Take Time to Look Back

I once heard a story about Tibetan monks. They often travel great distances on foot. Every once in a while, they stop and look back. Seeing the long distance they have already traveled gives them the courage and energy to continue on the path in front of them. It must be the winding down of the year, because it feels like we can all take a lesson from those monks. It is good to pause and look back. As I take time to reflect on 2010, I think – “Wow, what a great year.” I started a new job, where I completed a few acquisitions and had the opportunity to travel across Canada. My book was published and we celebrated with book launch parties in four cities. (I love parties!) It was also a great year of learning and growing, trying new things, meeting new people and enjoying all the "ah-ha" moments. I feel energized and ready for 2011.

Take a moment to pause along your path and look back. Think about what you accomplished and give yourself a pat on the back. Be appreciative of the people you have met along the way. Think of all you have learned and be grateful for the ability to continually grow. As 2010 comes to an end, reaffirm what you are thankful for.

And in the spirit of thankfulness, check out this adorable video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

Happy Holidays

I would like to take the opportunity to thank each of you for all your support this year. I wish you and your families a very joyous holiday and a very bright, healthy and happy New Year.

An Enlightened Workplace

This week I stopped in to see a colleague of mine who co-founded a company called Nurse Next Door. The company has won many awards and been recognized for best employer and most admired corporate culture. What struck me immediately when I walked through the door was the positive, uplifted energy. You could literally feel it. Team members were friendly, respectful and open. It was so refreshing. An enlightened workplace doesn’t mean things are perfect. The same workplace issues will always be there; personality clashes, a looming crisis, processes that are imperfect. What is different is how people react and interact with these issues. An enlightened workplace occurs because people choose to react constructively, to interact with skill and openness. Each of us has the power to contribute to a sane, positive work environment. It starts with you.

Contributing to a healthy workplace requires intention and awareness. We need to take responsibility for our words and actions and be willing to look at whether we are helping or hindering a situation. I often wish that in addition to the automatic Spell-check, my emails had an automatic Happy-check. I want to be reminded when, in my haste, I am about to press send on an email that sounds critical, harsh or curt. Our interaction with others has a direct impact on them. Why not make that interaction as positive as possible? This doesn’t just help the other person; paradoxically, it does a lot for us too.

Five Ways to Contribute a more Enlightened Workplace

1. Don’t take things personally. Other people might be having a bad day and you can acknowledge that; you don’t have to join them.
2. Be kind. Always.
3. Be yourself. We do not need to waste our time trying to guess what others are thinking, or trying to please people, or impress people. Being you is powerful enough.
4. Know what you believe in, and stick to it. As soon as you wander from your ‘core’, from your values, it is a slippery slope to discontent.
5. Laugh. ...a lot; after all, it’s just work

Conflict is a Lesson

I turned into a lunatic the other day. I was driving through an intersection, when suddenly, a car in the left-hand turning lane cut right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, pressed down on the horn, and missed the other car by inches. Most of us, me included, think we are peaceful. But after that car cut me off and almost caused an accident, I was yelling in language that would not be appropriate to print. I was so angry. Conflict sneaks up on us. Everything is fine until someone criticises our work or challenges our view or our workplace makes a decision we do not like. Once our fear is triggered, patterns of thought and behaviour follow. Perhaps we get aggressive, like I did after the car incident. Perhaps we recoil, because our feelings are hurt or our confidence is broken.

Conflict is everywhere. We experience it at work because of personality conflicts, value clashes and irritation over work habits. We experience it with the natural tensions in every organization – tension between how to allocate money, tension between departments, tension with regulatory and legislative bodies. What we have control over is not usually the actual conflict (like the car cutting in front of me) but the thoughts, actions and words that follow. We have control over how we react to conflict. It is a choice. How can we deal with conflict? 

1. Be inquisitive – Be curious about the other person’s point of view or the situation. What can you learn?

2. Collaborate – Consider how you can work toward a mutually acceptable solution. How can you create a win-win?

3. “It’s not about me.” – Saying this to yourself can help you create space between the situation and your reaction. After my car incident, I reflected that cutting ME off was not the person’s intent.

4. Have a good intention – If you walk into a meeting already angry, you know what result you are going to get. If you cannot bring yourself to be of benefit in a situation, at least commit to doing no more harm.

5. Respond, don’t react – Finding those few seconds of space after a conflict with a person or situation allows you to respond to what is happening, versus reacting to it.

Learn to use conflict as lesson to learn from.

What’s Your Pitch?

