Gratitude in the Office – An Experiment

This is a great experiment by SoulPancake showing the personal benefits of expressing gratitude. Gratitude is not only for your family and friends. . . tell you colleagues, peers, boss and customers what it is about them that you appreciate.

Who in your career has been influential? Who did something really amazing for your career? Remember professional relationships are the key to your success. By expressing your gratitude, you’ll improve the quality of those important relationships and feel good yourself. Everybody wins! Check out this 7 minute video.

Best Advice from Leading Executives

Business Insider compiled a list of “best advice” from 22 top executives. I’ve pulled the top 10 bits of advice that apply to new professionals and summarized it here.  The full Business Insider post will provide the context for each quote and reveal who the wise sage is behind each pearl of wisdom.

  1. There’s a finite amount of time you’re going to be doing this. Do this really, really well. – Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Macy’s
  2. Never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. – Richard Branson, founder and chairman, Virgin Group
  3. I see a bunch of good choices, and there’s the one that you pick and make great. – Marissa Mayer, VP, Google
  4. First, it’s good to solicit your people’s opinions before you give them yours. And second, your people will be very influenced by how you carry yourself under stress. – Lloyd Blankfein, chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs
  5. You’ve gotta learn to listen!” – Maureen Chiquet, Global CEO, Chanel
  6. Follow my instincts and take the risk. I wanted to create a new way of looking at retail – Tory Burch, co-founder and creative director, Tory Burch
  7. Never forget Warren, you can tell a guy to go to hell tomorrow — you don’t give up the right. So just keep your mouth shut today, and see if you feel the same way tomorrow. – Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
  8. Just remember, it’s a small business and a long life. You’re going to see all these people again. – Richard Parsons, former chairman, Citigroup
  9. Always have the courage of your convictions. Always state what’s on your mind. Follow your gut. And observe what other people are doing around you. – Joe Uva, former CEO, Univision
  10. Remember—you’ve got to make your deposits before you can make a withdrawal! – Steve Schwartzman, chairman and CEO, Blackstone Group

Inner Confidence

Last week, I attended several networking events with current college students.  Each student’s level of confidence varied.  I believe that some of them could be more confident based on their accomplishments to date.  Others– just a few– were a little more confident than their resumes could support.

Confidence as a professional often comes with experience (i.e., years on the job).  At Career-ology, we believe that you can acquire, practice and develop most of the critical professional skills in a proactive way.  Very simply, instead of simply waiting for the passage of time, adopt a mindset or way of thinking about inner confidence.

John Keyser, a highly accomplished leadership coach in Washington, D.C., has a great blog post today.  John writes, “When we have inner confidence, we:

  • Realize that asking for help is a sign of strength
  • Allow ourselves to help others learn, grow and succeed
  • Want our colleagues to do great work
  • Are comfortable sharing credit for success
  • Shine the spotlight on others

Read John’s post, “Inner Confidence Coupled with Humility,” to learn how to become a more effective leader, a more successful professional and a better person.

 

A Muddy (Corporate) Culture

A few weeks ago, I participated in my third Tough Mudder event.  I enjoy these events for the physical and mental challenge and the camaraderie of competing as part of a team.

Post-race photo with my team. I am 2nd from left.

For those who don’t know, Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Tough Mudder organization is the culture that they have built into their events.  While it is difficult to describe in words, the Tough Mudder culture is palpable.  It is truly something that must be Read more

Follow a Career Passion

Are you a college senior and not sure which career path to choose?  Are you currently in a job and questioning if you made the right choice?  Do you seek passion in your career, but aren’t sure where to find it?

Cal Newport, Georgetown University computer science professor and author of “So Good They Can’t Ignore You,” offers this advice from his own career experience:

To other young people who constantly wonder if the grass might be greener on the other side of the occupational fence, I offer this advice: Passion is not something you follow. It’s something that will follow you as you put in the hard work to become valuable to the world.

Read the full NY Times article here.

 

Why Wrestlers Make the Best Employees

Steve Cooper, a contributor at Forbes.com, makes the case for “Why Wretlers Make the Best Employees.”  The same can be said for all athletes or people with military training.  Cooper’s article quotes Richard Mendelson, I.O. psychologist and founder of Dynamic IO Consultants, a consulting firm specializing in human capital management and other services:

“Current research indicates that individuals who have competed in elite level athletics, i.e., collegiate, international, or professional level competition possess higher levels of emotional intelligence than their non-athlete counterparts.”

Attributes that are valuable on the field, court or in the arena are equally valuable in your career, for example: dedicated practice, intense focus, teamwork, coach-abilty and a high level of professional emotional intelligence (EI).   How are you utilizing these skills in your career?

Related Post:  Lessons From the Olympics