There is no doubt there is a better time than now to begin to realize your dreams. Our careers are most joyful and successful when linked with our dreams. For me it’s making a difference in the world with the Team Influence approach and leadership development. We all have something to offer in service of others. It is from this place, I believe, that we are gifted from giving. It’s that incredible?!?!
My approach to Career paths is that we need to be aligned, better yet, In Sync, with what it is we desire, otherwise the career path will drive you instead of you driving it.
BLUF (a new acronym I learned…. Bottom Line Up Front)
People Hire People They Like And Trust. Your job then becomes not just your work but also knowing, and for some of you discovering how you are being perceived by those around you.
Tips for finding out if you are trusted:
– Do you notice people frequently are seeking you out for advice?
– Do others confide in you without worrying that what they share with you will go public?
– Do you notice people are always stopping by to spend time and you are needing to establish boundaries?
If you answered “yes” to the above questions, chances are you are a person many trust. Perhaps even the “Go To” person to get things done. This means you are getting the visibility needed to go to the next level. Good for you!
If you answered “I’m not sure” to any of the questions, then we have some actions to take. Lets start with a mini survey. This five-step process is a fantastic tool to get you right in the mix of personal and professional development.
Number 1 Get 5 5×7 cards
Number 2 Develop 3-5 Questions
* Sample Questions: Do I effectively manage time? Would you describe me as an active listener? Am I trustworthy? Do you see me as a “go to” person to get things accomplished?
Number 3 Use a scale of 1-5 below each question (1 being low, 5 being high)
Number 4 Give these cards out to 5 of your peers/subordinates to answer.
Number 5 Once you have collected the cards. You want to add up your scores for each question, divide your total by 5 (the number of cards given out) to get your average score.
Scoring:
4-5 Excellent
3-4 Needs Improvement
3- Below needs significant improvement
Now, you have answers to your questions and can see how others are perceiving you, you can make specific changes in a more appropriate manner. This will save you time, effort and energy. Once you decide the one area you are going to focus on improving, let everyone around you know. This will help keep you accountable.
In 30-60 days, survey again to see how you have improved. People love to be a part of helping someone else. They also like to be a part of making a positive change. This puts you in the spotlight to be a person of your word and also allows people to see you in the light of great but still improving. People trust people who honor their word and put actions behind them.
Good luck and remember not to take anything too personally. This process is all about growth, gaining visibility, and getting out of your comfort zone.