I delivered a keynote speech to about 200 people recently at a large retail company. The group worked in the logistics department. I joked if they introduce themselves and say “I work in logistics for ABC Co.” most people’s eyes will glaze over. What about, “I’m the triple R person. I help ABC Co. get the right product to the right place at the right time.”

Can you clearly convey what you do? What’s your pitch? The components of a pitch are pretty straight forward:

• Your name: say it clearly and distinctly so people can pick it up
• What you do: in plain language or be creative, use a metaphor or analogy
• What you need: this is the ‘ask’. For example, in a career fair, you may deliver your pitch and ask if you can be on the company’s interview schedule.

There are many opportunities where we can use our pitch, with or without the ‘ask’:

Your current network- the people closest to you may not know what you do or need. Practice your pitch on who you know right now.

Informal networking – this can happen while travelling, on a sports field, anywhere. 

Formal networking events – the ‘ask’ in a formal network event should be linked to your objective for being there; for example to look for business leads, to find a mentor, etc.

Job interviews – having a pitch will help you answer questions like “Tell me about yourself.” or “Tell me about your current role.” 

Cold calls – you might be cold calling as part of your work or cold calling people you would like to meet. Think about the voice mail message you would leave.

Work opportunities to speak to new people – this may happen in a meeting or if you are working with a different team.

Career or Job Fair- you want to be ready to make a positive impression.
Information interviews- you are interviewing someone to learn about her or his industry or company; you too will answer questions. 

Spend a few minutes crafting your pitch and be prepared for the opportunities ahead.

Career Pathways

My summer student asked me how she could become an executive in a company. How could she move up? This is a great question.  If you are trying to get to a certain level in your career, what is the pathway to get there? Do you have a line of sight to where you want to be in your career? If you want to be a manager, an entrepreneur, a vice president or CEO, can you visualize the required steps? If we consider the highest echelons of organizations, they are generally structured in a similar way. There is the leader (CEO, Executive Director, President, General Manager) and that person has a team reporting to her or him, consisting of leaders in operations, along with key support areas such as finance, human resources, information technology, sales and marketing, etc.

Finding Your Career Pathway
Consider if you have the background and skills to ascend through an organization by way of direct operations. Direct operations mean different things in different sectors; for example, in healthcare, direct operations usually entail interaction with a patient, so a clinical background is important to enter management through this pathway.

Alternatively, your skills and background may provide a pathway through a support function such as finance, technology, human resources or sales marketing. It may also be helpful to eliminate pathways that are not feasible for you. For example, if you do not have a finance background, it is unlikely you will rise to executive ranks as the Chief Financial Officer. What are the pathways that are closed to you because of your interests, background and skills?

To help you explore your career pathway, try to understand the structure of your organization. Look for opportunities to learn about other divisions and departments; for example, speak to people who work in operating and support areas. You can ask to job shadow someone in areas you are interested in, or ask a senior executive for an information interview to learn more about how the person got to her or his position.   

Having a line of sight to your career goals will help you achieve them sooner. Happy climbing!

More Career Sites
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/
http://www.jobseekersadvice.com/
http://talentegg.ca/incubator/
http://www.careerjoy.com/

Ignite Your Passion

A billion people (a billion!) watched the final match of the FIFA World Cup. Throughout the tournament, vuvuzelas played in full force and fans worldwide were entranced by the brilliant plays, the stunning upsets and the suspense of which team would be acclaimed the best. There has been a stirring of the world’s pride and passion. This energy is captivating. How do we ignite our own passion? You may be deeply passionate about your job right now or you may be in a role where you do not feel connected. Whatever the situation, it is possible to infuse passion into your work and your life. Here are a few tips:

Choose to be Happy
We can start every day with the intention to be happy. On really tough days, we can at least refrain from spreading our unhappiness around.

Be curious
Curiosity about other people’s views, ways of doing things and ideas can open up our own creativity. Ask questions; people love to talk about themselves.

Shake things up
Sometimes a game plan change can help you see things differently. Change your routine (any routine) just for fun.

Dare to take risks
Next time you have a decision or choice to make, consider the worst thing that can happen if you take a risk. If manageable, why not give it a try?

Do Things With Others in Mind
When we do things with the benefit of others in mind, it helps both parties. Creating positive energy for others begets positive energy for you.

Have fun
A sense of humour always makes a situation easier. Learn to laugh at yourself and not sweat the small stuff.

Information Interviews

I have always wanted to meet Oprah Winfrey. She is remarkable in so many ways. She is creative, smart and has an unbelievable work ethic. I would love to ask her a few questions, like “How do you stay motivated?”, “How do you keep your life balanced?”, “Do you still love what you are doing?” and many more. While we may not have the opportunity to meet Oprah Winfrey or our favorite sport or movie star, there are fantastic people, right in our networks, or perhaps one degree away from us, whose answers to questions like these would be valuable and extremely helpful to our careers.

