Growing Your Career: Tips from Cathie Black

As we wrap up the month of March and the theme of “Growing Your Career”, here are “seven rules for a really big career” from Cathie Black, President of Hearst Magazines, in her book Basic Black, The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life):

Take risks that are calculated, not crazy.
The worst-case scenario is rarely as bad as you think.
Don’t personalize things that aren’t personal.
It’s best in the long run to make your life a grudge-free zone.
Be generous with praise – and careful with criticism.
Know the rules so you know which ones to break.
It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission.

Sound advice from the woman who was the first female publisher of a consumer magazine (New York) in 1979, and the first president, then publisher, of USA Today beginning in 1983. In her book, she talks about how she’s achieved not only professional accomplishment, but also personal contentment by keeping things in perspective using tips like those above.

Keep this list nearby as you move through your work week and see if you can put some of these into practice. Stay the course, let the stress levels drop so you too can enjoy some of that professional accomplishment and personal contentment.

Post a comment and let me know how you've been able to apply these tips to your work life!

Career Advice: Transitioning from Business Owner to Employee

Dear Debbie:
I’ve owned my own website design service for the last several years and have been successful much of that time. It’s getting stressful, though, to keep wearing all the hats an entrepreneur has to wear and I’m tired. I’m thinking about looking for a regular job by the end of the year. Any advice on making a smooth transition back into working for someone else? Diane B.

Dear Diane:
This can be one of the toughest work-related decisions a person has to make. It’s important to be at peace with it and 100% committed to what’s best for you personally first and foremost. I recommend starting with a basic written Pro and Con list to weigh the benefits and downside of being an Entrepreneur vs. an Employee. Create a wish list of what your future job should include – consider location, work hours, commute, company culture, pay, health and retirement benefits, report-to structure, and job description. Start your investigation into potential future employers as soon as possible to give yourself time to consider all aspects of your next move. Identify companies you feel good about, perhaps even some of your existing clients, vendors, and colleagues in your network. Talk to others who’ve made the same kind of change and find out what’s worked for them. Clarity is key. The more information you gather, the wiser decision you’ll make. Put as much effort in determining what you want your job as an employee to look like as you did when designing your own business.

Do What You Love...Love What You Do! Career Advice for People on the Move

Growing Your Career: with Integrity and Trust

I spent last week on the island of Oahu conducting management training for a client in the heavy equipment industry. My training partner and I developed a program for the middle managers and their San Diego counterparts around six leadership skills which they’ll be evaluated on by their employees next month. Our goal has been to help them better demonstrate the skills and thus receive better scores as this annual evaluation comes back around.

One of the leadership qualities we focused on during last week’s sessions was personal Integrity and how it affects those we work with. While a complex subject, it’s interesting to pick it apart and see its application. The word itself comes from the Latin root, “integer” or whole number. Like a whole number, a person of integrity is undivided and complete. Ethical and trustworthy are good descriptors, as well as consistency and fairness in decision making. In other words, a “what you see is what you get” type of person. They are very clear on where they stand and act accordingly.

Now I would expect that we already believe our integrity is intact, that our standards are high, and that we take the moral high ground in all situations. We typically don’t have to think too hard about this. The place where we can improve and grow our careers is in the awareness that this quality lends itself to building more trusting relationships. By exhibiting integrity, we are open, honest, and transparent in our actions. We share information, coach our employees, and give them constructive feedback. We are forthright and honest with our customers and coworkers, and unafraid to take thoughtful risks. Others in turn see us as believable and clear in our intentions, and are open to our influence.

Food for thought as you go about your work week. Think about some relationships where you are having less than ideal results with an individual or a team. Perhaps it’s a matter of building that trust and demonstrating your personal integrity just a bit more. Be willing to open yourself up, give honest fair input, and do what you say you’ll do. These small internal changes can make a huge difference externally.

Growing Your Career: Complaint Free!

Here’s a different idea for growing your career (and your personal life) based on a book I’ve been reading – A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen.

The concept is that you must not complain, criticize, or gossip for 21 consecutive days (the length of time it takes for a new habit to take hold). He’s created a purple plastic bracelet you begin wearing on one wrist. As soon as you slip, you must move the bracelet to the other wrist and begin counting over again until you are successful in reaching 21 days without complaining, criticizing, or gossiping.

