In Praise of Optimism, with a Loving Nod to My Grandma Lucy…..

The best path is always the positive one. I owe the following parable to my dear Grandma Lucy Matilda Rhoads Davis. She’s in Heaven now, but thoughts of her always bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. Here it is…

Old Saidie, an aged widow in a sleepy little town, always had a nice thing to say about everyone she met. She didn’t seem to have a negative bone in her body, and was consistently able to point out the good side of people.

Well, the town drunk died. This ne’er do well had never held a job in his life. His entire existence consisted of scaring toddlers, taking advantage of others or bumming money for cigarettes and alcohol. As he had finally passed away, the entire town showed up at the funeral, if only to find out what Saidie would have to say about a man who seemed to be totally lacking any good qualities in his entire life.

As Saidie shuffled up to the casket, one brave soul called out, “Hey, Saidie! What did you think of Mr. Johnson?!

Without missing a beat, Saidie smiled and exclaimed, “Oh, couldn’t he whistle?!”

Let’s be more like Saidie, finding and celebrating the Best that’s around us. We just have to pay attention to find it!

Thanks, Grandma Lucy!

Yahoo!, The Pareto Principle and the Careerist

Let’s start with Yahoo! Developed in 1994 by two electrical engineering PhD candidates at Stanford (David Filo and Jerry Yang), it was originally called “David’s and Jerry’s Guide to the World Wide Web.” Not very catchy, so they came up with “Yahoo!” – easily remembered and, more importantly, they identified with the definition of a yahoo: “rude, unsophisticated, uncouth” (for data junkies like me, also the name of repulsive beings created by Jonathan Swift for his book Gulliver’s Travels).

The Yahoo name became an acronym for “Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle,” eventually acquiring the interpretation “You Always Have Other Options” as well. To quote former Yahoo! employee Ellen Simonoff, “People worked hard and ran fast because they realized they always had to stay ahead of the competition, … In those days, you couldn’t get your clothes on fast enough to get to work. And you couldn’t find a spot in the employee parking lot on Saturdays.”

Now, on to the Pareto Principle – also known as the 80–20 rule. Simply stated, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. Once again, to satisfy the incurably curious among us (OK, me!), this rule came from business management consultant Joseph M. Juran, naming it after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. Pareto developed the principle by observing that 20% of the pea pods in his garden contained 80% of the peas.

Now, to put these two diverse topics together. In their excellent book The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers, authors Citrin and Smith invoke what they call the “20/80 Principle of Performance.” In order to distinguish yourself, move beyond your assigned tasks (80%) to impact the organization at extraordinary levels (20%). Invest time going beyond your job description to grow as an individual and an employee.

When you do so, you continue to add value to your organization, enhance your professional development and create situations where you are able to contribute in new and significant ways.

And, if for any reason you and your organization decide to part ways in the future, “You Always Have Other Options.”

Well, DO you?!

The article, “Yahoo!, The Pareto Principle and the Careerist,” by Barry L. Davis, originally appeared in MCDA’s newsletter, Wellspring, at http://www.MDCareers.org. Copyright © March, 2013.

How to Fail in Your Job Search

Since I’ve had the privilege of working with a plethora of job hunters over the past twenty years, I thought I’d share some insights on the downside of the search adventure: How NOT to look for work. I can almost guarantee that following any one of these rules exclusively will increase the likelihood of your catching all the episodes of  “The View” and “Judge Judy” as well as completing “to-do lists” for everyone on your block!

Are you ready? OK, here we go…

Stick with only one job-search method.

There are a lot of job search techniques out there and I’m frequently asked which one should be used. The answer? Use ALL OF THEM! If you restrict your search activity to any single method (including excellent ones like research interviewing or networking), you severely limit your opportunity for success. For example, the ads in the Sunday News are real jobs, not hallucinations. The Internet does list employment opportunities. Some companies do have “NOW HIRING” signs on their front lawns. Talking to friends and relatives about your interests can help identify employment opportunities. Recruiters and agencies, used intelligently, can be helpful. Social Media applications (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) are becoming exceptional search tools. Although I recommend that you invest most of your time in activities that tap into the “hidden market” through research, social media and networking, an effective job search campaign is probably one that uses all available methods to unearth opportunities.

Apply for anything that isn’t nailed down.

When you reduce job hunting to the lowest common denominator, it’s basically a numbers game, right? So it stands to reason that the more times you apply, the more chances you have for success. Logic then dictates that every time you see any job that you’re even remotely qualified for (e.g., I’m not a brain surgeon, but I have a brain), you should go for it. Well, not really. First of all, you’re likely to experience an even higher level of frustration when you’re not considered for most of these positions, chipping away at your already fragile self esteem. In addition, you’ll probably invest a significant amount of time with little or no results. Finally, sooner or later you’re likely to be labeled in the employer community as someone who would do “anything for a buck.” Would YOU hire someone like that? Neither will they!

