Respect Yourself
At your level, it is reasonable to expect that you will be treated with great respect - as is
appropriate. However, I think it worth the effort to use the self awareness tools available
to have you well prepared for the unexpected developments. It seems best to start with
the basics. Just like a totem, it is always helpful to have a good look at where things are for
you on such an important move – let’s call that ‘self awareness.”
There are several things that are important to us on any new position you consider:
1.) limited bureaucracy/no time wasting; 2.) a clear set of mutually agreeable goals and objectives
for the plan period (usually one year w quarterly adjustments). 3.) A collegial working relationship
with co-workers and staff on a 360 degree basis. “I am a person who works well as part of a team,
but am used to being a program leader more than just a follower.” (Pause – be silent for 10 or
more seconds.) (“Let me explain as appropriate:”)
Later, we can do the additional (detailed) prep that is recommended for you – by your
executive coach. Meanwhile, our strategy is to have you well prepared for the experience
of meeting six possible new colleagues. The meetings are as much or more for you to get a feel
for the job and people as they are for them to learn more about you.
Do begin to dig deeper into the backgrounds of each person you will meet. Google is amazing
that way. The corporate folks and the institution’s website may be most important, so I will
take a look and share observations. Do the background stuff this week, so you are ahead of
the power curve well before the specifics of your own goals and objectives for the trip.
One basis for being well prepared is good policy. The other basis we have is that you
are reluctant to reveal information about yourself. There may be several reasons for that.
Your inner self doesn’t like to, you’re guarded for a lifetime; as a thinker, you are
focused on listening and guiding without revealing, etc. Take a Google look at sample questions
from the behavioral school from the 1970′s. It has come more into vogue recently, especially
among the less experienced who get briefed on fun questions to ask. (Behavioral Interview
Questions – click) If any interest you for discussion, let me know. “If you faced this crazy
situation (angry swearing) with a staff member, what would you do?” Think carefully.
You did mention, you are not sure what they are looking for. Folks do not usually know what
they are looking for. Your goal #1 is to have the job tailored to what you want – and still meet
their needs as best they/you understand them. So, you work on what you know – who you are,
where you are professionally, and where you want to go in your next position! Once that is clear
you should be good to go.
Your phone interview w the EVP calls for prep of its own. I expect it will go well. It will be a
good time for you to “learn more” directly from one of their executives. So write your questions
and concerns in advance. Do they have a model to apply in new markets? What are some of the new
programs or innovations they are working on? I think it makes sense to talk about your interests
in programs like the Expansion Program – are they thinking along the same lines?
Think Big?
Think small. Think in terms of one step at a time. That may prove to be harder than you think.
Offending People
It’s easier than you think to offend bosses, co-workers, customers and friends. One of the realities of being a coach and consultant involves the risk of offending people you are trying to help. That is a good reason for me to suggest that we all plan to complete a self assessment each year. Call it your ‘annual check up.” Here are the guidelines from what was sent out to a select few earlier today.
This is a worthwhile annual checkup for executives, entrepreneurs and professionals I care about. (Adapted from Harvard Business Review Briefs)
Want to do what the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies do for their annual evaluation by the board of directors — write a self-assessment that helps guide your personal growth? What you write will be a valuable tool for moving ahead, a custom guide for your own development. This gives my ExecWorth friends and clients a great basis for a productive discussion. We can think of the effort as an annual check up on your plans and aspirations for the year ahead. 2011 will be here before we know it!
Self Assessment Guidelines. Here are some guidelines for writing a self-assessment that gives you an initial road map for growing your business or your career:
Reflect. We found that successful leaders and doers think seriously about their motives, beliefs, assumptions and actions. They analyze events and the outcomes of their decisions, particularly how they affect the big picture. They force themselves to give a full hearing to ideas that contradict their own. They take responsibility for their mistakes and treat failure as a chance to learn and grow. Even at the pinnacle of their careers they’re committed to lifelong learning. Make a list of five or more significant events you encountered this year and how you handled each situation.
Ask for feedback? It is OK to get opinions on your performance from people you work with and trust. Resist the temptation to argue against criticism, and be careful not to let your assumptions about your capabilities color what you hear. If you have an executive or business coach, they can add insights. Ask for five or more observations the trusted source can make about you and your performance.