The author says that by changing your words, you change your thoughts, and begin creating the life you’ve dreamed of. He goes on to say that “good things will happen when you leave your grumbling behind and form this new positive habit.”

So how can this help you grow your career? Think about the time people around you spend complaining about family and coworkers, the company they work for, and the government. Is there any benefit to doing this? I don’t think so. It’s energy better spent on moving ahead with our lives, looking for opportunities to improve our situations, and make positive change in our lives and others’. We all know the attraction that people with positive attitudes and enthusiasm have. They are so busy living their lives in this manner, they have no time for anything to the contrary. They are happy, productive, and fun to be around, and probably very satisfied with their work life.

A friend of mine recently reminded me that while this is a good idea in theory, what about “venting” to clear the air and talk through issues out of our control? I do agree there is a need for healthy venting. Perhaps we take off the purple bracelet while we air our complaints, agree to move on from those negatives, not look back, and resume our count to day 21.

Give it a try this week. Notice what you talk about with others. Make some small changes and see the difference. For more information on this 21-day challenge, visit http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/.





What do you think? Post a comment!

Growing Your Career: Communication Skills

When it comes to Growing your Career, one of the most important pieces for successfully doing that is sharpening your Communication Skills. These skills are invaluable, especially in this day and age of lessened “human touch” and business moving at break-neck speed. It’s always a good idea, and never too late, to sharpen yours. Here are some ideas you can put to use right away:

First, choose the right method for the situation – phone vs. email vs. in person vs. handwritten note. Consider oral methods when prompt feedback and interchange is desired; written methods when more accuracy and a permanent record of what transpired is needed. Sometimes a combination of both is required. And sometimes, it’s just too easy to send an email when a phone call could be so much more welcomed and effective. Think about this before you hit that “reply” button.

In situations where emotions could run high, be clear and use blameless language – state where you are coming from, not what you think the other person did. Sticking to facts is sometimes the best method – factual evidence is much less controversial and hard to dispute, especially if it’s documented.

Did you know that body language accounts for over 55% of the effectiveness of your message? People notice your gestures, facial expressions, and posture more than they listen to your words. Make sure your body is confirming what your mouth says.

Keep this in mind when you’re on the phone: Research shows your tone of voice is responsible for over 86% of message effectiveness in those cases where body language is absent. Record yourself and listen or ask a friend for input.

When presenting to a group, restate your central point several times by weaving it into your presentation. Research shows that audiences lose 85% of your message after leaving the communication situation.

When it comes to honing your public speaking skills, the task most people greatly fear, look into two organizations to help you: Toastmasters www.toastmasters.org and Speaking Circles (www.speakingcircles.com). I have experienced both of these very different programs and highly recommend them equally. Visit their websites to find a meeting near you.

And finally, don’t forget the art of Listening as an invaluable communication tool – stay focused, ask questions, and keep an open mind. The ancient Greek philosopher, Epictetus (born in 55 AD), knew the power of listening when he said “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Your audience, be it 1 or 100, know when you are really listening and they respond accordingly.

These are just a very few on the tip of the very large communication iceberg and there are numerous books on the subject to help you.
This week, as you go about your work, think about these tips and try one on for size rather than following a usual routine. Making improvements in your communication skills will make you more effective and confident, no doubt!

Career Advice: Turning a Hobby into a Business

Dear Debbie:
I want more than anything to build my work around my favorite thing in the whole world – making and decorating wedding cakes. So far, it’s just been a hobby and people tell me I’m really talented and should think about opening a business. That sounds so exciting but I don’t’ know how I’d make a living at it and I’m scared to leave the security of my full time medical clerk job. I need some advice. Tammy P.