Tell everyone, everywhere, all the time, that you need work.

Similar to the above technique, this process will certainly gain you some visibility… as damaged goods! Although the vast majority of people will be willing to help, most of them will quickly tire of your contact as you continually bemoan your lack of a paycheck. OK, I know that’s not what you’re doing, but that’s what your approach will seem like to them! It won’t be long before the word is out for everyone to avoid you at all costs – crossing the street when they see you coming, getting caller ID, spam-blocking your e-mails, ignoring your LinkedIn connection request, turning you into a job search pariah. There is nothing wrong with staying in touch with others to assist you in your search, but you should be seeking information, advice and referrals, not pumping innocent bystanders for job leads.

Spend all of your time on your job hunting.

You’ve probably heard that “looking for a job is a full-time job.” I respectfully disagree. Looking for a job is NOT a full-time job; it’s much more that that! Looking for work is, for most of us, much harder than the most difficult job we’ll ever have. Be sure to schedule some downtime, fun activities and recovery time from the wear and tear of presenting yourself to potential employers. If you don’t, you’ll probably end up as a worn-out interviewee, barely able to sit up straight in a chair, not to mention being totally unable to sell your qualifications to the company. To quote a cartoon in my files, “My name is Bob and I need a job!” Be sure to schedule some relaxation and recreation along with all of your search activities. You’ll be a better candidate for it.

Use a resume that says you can do it all.

Since you don’t know exactly what a company may need to know about you, be sure to include every single job, experience, class, volunteer activity and project in your resume to make them aware of all of the marvelous ways you could contribute to their organization’s bottom line. This gives you the highest potential to connect your skills with the employer’s needs, right? Wrong! This will more likely turn your resume into an unread epic poem destined for the shredder or recycle bin. And if someone decides that he or she needs something to read before dozing off, it will show you to be an unfocused candidate who will happily take the first position offered (and just as likely to move on for something better as soon as the opportunity arises). Resumes need to be targeted, honest and focused to the needs of the industry, the market and the company.

I trust you get my point: the sooner you decide NOT to follow these rules, the sooner people will be able to send you “Congratulations!” on your new position!

What Career Coaches CAN’T Do For You….

Changes are rampant in the Job Market, likely never to return to any sort of “status quo.” Careerealism(c) has gone so far as to say “Because every job is temporary.” Many accomplished and competent professionals are finding themselves investigating and investing in something they would have never thought of a few years ago – a Career Coach. Such a move is fraught with both opportunities and threats. With all due respect to my chosen profession, there are some things that are clearly beyond the capability of even the most practiced of Career Coaches.

Of course, there are some “caveat emptor” issues that come to mind immediately, including– be sure to seek out someone with bona fide experience and related certification (there are numerous certifying organizations out there, not all of which are as bona fide as they may appear to be), request references from former clients, get a real sense of the potential investment in time and money, etc. Be a wise consumer….

All that being said, here are a few areas where I recommend you don’t “count on” Career Coaches (myself included!):

• A career coach cannot tell you what you should be when you grow up, or even what you should do next.

This is a moving target, open to all kinds of changes at all ages and life stages. There is just no way that anyone has the ability and the knowledge to guarantee what the “best job” is for someone else. What they should be able to do is help you understand more about where your passions lie, what your best skills are, how you find satisfaction and provide guidance and support in seeking the best possible matches in your work and life.

• A career coach cannot give you the ideal career path to follow from entry level to retirement.

Career paths are almost never straight. I once read that they are only linear in the rearview mirror! The fact is that the job market is so volatile and we humans are so malleable that one, specific “ideal career path” for most of us is probably a pipe dream.  By the way, this is good news, not bad!  This means that there could be any number of ways to arrive at Employment Nirvana, not just one!

• A career coach cannot have a one-size fits all process that will work effectively for everyone.

Unfortunately, some do have a very programmed, lock step, this-is-always-the-way-to-do-it approach where they follow the same process each time, just add the client. Once again, people are entirely too complex and complicated to all have the same needs and to respond in the same manner. This is not to say, however, that career assessment and career planning systems are all bad. There are some excellent products and processes out there that can be very helpful in directing vocational development at almost any age. But none of them are fail-safe!  You have to make allowances for the human element (after all, we all are human, right?).

• A career coach cannot have all the answers.

I know this is true for me! They should be asking you the right questions, though! And, to clarify, the professional career coach will be able to provide information, guidance, focus, skill-building and accountability, as well as assisting in reviewing and revising the process along the way, sharing insights and alternatives throughout.

As hackneyed as it may sound, Career Development is not a Destination; it’s a Journey.

