Ever had one of those days where you just crushed it? When you were unstoppable?
I had one on Wednesday. Five important meetings. Five victories. Everything flowed. I was organized. I was focused and laser sharp. Felt amazing.
What made it such a great day? Was it luck … good fortune … karma? Nope. It was planning and preparation. Simply put, I had my $hit together. I had a good night’s sleep, which I seldom do. I made my To-Do list and prioritized it. I got to work early. I knew what to expect. I hit all my meetings and conference calls on time. Got all the boxes checked-off. Nothing magical – just good, solid planning and execution.
Now, here comes the insight.
When I woke up on Thursday, I reflected for a few moments on the great day before. What’s important, next, is what I did not do. I did not reward myself by sleeping in. I didn’t celebrate my excellent Wednesday performance with a leisurely breakfast at the diner, nor did I take an hour to goof off in any way. I didn’t boast of my accomplishments to my co-workers or post a cocky status update on Facebook. Sure, I thought about doing all of those things. But what I did, instead, was an exact repeat of the day before. I planned my day, created my To-Do list, prioritized it, got ready and headed straight back to the office.
In other words, I proceeded to excel again.
In essence, I pulled a “Groundhog Day.” (Short version of the 1993 film: a weatherman relives the same day over and over again. Disregard the fact that he’s having a bad day, and instead imagine that it’s you–and you’re having a great day.)
That’s the mark of a true professional. You bring your “A game.”
You finish your day in strong fashion. And then …. you wake up and do it all over again. So embrace the rhythm and consistency of maintained excellence. Embrace your Groundhog Day.
Note: This is Part 7 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Because I have the privilege of working with Bob Simpson. For those of you who don’t know Bob, he’s a succession planning expert, a partner in the accounting firm of Dixon Hughes, and an all-around leadership junkie. Bob has the aura of a great mentor and, while I’ve never filled out a tax return (ever), I’ve learned a lot from him about how to be a professional with class.
One of the most valuable things I’ve picked up from Bob is the notion of “Five Star Service.” Indeed, we talk a lot in business about having “first-class customer service”, but what does that really mean? Before his firm merged with Dixon Hughes a few years ago, Bob used to give new employees a wallet-sized card that served as a small, yet convenient reminder of what was expected of them as representatives of the company.
In short, Five Star Service.
The cards were a casualty of the merger, but I found one recently stuffed under a label maker and probably long since forgotten. As I reviewed the card, I was impressed by how a grand behemoth like customer service could be distilled to something the size of a driver’s license.
In fact, what makes the card so effective is its simplicity. The basics of Five Star Service for large accounting firms are, in effect, the same as top notch service in a restaurant. In other words:
1.) Take the Order: Listen to your customers and find out exactly what they’re looking for. Be crystal clear on the frontend to avoid headaches on the backend.
2.) Connect: Develop a relationship with the customer based on attentive service to their needs. Go over and above their expectations.
3.) Deliver the Order: This is more than just turning in the work – it’s about ascertaining satisfaction by asking what you did right and how you could improve in the future. Don’t be afraid of honest answers – learn from them.
4.) Offer Dessert: A good waiter / waitress will always show you the dessert menu, even if you claim to be on a diet. So take a cue from this tactic and identify additional opportunities to service your client. Even if they don’t take you up on the offer, you can give them a small deliverable you know they’ll need later at no charge, e.g. “Provide a mint.”
5.) Collect the Check: Some people squirm at the very thought of asking for money, but if you’ve “taken the order” accurately, and “provided a mint”, you should be able to bill and get paid promptly.
Whether you follow these principles or not, I challenge you to condense your own customer service philosophy to the size of a business card. Just be sure to keep it from under the label maker, OK?
Note: This is Part 6 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
By nature, most of us are either internally driven (ego) or externally conditioned (family, school, athletics, dating, etc.) to focus on making ourselves look good. But how much time do we spend making others look good? Honestly, very few of us spend any time on it at all. However, we should …if we truly desire to reach our ultimate level of success.
Here’s how it goes: When I spotlight (or glorify) myself, one person might benefit. Me. (Maybe.) But when I shine the spotlight (or edify) a colleague, two people benefit: both my colleague and I.
Here’s an illustrative example. Say my co-author Emily Bennington and I are meeting with a potential new client. He’s looking to hire someone to conduct a full-day seminar on professionalism and teamwork for his first-year employees. At the meeting, I could spend time pontificating on how great I am – or – I could shine the spotlight on Emily. I could talk about Emily’s education and her leadership skills, citing examples such as the young professional’s group she led. In a very sincere, genuine manner, I would also talk what a great communicator Emily is, both as a writer and a speaker … making certain to mention her wit, her world travels, and her love of literature. I would likely wrap up by discussing how much time Emily spends recruiting and advising young professionals in her work for a large, national accounting firm…adding in praise for how she manages to achieve so much while balancing her responsibilities as a mother, wife and community leader.
