/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-royer/i-learned-that-mike-you-get-your-first-job-on-your-ability-and-every/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```