Gary writes,
"Create a positive difference in other people's lives. Help others become
the best they can be through the sharing of my own life experiences,
philosophies and insights, while learning from them and being attentive to
their needs and desires."
What better gift can any one give than true caring for another's welfare. The
full quote from Blake is: "He who would do Good to another must do it in the
Minute Particulars. General Good is the Plea of the Hypocrite, Scoundrel, and
Flatterer."
Other quotes that are meaningful to me are: "We must be the world we want to
create."-Ghandhi & "Nobody could make a greater mistake than he who did
nothing because he could only do a little." - Edmund Burke
Your sentiments need no further justification. I say this because I've
attached an article on Growing on the Job which points out that there is a
very practical benefit that comes from building sincere & caring 2-way
relationshops.
Carol Sager
The Critical Linkages II Newsletter
21 Wallis Rd.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
617/469-9644 v
617/469-9639 fax
sageredent@aol.com
GROWING ON THE JOB
As told to Carol Sager by Lyle Kirtman, outplacement counsellor for over
30 companies including Digital Corporation, Polaroid, and the Boston
Museum of Science.
After doing out-placement counseling with approximately 200 people in over
30 companies ranging from high tech firms to non-profit corporations, the
best advice I can give anyone in the workforce, regardless of your
profession or current job status, is start your outplacement process now
before it is needed. The two biggest mistakes people make when looking for
a job are assuming they'll get their next job through the newspaper want
ads and handing their job search over to a headhunter. Seventy five
percent of all jobs are gotten through informal networks...people who know
people who have a need for someone with your skills. The most valuable
thing you can do for yourself and others is constantly assess your skills,
develop new ones, and share what you can do with others.
The worst thing any one of us can do is go to work with the attitude that
all you have to do is do your job and don't talk to anyone unless it is
job related. The key to keeping the job you have, getting a promotion, or
finding another job is to build an ever-growing resource base of people
with whom you have a two-way relationships.
Network
Make three concentric circles. In the outermost circle, list family,
friends, acquaintances, people whom you know and can rely on for support.
In the middle circle list people you know who are good resources. They are
connected to people, have good ideas, and can provide advice, referrals,
and linkages. In the innermost circle, list people who can create jobs and
hire. Continually work at expanding the list of people in each circle.
Build Two-Way Relationships
Make contact with people wherever you go, sharing what you do and looking
for ways to help others. Chances are that if you can help someone else,
that person will also be able to help you. Follow the guidelines for
networking in the February 1994 Critical Linkages II Newsletter. It's been
said that everyone is just three calls away from the President. You never
know the connections that can come from talking with a neighbor or
colleague. Reach out to others. Discuss your interests and goals. Find out
how you can act as resources to each other.
Learn from those in other disciplines
Reach out beyond your own professional boundaries. If you're a principal
of a school, don't just go to another principal for advice, speak to a
middle manager in a corporation. Middle managers, speak to the principal
of your child's school. Companies and schools are wrestling with similar
problems - motivating staff, finances, performance reviews, etc. Get
invited to corporate workshops. Invite local businesses to send employees
to your staff development programs. Get Involved Look for and take
advantage of leadership opportunities within your own company or
workplace. Approach your job as an internal consultant. Look at the
strengths of your company. What are their problems? How can you help?
Assess the needs of your company and determine what you can add. This way
of thinking will lead to other opportunities and even a promotion.
Read, Join Professional or Civic Groups, Take Courses Read and
keep current with future trends in your business and others. See where the
trends are going and note opportunities to get involved. For example, if
you're interested in worker safety, link up with OSHA, ask to sit in on
safety-related meetings. Find out more about substance abuse prevention
and other areas related to worker safety. Join professional groups and
attend meetings. It's amazing what you will learn just from listening to
others. In addition to universities, look into seminars and courses held
by different professional groups and civic organizations.
Volunteer
One of the best ways to grow on the job is to find ways to teach others.
Show your leadership skills by organizing a school volunteer program in
your business. A critical need that should be filled is to help students
network. High school students who think "I can do it alone" or "no one
over thirty can do me any good" need to learn otherwise. Help students
assess and share their personal resources. With the rapid rate of change
and company down-sizing, it is estimated that people will change careers,
not just jobs, 8 times over the course of their work years. It's not
enough just to know the right people. It's what you know that others need
to know that counts. The best way to get this message out is to be a
resource to as many people as possible.
ALL RIGHTS COPYRIGHTED. Written Permission from Critical Linkages II
Newsletter, Sager Educational Enterprises, needed to reprint or transmit
this material in whole or in part. Phone: (617) 469-9644 E-Mail:
Sageredent@aol.com. If you would like additional information about other
articles, the newsletter, or writing for the newsletter, please contact
us.
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