Think about who you know now, or who could connect you to someone in your industry, profession, or a person who has a job you aspire to. Ask the person to meet you, with the objectives of learning more about the person and getting advice for your own career. Information interviews with successful people can be extremely illuminating. The key is to be prepared by doing some research about the person and her or his work in advance and consider the questions that you want to ask. Here are a few to get you started:

• Tell me about your career path.
• How did you get your current job?
• What is your industry/sector like to work in?
• What are your greatest challenges at work?
• What do you love the most?
• What does a typical day look like?
• What kinds of decisions do you make?
• How does your position fit within the organization/industry?
• How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
• What current issues and trends do you see?
• What are some common career paths in your industry/sector?
• What kinds of accomplishments are valued and rewarded?
• Do you have advice for me on how to get into this industry?
• Is there anyone you think I should speak to?

Find opportunities to connect with people who can share their knowledge, insight and perspectives with you. You will be enriched by each conversation you have. Happy interviewing!

Pay It Forward

I just wrapped up two book launch parties, one in London, Ontario and another in Toronto. They were so much fun! Obviously I am a bit biased, but I think everyone enjoyed themselves and there was a lot of mingling going on. I especially appreciated my family, who was out in full force; selling books, greeting people, serving as masters of ceremonies, making introductions, coordinating the event etc. I am so fortunate to have this kind of support readily accessible. When I thanked my sister for coordinating the Toronto event, she said “Well, I finally have a chance to pay you back for everything you’ve done for me.” I really believe in the concept of ‘paying it forward’; that when you help people, you will always get it back in some way.

There are innumerable ways to pay it forward in your workplace, both large and small. Here are just a few:
- Help out a colleague who is trying to meet a deadline or finish a project.
- Celebrate the success of others.
- Bring in treats for your team.
- Offer to share your resources; for example, people, funds, space.
- Clean up the kitchen even if it is not your mess.
- Give someone a compliment.
- Volunteer to do a task that no one else wants to do.

Paying it forward in your workplace helps you shift your attitude from entitlement or negativity to a more positive, open attitude. By doing any one of the tasks listed above, you create uplifted energy. This energy really helps your workplace environment. Think about how you can ‘pay it forward’ today.

Globe Life | Work & Money Article

Don’t I know you...? What happens when Star Wars Kid grows up? 

From light-sabre celebrity to public official: Eight years on, Star Wars Kid shows you can never quite escape your past

Wency Leung
Globe and Mail Update Published on Monday, May. 17, 2010

Read Full Article

Interview about Gen Y on the Naburrs and Friends show

Listen to my interview about Gen Y on the Naburrs and Friends show

Radio Show 1

Radio Show 2

I am pleased to announce that my book, “Inspire Your Career: Strategies for Success in Your First Years at Work” is now published. Come and celebrate! Parties are being held in London, ON May 11th, Toronto ON May 12th, Sarnia, ON May 21st and Vancouver BC June 10th. For more information, go to www.inspireyourcareer.com or let us know you are coming at rsvp@inspireyourcareer.com.

'A' is for Attitude

I was at the Air Canada counter in Florida last week and had the nicest woman helping me. She was customer-service oriented and refreshingly positive and upbeat. Amazing how a short exchange with a person like this can really change your mood and make your entire day. Attitude is something we choose, every day, every minute. Some people are naturally cheerful. For others, it takes a little more effort to project a good attitude. How do we keep a positive attitude about our work, our colleagues and our clients?

- Don’t take things personally. See situations as an interested third party “Isn’t that interesting how angry she is.” or “I wonder why he feels so strongly about this.”
- Be curious. Be curious about why a person is saying what she is saying; be curious about why a person feels a certain way.
- See possibilities and opportunities. The glass is always full. There is something to learn or a way to grow in every interaction and situation. See the potential in even the hardest situations.
- Be engaged. Having a great attitude is much easier when you embrace your work and role. You can do this even if you don’t love your job. Putting energy into your work gives you a lot back in return.
- Take pride in your work. You may not always get the recognition you want, but you can always seek validation internally that you are doing a good job and making a difference.

Articles on mentoring:

http://www.mentors-mmha.com/articles.php

http://www.sagementors.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29

Open Source mentoring site

The International Mentoring Network Association believes in ‘open source’ mentoring. http://www.imno.org

Mentors Matter

Mentors are such an important part of our lives. We can learn so much from the example, experiences and advice of others. When I first started in accounting, I really resisted the profession. I thought it would be boring and that I wouldn’t be interested in my work. I was fortunate enough to work for someone who was smart, but also extraverted and social. He didn’t quite fit the mould. I learned a lot from him, not just technically, but also how to build strong client relationships and have a great attitude when you came to work.