Be honest about your shortcomings. As Oliver Cromwell reputedly told his portraitist, include “warts and all.” You can’t take the write-up seriously if it’s not real — and give you credit for your openness. One hint that you’re ducking doing this: You’re describing a missed goal and putting more blame on external factors than your own actions. If your weaknesses list is too skimpy you may not be digging deep enough, with either self-reflection or your feedback sessions. List five or more strengths and five or more weaknesses and how you are working with or on each. This is a search for the balanced understanding.
Highlight your contributions to your business or organization or self. Did you lead yourself or your staff to overcome a tough problem? Solved a nagging process glitch? Improved connections up or down the value chain? Broadened market share by training others or sharpening your own skill set, bettering customer service, helping to create a new product/service or break into a new market? Cite all the hard data that’s available. Write about your five recent accomplishments (and how you assisted others) meeting specific goals and objectives you had in mind.
Describe the areas in which you improved your capabilities, via formal training and on your own. Position yourself as you would a product: Is your strength in leading, innovating, lowering costs, technology, logistics, analysis, controls, quality, problem solving, international business, e-commerce, negotiation, or a combination of these capabilities? Perhaps, you can list five specific steps you took to learn more about how to improve your own performance .
Don’t be a thunder-stealer. Plain and simple: avoid taking more than your share of credit for a team’s success. Self-serving judgments of any kind will undermine your credibility. List five accomplishments that helped you move ahead where others played an important role.
Be sure your self assessment is in writing. The easy way is to say this is a good idea and move on – no time for this kind of thing. The preferred or recommended response is “Do It!” In addition to following these self-evaluation guidelines, you should be asking yourself these reflective questions: Is what I’m doing working? Of course it is, but what is working, what is not?
Allow enough time to write this up. How can I make it better? Am I realistic about my capabilities? Have I fallen into any unproductive habits? Is any behavioral problem like temper, disconnectedness, undue optimism or unneeded anxiety getting in the way? Am I capitalizing on my strengths and correcting my weaknesses? Am I focusing on my true priorities? Am I modeling the self-awareness that I expect of others? Am I studying the competition and the customers intently but neglecting to look inward?
Self-assessment is a skill. It can be learned and it can be honed with practice. Know thyself, Socrates counseled. That’s good advice for being the best you can be. In truth, the email is just an introduction to the idea of self assessment. If you would like to tailor an in depth look at how to start and complete your own self assessment, email or call me for tailored suggestions. I’ll help you get it done timely.
Regards, Ed
215-219-4643
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What is marketing?
will summarize an action strategy later today. In the meantime . . .
Marketing is Confusing. As I reflect, our meetings w a number of friends
did firm up a realization that there may be a shortfall on what people think
marketing (including sales) is all about – and what it is not.
Properly done; It is not really about schmoozing, backslapping, lying,
exaggerating, distorting, or any of those negative images I detect from
time to time. It is one of the important foundations for the success of
any economic endeavor. Content, Images, Interactivity all count!
In the broad sense – Marketing involves awareness; research, listening,
positioning, understanding customers, disappointment and that kind of
experience. It calls for charm, empathy and determination – patience all around
on our part to move projects and people forward.
We did agree it is “What we do consciously to attract, retain and delight
our customers.” That means we target or specify who we think our
customers are and should be. There must be some kind of basic action list
with clear priorities. You and I are marketing advisor/doers, so we need to get
those we work with on the same page. This is an important part of our work.
Clients have to want to increase sales, devote time and energy, embrace change; and
in most cases be part of a team – a learning team. It may be a good idea for us to
prepare a position paper that will help folks we want to assist – align with us.
If you agree, let’s put that on our task list for September. In the meantime, it is
helpful to affirm the primary marketing functions. Later, we can add definitions
and examples. There is Offline and Online marketing to consider.Marketing
Research; Advertising, Sales; Sales Promotion, Public Relations; Product Management,
Distribution. We have to think about the four P’s: Product, Place, Price,
Promotion. This is just a start. Anyway, see you in a few.
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