The “Secret Sauce” of Success

I was introduced to this “secret” while listening to an interview with Dan Pink on his manga masterpiece The Adventures of Johnny Bunko. As Dan was recounting the key lessons learned by Johnny through that winsome sprite Diana (no spoilers here, you need to get and read this book!), he introduce me to Rule #4 – Persistence Trumps Talent. Dan went on to describe how the world was littered with competent, talented people who never realized their potential because they simply gave up, while others pressed on (perhaps even with less ability) to excellence.

Enter Angela Duckworth, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and her research on a personality trait she calls “grit.” She describes grit as “sticking with things over the very long term until you master them.” In one paper, she noted that “the gritty individual approaches achievement as a marathon; his or her advantage is stamina.”

Her research showed that the West Point cadet’s grit score was the best predictor of success in the rigorous summer training program known as “Beast Barracks.” It eclipsed more obvious traits such as intelligence, leadership ability or even physical fitness. In another example, the grittiest contestants at the Scripps National Spelling Bee were mostly likely to advance at least in part because they studied longer, not because they were smarter or even were better spellers!

As a marathon runner, this reminds me the anonymous paraphrase of Ecclesiastes 9:11 – The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.

How about you? Do you, like Marshall Rooster Cogburn, possess “True Grit?!”

What’s Your Email Handle, Good Buddy?

As I have noted on many other occasions (and will continue to do so), everything you say, quote, type, publish, email, etc. brands you. Of course, many of us will have email addresses related to an employer, but all of us should also have a personal email address for correspondence outside of work. Your email address is no less important than that post you just released to the world on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or the latest Social Media application that was just launched as I type this sentence.

Here are some quick recommendations, presented for your consideration:

Don’t be cute.

I never cease to be amazed by the incredibly clever, iconoclastic, cryptic, even mildly profane email addresses that polished and professional individuals use, to their own detriment. Why cheapen that carefully crafted resume or the LinkedIn profile that you labored over so long with an email address that starts with “deadhead” or “funky.monkey?” (Don’t laugh too loudly, I have seen these and much, much worse!) To quote an earlier and favorite blog of mine, “you should never say quote-unquote, only quote-end quote,” since you cannot take back something you have spoken or written. In case you are interested, here’s the link to that blog as well: http://bdavismcdp.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/why-you-should-never-say-quote-unquote.

Don’t broadcast information you need not share.

Believe it or not, I have learned things about people that I have no right to know based on their email addresses. Dates of birth, names of family members, strange hobbies, etc. are often broadcast unwittingly within those few letters and numbers that make up one’s email address. The best way to “brand” yourself in that email handle is with some kind of professional variation of your name – no more, no less.

Don’t cheapen your brand.

With all due respect to all of the free email programs out there, an email that ends with a suffix like “aol.com” brings flashbacks of the annoying sound of a dial-up modem followed by a sing-song voice enunciating that hackneyed phrase “You’ve got mail!” At the very least you should consider employing a more professional or current email program, or investigate purchasing your own personal domain to add another level of credibility to your “handle.” There are any number of services out there that offer this at reasonable rates.

I’ll close this blog with the classic catch-phrase of Chester Gould’s crime fighter Dick Tracy: “Six-two and even, over and out!”

Are You “Talented?”

I’ve always wanted to juggle. I have read books, studied YouTube videos, pored over websites, etc. All to no avail. Yet I have family members who have picked up three objects and successfully managed it with ease.

I guess I just don’t have the talent!

Talent. Talent Scouts. Talent Management.  The word turns up a lot. In my reading and musings over the years, I have learned of four key themes that every talent (skill, gift, aptitude, expertise, pick the synonym you wish) seems to have. Maybe they will help you find yours. Allow me to share them with you:

1. You have an instinctive, top of the mind ability to use it. World class athletes don’t have to think about how to stroke a tennis forehand, counselors have an innate ability to hear emotions, engineers naturally gather data for decision-making, etc. You need not think about how to do it. It just happens. It’s hard-wired into your psyche..

2. You have a desire, a yearning to use it, even if you have difficulty describing it! I am constantly amazed by clients who clearly have innate abilities that they practice daily in their work and play, yet are unable to recognize their significance in planning careers and life decisions.

3. When you are called upon to acquire knowledge in this area, it comes easily and quickly. I still recall my struggle with learning geography (“Why bother?” – I asked myself. “That’s what maps and Google Earth are for!”), yet I was able to soak up information on computer technology and New Testament Greek like a sponge!

4. As you look back on the practice of this “talent,” you experience true satisfaction. “Flow” is the term used by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (read my reviews of a number of his books at http://www.shelfari.com/bl_davis) to describe what he calls the “psychology of optimal experience.” When you are in Flow, you lose track of time and space. When finished, you feel that you have accomplished something worthwhile, something of true value. It was worth doing.

• If your talent meets these four criteria, then what are you waiting for? Start to use it!
• Or, if you’re having difficulty finding where your talents lie, let’s talk!