Do you think it’s more credible and convincing for him to hear about Emily’s accomplishments from me, rather than from her? You bet. Plus, the conversation not only makes Emily look good, it’s also gratifying to her ego. This might bolster her confidence, elevate her mood and increase her positive energy—thus improving the chances for a great meeting. Finally, this approach makes me look good too, as someone with Emily’s talent and credentials would not have a slouch as her business partner.
In short, to edify is to uplift. It is the act of shining a spotlight on the talents, skills or qualities of another in a manner that builds faith and confidence in that person. This is a subtle yet very powerful skill and, because it is so rarely practiced, it is huge opportunity to differentiate yourself and win respect from others. Try it!
Note: This is Part 5 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
I was in a meeting recently with a young woman who wasn’t getting her way. She was pushing for an idea she strongly believed in… but the others were less convinced.
As the meeting wore on, she became increasingly aggressive. As she continued to state her case, her voice got higher and more hostile. When forced to listen to opposing views, she sunk low in her seat with her arms folded until, eventually, the meeting chairman tabled the issue altogether.
As I witnessed the exchange, I couldn’t help but think that if this woman were aware of how she was coming across to everyone else, she would be embarrassed. In fact, up until the point she allowed her raw passion take over, I had viewed her as smart, savvy…even poised.
In the end, she never did get her way but, more than that, she alienated a few colleagues, causing rifts that have not entirely subsided many weeks later.
This exchange underscores the 60/30/10 rule of communication. In other words….
60% of communication is body language. I’m sure this woman thought she was doing the “proper” thing in listening to others voice their concerns, but her crossed arms and eye rolling spoke volumes about how she really felt.
30% is how clearly you speak. In the meeting above, as everyone became more impassioned about their own points of view, the less those points actually made sense. Accordingly, because people eventually just started reacting to each other with no advance thought, nothing was accomplished.
10% is the message. To be honest, I can no longer remember what my colleague was originally so fired up about, but I do remember how she lost her cool in a professional environment.
Assuming you’re reading this because you want to become a leader within your organization, it’s important for you to be highly aware of your own body language when communicating with others. So don’t let a good message get lost in poor delivery. Because when it comes to communicating effectively, how you say it is always as important as what you say.
Note: This is Part 4 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
As the owner of a boutique communications firm, I’ve hired and worked with young executives for over a decade and there’s something I need to get off MY chest. I know everyone wants to be attractive and stylish. But if your cleavage is screaming, “Look at me!” it’s tough to get others to pay attention to anything else, especially your great ideas.
If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of your attire, ask a trusted friend for their opinion. Otherwise, if it feels like people (especially men) are looking at you differently… you may be suffering from the proverbial wardrobe malfunction.
So ladies, by all means stand out because of what you have on top. Just make sure it’s your mind.
P.S. Guys – if you’re showing cleavage, we need to talk, too.
Note: This is Part 3 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Ever had a quote change your life? I’ve had three.
Here’s the first: “Want it and you’ll never have it. Become it and it’s yours.” I have to admit that it took a while before this one really clicked. About nine years in the workforce to be exact. I’ve spent (that is, wasted) a lot of time wanting to be a lot of things in my career… a more sophisticated executive, an author, teacher, expert, you name it.
I spent a full year trying (unsuccessfully) to find an agent for my book before I finally said, “Screw it. I’m going to write the damn thing anyway.” And once I started writing, something happened.
I started to see myself as an author and my pride in the work swelled exponentially. So I kept on writing – and being disciplined about it – because that’s what authors do. As you might expect, when I shifted my self-perception from “would-be” to “current” author, I found an agent.
Which brings me to Quote #2: “The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering hismind.” When I stumbled upon this James Truslow Adams quote a few years ago, it reminded me that success isn’t always about who has the most talent. More often than not, it’s about who believes in themselves the most. It’s a mental game where confidence and positivity win.
Today, I try very hard to block negative thought patterns entirely. If something goes wrong at work, my immediate response is not, “Who’s responsible?” but “How can we fix it?” If I’m disappointed because things aren’t happening quickly enough in my career, I replace the pessimistic notions with a positive action item I could get to work on instead. Worrying isn’t going to help me accomplish my goals, but being productive will. Make sense? This one doesn’t come natural, but I’m proof that it will come with concentration and practice over time.
Finally, Quote #3 is my favorite because it’s really a summation of the other two: “We tend to judge ourselves by our intentions, whereas others judge us by our actions.” I confess I don’t know who said that, but I wish I had. So today, if you’re spinning your wheels dreaming about what you’re going to do or going to become in 2010, stop dreaming and start doing. Create a vision of your best possible self and become that person right now. What are you waiting for?