Dear Tammy:
Congratulations on being aware of your passion! That’s the first step in making it a bigger part of your life – identifying it, getting specific, then taking action steps toward it. I recommend you start by doing some research on what it will take to turn it into a business. Jump on the internet and look at bakery or wedding cake business sites and learn what you can from others. There are many hats a business owner wears and sometimes the thing they love to do (like making and decorating cakes) gets lost in the paperwork and marketing. You might consider working for someone part-time who’s already taken that step. This way, you can see the inner workings of a cake business and decide if that’s the route you want to go. You can also spread the word about your passion a little more with some basic business cards and see how you handle the additional business.
As far as making the money you need and want to earn - with a good plan, a clear understanding of what you are taking on, and lots of patience and persistence, it can be done. You’ll discover that as you follow your true passion, it becomes second nature to talk about what you do, people become excited along with you, start telling others, and business will come your way. Did I mention patience and persistence? Go for it – step-by-step and you’ll make it happen!

If you are in need of career advice, please post your question as a comment and watch for the answer to appear in a future Smart Career Moves blog post. Enjoy your work day!

Career Advice: Doing What You Love

Dear Debbie:
I could splash around in the retail end of the swimming pool for the rest of my life if my parents didn’t care. I love people and making them happy makes me happy, plus the commissions are great! But my parents did put me through college and now expect me to “do better” than retail, and get a “real job”. How do I make them happy while still being happy myself? Liza T.

Dear Liza:
When you are working with your passions, you are happy, time flies by, and others benefit by being around you and feel inspired to be like you. The enthusiasm and positive attitude of your letter indicates to me that you are great with customers, which means you will be great at retail! Large percentages of people are so unhappy in their work – it’s refreshing to hear that you are not one of them. To convince your parents that you are already doing what you love to do, I recommend you create a retail career plan that proves your commitment to utilizing your education and to your passion. This is for them, and more importantly for yourself to plan your future and develop your career with specific goals and action steps. Start by looking at management and growth opportunities within your current employer’s organization. Talk to your supervisor, the Human Resources department, and the Store Manager. While leveraging your experience where you already are is a wise idea, also look outside at other retail companies to compare and see what they offer. You can then make the decision to stay put or get your resume out to other companies. Put your findings on paper, plot out what your career path will look like and where you’ll be in 1, 3, and 5 years from now. Develop goals and action steps for each one and begin your journey to making this work you love into your life’s career.
Good luck!

If you are in need of career advice, please post your question as a comment. I will address it in a future Smart Career Moves blog post. Enjoy your work day!

Growing Your Career: Never Stop Learning

Here it is - March - the beginning of spring, warmer weather and the rebirth of those things that hibernate for the winter. How about your career – has it been in hibernation for the last few months? Over the next four weeks, we’ll cover skills you may consider to help grow and nurture your career.

Let’s get right to it:
“Never stop learning”. That’s the motto for an adult community ed school here in my area. While they are promoting their class offerings, this saying is literally applicable to each and every one of us. While you may have the ability to take classes after work and on the weekends, some may prefer to look at learning opportunities during their work week and work hours.
In addition to typical classroom settings, here are some ideas to help you never stop learning:

Cross train within your company to learn how other departments fit together to form the whole organization.
Attend training classes conducted by your company’s training department or attend outside programs; ask your supervisor to bring in outside trainers to present specific topics of interest
Mentorship – be one or become one. Either way, I see the same benefit – wisdom from a more experienced person and/or the new ideas and perspective from a fresh newcomer in the workplace.
Management and skill development books on tape – put your commute time to good use.
Books – surround yourself with those relative to career development. Read cover-to-cover or pick out nuggets from chapters here and there.
Master mind groups, formal or informal, which are incredible support systems
Associations within your industry. Hear what your counterparts are doing and thinking in their companies.

If you take only one or two of these suggestions and implement them, you are opening yourself up to an abundance of new ideas. Go ahead, pick one this week, take some simple action steps (visit your training department for upcoming classes, shop the book-on-tape aisle at the bookstore, take a wise co-worker to lunch to discuss mentoring), and open your mind to another point of view that can make a big difference for your career.

One more reason to never stop learning: It keeps your mind young and healthy! The more you use those synapses – message connections between your brain cells – the stronger they get and the more they increase. Furthermore, if you learn something that excites you, you learn it faster and train those synapses to make strong connections. Read You: Staying Young, the Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty for more information on the biological benefits to keep learning!

Please post your ideas on ways to Never Stop Learning!