IS YOUR CAREER IN NEED OF A TUNEUP? If so, you’re not alone. Consider the career changes driven by the pandemic and the so-called Great Resignation when it was estimated that more than 40 million people quit their jobs. Of course, not everyone had a choice, but, during this time, people made decisions about how they work and what is important to them.
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the multipurpose tool -- The Swiss Army knife. Tools have been added to the knife, including a screwdriver, a can opener, a saw blade, and scissors as examples. These tools are stowed in the handle and use a pivot mechanism when you are ready to use them. Several years ago, a friend of mine shared that he wanted to make sure that he had various tools (skills) like a Swiss Army knife to enhance his value in the organization. Another leader shared that he felt leaders could also be pigeonholed into a singular skill set when they don’t get the opportunity to branch out or only use the knife tool in their Swiss Army knife. Consider your Swiss Army Knife -- your tools, skills, and capabilities in the scenarios below.
Sunday, January 22nd, is the Chinese New Year and the Year of the (Water) Rabbit. Chinese New Year is a time to seek out good fortune, health, wealth, and longevity as a jump start to Spring. It’s also a time I reread those fortunes I’ve saved from fortune cookies through the years. You know the fortunes that speak to you, sound like you, or tell you wealth is coming your way. What do your saved fortune cookie messages say about you? Are they connected to your values or guiding principles?
When you work in an operation’s field, services aren’t provided from a plan on paper but rather from people aligned to a common purpose. Unfortunately, stuff happens. Services aren’t executed well. Leaders fail to recognize when they must pivot and adjust. There are lapses in customer service. Customers judge your services at each service point. They evaluate how well you played TODAY. Yelp reviews or 5-star ratings don’t matter. But, what can happen when you get a second chance or a fresh set of downs? How will you show up?