Note: This is Part 2 in a series called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z” by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, co-authors of Effective Immediately: How to Fit In, Stand Out, and Move Up at Your First Real Job.
Note: This is the first post in a new series Emily and I created called the “2010 Career Challenge: Becoming a Rock Star from A to Z.” Over the next several weeks, we are providing concise – and alphabetical – tips designed to help you elevate your game at work.
A = Aim.
Aim to be the best at something. Become the best writer. The best number-cruncher. The best presenter. Whatever. The point is to aim.
As I look back on 2009, the things in my life and in my work where I had the most success were totally aligned with my goals. I wrote them down. I looked at them often, and I tracked my progress. Throughout the year, I remained conscious of my ultimate aim.
If you are following this blog, there is a good chance that you are an ambitious go-getter. You want to succeed and, to do that, you need to differentiate and distinguish yourself.
So, set some goals. Take aim!!
I can guarantee you this: if you just go along with the program… regardless of how diligent and dutiful you are… you are not going to move up or get ahead. The “system” will not advance you. You mustaim to become the best. This point may seem simple, but you would be surprised at the percentage of so-called professionals who mindlessly drift along through their work, never achieving all they are capable of.
Therefore, if you are truly committed to your success… if you are ready to take aim… here’s my challenge to you: shoot for the 4% club.
Most people think it’s good to get to the top 20% of one’s class/group/profession. We all know the 80/20 rule, right? 80 percent of performance results are generated by 20 percent of performers. But I want you to get into the top 20% of the top 20%. In other words, The 4% Club.
This is entirely possible! What’s required to get there is aim (focus), the ongoing commitment to refine your skills, the desire to acquire new skills, and the determination to become the best.
Everyone in the top 20% has talent and smarts. Those in the top 4%, however, tend to be more focused and more apt to put in the extra work. Think of the top 20 sprinters in the sport of track & field. There’s a huge difference in the best times between #1 and #20–but not much difference between #1 and #4. Extra practice, better running form, better nutrition and better rest/recuperation are the factors likely that separate the top 4% from the others. Simply stated, they are more focused and their aim is more precise.
Do you have the desire and the fortitude to get to The 4% Club?
Picture yourself one year from now. It’s January 2011 and you are just coming off your most successful year to date. What do you see?
Promotion? New job? New business venture?
Since ambiguous goals are never achieved, really spend some time analyzing what you want most from your career over the next 12 months.
To get started, sequester yourself in a quiet spot and write down some initial ideas. It may help to get outside your everyday surroundings for this. Personally, I do my best creative thinking at bookstores but, then again, I’m a writer.
Next, add some framework to your vision with the following four steps:
1. Craft a clear statement of what you desire most. Your notes should give you a good 10,000-foot overview of what you hope to achieve this year. Now you need to distill them down to one, actionable sentence. For example, “In 2010, I will get promoted to senior account executive.”
2. Outline the plan you’re going to use to reach that goal. Don’t be intimidated by the word ‘plan’. A plan is nothing more than a list of activities arranged by priority and sequence. It doesn’t have to be a Broadway production. The best format I’ve seen recently is from Chris Brogan, uber-blogger and author of Trust Agents. He uses an Excel spreadsheet, placing his action items vertically in the A column. The months of the year are listed horizontally across the top and, when he achieves a goal, an “x” is marked in the column where they meet. Further proof that, when it comes to productivity, the most effective ideas are usually the simplest. Note: If it’s not a measurable, quantifiable objective, it doesn’t belong on this spreadsheet. Kapish?
3. Set a time when you intend to reach your goal. If you want to trick out your spreadsheet, create separate pages for each month at the bottom and file all of your objectives according to when you want to achieve them. (This is what I did for 2010.) To use the example above, if it’s your goal to become senior account executive, you’ll want to observe a few folks in that role and incorporate the best of their behaviors while adding a few silver bullets of your own. The sample plan shown here has several ideas (e.g., demonstrating your potential by leading a client service project, etc.), but the template is included more to outline the format of your spreadsheet than the content.
4. Review and update your plan frequently. This isn’t something you create and file indefinitely. Your career strategy for 2010 should be a working, breathing document. I review my plan constantly, and I’m always making tweaks based on new goals or information. Not only does this keep me focused on the right things, but it’s incredibly convenient to have where I’m going, how I plan to get there, and when I want to arrive all in one place.
Join the career community we're growing over on Facebook. Mostly for new grads, but good lessons for us seasoned veter…http://lnkd.in/4ZJqvp 1 hour ago
Ever had one of those days where you just crushed it? When you were unstoppable?