How do you find mentors? Seek them out. Don’t wait for your boss or your workplace to organize this for you. Seek mentors from your whole network of friends, family, past and current colleagues and social circles. Mentors are of all ages and come from all walks of life, so have an open mind about who can assist you. Spend some time formulated what exactly it is that you would like a mentor to help you with. For example, are you looking for advice about changing jobs, about moving up in your organization or about acquiring a particular skill? Articulate what your objectives are in finding a mentor. This will help you to choose people who can help you meet your objectives, as well as give you a sense of how long you need to meet with the person. You may just need to meet once, for a few hours, or you may want an ongoing relationship where you meet regularly.

Once you have identified your objectives and the type of person you are looking for, start reaching out. You can approach people directly and ask if they would be willing to spend time with you and you can also ask your contacts if they know of anyone who might be a good mentor to you. The key is not to hold back, just jump in and go for it. The worst thing that can happen is the person declines because they don’t have the time. And even in this scenario, you still have made the person aware of what you need and now you have an ally who might be able to connect you someone else or help you in the future. Lastly, don’t forget to pay things forward, and be available to others when they need you as a mentor.

The Olympic Spirit at Work

The 2010 Winter Olympics have begun and Clara Hughes was Canada’s flag-bearer in Vancouver. Clara is a remarkable. She is the only athlete in history to win multiple medals in both Winter and Summer Olympics. She’s also an advocate for the environment, a humanitarian activist and motivational speaker. Clara exudes the Olympic spirit, and is an inspiration for all of us to be the best we can be.

Like our athletes, we can experience highs and lows at work; times where we feel on top of the world and times were we feel overwhelmed. When we are confronted by a difficult colleague, it can be hard to keep an Olympic attitude, one that exudes confidence and optimism. Like the inspiration we draw from people like Clara, we too can be inspiring at work. How can we maintain our Olympic spirit?

Tune into your body and mind – Athletes know the importance of being in tune with themselves, both mentally and physically. We can be in tune with ourselves at work, mentally and physically. Are you tired? Worried? Energized? Bored? Do a mental check-in before you go to work or pause to reflect on a particular situation at work.

Stay focused and persevere– Keep your eye on your end goal. It may be a promotion you want, or closing a deal with a new client. Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve – write it down, or communicate it with someone else. Not everything goes according to plan and outcomes can shift along the way. Persevere through periods of change or challenge.
Stay present – Watching athletes is inspiring. They are fully present in what they are doing. We too can practice being fully present at work and in our lives. As we watch our Olympians, let’s remind ourselves to stay in the situation and moment we are in, letting go of the past and future.

Enjoy the Olympics!

Check out www.charityvillage.com

Charity Village is a supersite for the non-profit sector. The site is jammed with resources and helpful tools. Take a look at the Resources/Library section. Even if you don’t work in the non-profit sector, you can look for volunteer opportunities in your area or check out the list of free and almost free publications: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/lib11.html

Take Three Breaths

I started a new job this week as Senior Vice President in a large health services and accommodation company. ‘Humbling’ was the word for the week. I got lost going to the kitchen (someone found me) and parked in the wrong spot (luckily no ticket). I mixed up two people and invited the wrong one to a meeting (they look nothing alike). I shattered a glass (and couldn’t find a broom). I misplaced my identification (honestly, it just disappeared) and on day two, my boss asked why my office wasn’t organized (hello... I started y-e-s-t-e-r-d-a-y).

Breathe. That was the advice I gave myself, just breathe. Three deep breaths can change everything.

There will be times when we feel hurt, fearful or out of control. How can we help manage our stress and anxiety? Here are a few tips:

Use breathing- Take deep breaths to calm yourself down and allow for more clarity before you speak or act.

Exercise– Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good.
Hang out with nature – Nothing beats trees, rocks, water and clean air. Get close to nature when you are feeling stressed.

Get enough sleep – Rest can make a huge difference in how you feel and how you react.

Talk things out – Friends or family members are great for listening and commiserating with. Don’t be afraid to lean on someone.

Let go of the negative thoughts in your mind- Pay attention to your thoughts for part of the day. Toss the negative ones away.

Light a candle, take a bath, play your favourite tune – Basically do whatever helps you to calm down, both physically and mentally.

As we begin this new decade, take an active role in maintaining your health and happiness.