Career Change can challenge achievers more than non-achievers

Today's Seattle Times carried an article, Financial scams can fool even the money-wise. Click here to read the article. Why am I not surprised? Because I've learned that career achievers often experience the greatest difficulty in making career change. I've said it's because the rules are different. Readers will remember me saying (over and over again), "Career success is like NFL football. Career change is like playground basketball." But there are similarities to the financial vulnerability described in this article. Achievers are used to making their own decisions. They're confident: "I've been successful in the past and I can succeed again." They also tend to be overly optimistic, believing in straightforward solutions. And that's why they're vulnerable to pitches from overenthusiastic coaches and outright scams, like the resume-blasting services. (OK, they do send resumes around, but they usually do more harm than good.) And those vulnerable to scams tend to have more challenges in their lives, such as illness. What the article doesn't say is that intuition can be silent during a crisis or a transition. That's because intuition feeds on knowledge. And in a transition, we're in a betwixt and between state of knowing nothing. I discuss this topic extensively in my Special Report on Intuition. I've been there too. I've hired some of the worst coaches and consultants on the planet, at least for me. With my own clients, I try to be as realistic as possible. But of course, being solid achievers, most of us opt for optimism, to our own peril.

[Your Career Strategy] Discretion at work

A reader asks, “We spent so many hours in the workplace. We begin to believe our coworkers are our friends. How can we be open and friendly yet protect ourselves?” Good question. As my long-time readers know, I encourage everyone to err on the side of discretion. I’ve met few people who said, “I wish I’d shared more.” I’ve met many who say, “I wish I had said nothing.” (1) Assume everyone’s connected. In a new job or a new city, it’s easy to share our fears, worries and first impressions. But your next door neighbor may have hidden ties to your boss (or your landlord). Your coworker may be newly divorced from the newly hired management consultant. It happens. (2) Come across as positive. This one can be difficult. As a newcomer, you’ll inevitably find much to criticize in your new world. But everyone’s looking to you as the new ray of sunshine. Let them down at your peril. (3) Expect players to change roles. Your best confidante can become your new boss, new subordinate or fiercest competitor. A coworker can become a source of business referrals. When roles move the other way, from friendship to business, we usually lose the friendship and end up leaving the business. (4) Choose the language of discretion. Some of my favorite people like to use what we might call colorful language – the type of talk you’d hear on The Sopranos or SATC in HBO-land. But if I met them in a business setting, for the very first time, I’d be the opposite of impressed. And I recommend avoiding even a hint of prejudice or stereotyping. Ever. Even when joking. (5) Welcome to the Real World. Over twenty years ago, Mary Tyler Moore threw her perky winter hat into the air to open her television show. Since then many viewers wished for a cozy work setting that was one big family, like theirs. We forget the family was often dysfunctional. We forget the setting was a rundown company that was going nowhere. Anyway, Mary’s real life counterpart couldn’t afford the clothes. You may be one of the lucky few who felt very close to a boss or coworker, a few jobs ago, or maybe now. It happens. But most of the time, you’re always on-stage in your own real life drama. Rather than seek closeness with coworkers, I’ve found that successful achievers usually build a personal circle of confidantes, coaches, consultants, friends and family. They get strength off the job so they can appear strong on the job, even when they feel scared, weak and frustrated. I’m sure some of you will disagree with me. Share your ideas by replying to this ezine, leaving the subject line as is. Some good reading by other authors: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/topcareerbooks.html

[Career change] "Reeling from Rumor"

It happened fast. Fans of Seattle Storm WNBA basketball were heading into the gym for a noontime game when they began to hear the whispers: “Storm and Sonics are moving to Oklahoma.” Some listened to car radios on their way to the game. Others picked up the word from street vendors. Everyone was in shock and you might as well have hung black banners from the rafters. Although newspapers reported the team hadn’t been told, the Storm played a miserable game. So what if you hear rumors that affect your career or your business? (1) Differentiate rumors and gossip. Gossip tends to be presented as fact about people. Rumors tend to be speculations about forthcoming events, according to Ralph Resnow, a former Temple psychology professor. I would add, “Rumors tend to raise questions like, ‘What should we do?’” We feel we need to take action, now or in the present. (2) Assess the impact on your future if the rumor turns out to be true. Let’s face it: I would sorely miss the Storm if they moved across the bridge to Bellevue, let alone to Oklahoma. I probably wouldn’t leave Seattle or change much of my life. But if you hear a rumor about layoffs and mergers, you may realize you could experience very serious consequences. (3) Create a plan for your worst case scenario. For basketball, my worst case scenario means finding a new entertainment (okay, fanaticism) for many summer evenings beginning 2008. For some of my clients, a worst case scenario might mean looking for a new job. Some might consider starting a business. (4) Identify actions to prepare for your worst case scenario. Recently a client emailed to set up a consultation to get his resume revised. He had just heard rumors of a merger affecting his company sometime in the coming fall. “I will probably be safe,” he said, “but I want to be prepared.” “In my experience,” I said, “those who plan ahead tend to be spared the worst impact of a business crisis. No magic: they present a strong image and they think clearly.” Beyond preparing a resume, you have to weigh the consequences of other actions, such as communicating with a recruiter. (5) Present an appearance of calm confidence. I encourage clients to avoid sharing fears and anxieties with others in the workplace, including their own customers. Hire professional resources to deal with feelings and/or make plans for your next career. And finally, during a time of anxiety, everyone will seem like an expert. We’re all tempted to turn to friends, family, neighbors, dog-walkers and even strangers, hoping for facts that will put our worst fears to rest. Chances are, they know less than they claim. I must admit I called a good friend on the East Coast who is a lifelong sports fan. “They’ll never go to Oklahoma,” he said confidently. “No audience! Who watches basketball in Oklahoma?” The next day, I learned that a New Orleans NBA team had temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City following Katrina. Local residents eagerly bought season tickets, raising attendance to sixth in the league. I’m no longer reassured. But I’m motivated to learn a lot more about rumors and continue to work with clients who deal –and reel -- with them.

[Career change tips] "Diversify and keep your power"

Recently a client said, "I've identified two companies that I'd really, really like to work for. Should I concentrate all my efforts on those companies or keep other avenues open?" Here's what I'd say. Sometimes a laser focus pays off. I once met "Ruth," who was absolutely determined to get a career in hotel sales. She began attending industry meetings, building relationships with key hotel managers and taking classes in hospitality management. After awhile she began to look as though she belonged. And eventually she did land an offer. Ruth invested several months in her search. Thanks to unemployment and severance, she could take time off to mount a dedicated campaign. Most of my clients can't. If Ruth had been my client, I would have suggested moving in more than one direction. After all, suppose she reaches her Paradise and finds a half dozen alligators hiding in the swamp (which she thought was a lake, actually)? And by keeping multiple irons in the fire, she would come across as confident and strong rather than needy and desperate. Targeting a single comany is even more hazardous than choosing a single industry. Keep a Plan B going and diversify your portfolio of opportunities.

[Great career moves] Taking a personal day?

The New York Times's "Career Couch" section posed the question, "Should you lie to your employer if if you're taking a day off for fun in the sun? Not surprisingly, everyone they asked said, "Don't do it!" Well, if you're going to be quoted in a national newspaper, would you advise readers to lie? Think of the liability, if nothing else. Frankly, I think we need to question why we measure our value in hours, days, months and years. You do your work, whenever and wherever you want. When you're done, you stop. Period. Sometimes you do need face time. But a lot of requirements seem based on ego, not necessity. So what would I say to a client? I say, "I'm not going to tell you whether to lie about anything. That's up to you. But if you're going to embark on a career change, you'll need time to go on interviews and attend meetings. You'll even need time to talk to me! If you can't carve out this time, you'll face a challenge." Typically, my clients tend to be on a sufficiently high level, so they don't need to take a day off. THey have leeway in scheduling. But I'm always surprised how much surveillance takes place, even at the highest levels. A personal day? Everyone I know has taken a mental health day at some time or other. You have to know your own organization's culture about personal days, lying, and generally being uptight versus reasonable. Some organizations expect you to lie. Others view even a small fib as a firing offense. Life is short. Do what you have to do. And set a goal of working somewhere sane, so you don't have to sneak out on a magnificent Friday afternoon.