“We have a strategic plan. It’s called doing things.” – Herb Kelleher, former CEO and founder of Southwest Airlines.
Risks
“The thing about taking risks is, if it’s really a risk, you really can fail.”
“It’s only a pretend risk if you really can’t fail.” – Connie Britton.
… Read the rest
A Reader Asks: Don’t Take the Counter Offer?
Dear Back West:
“What if you interviewed for multiple jobs, accepted one and 3 weeks later got a second offer for a bigger company with more $.
You told your new boss–he did not offer more money and I did not ask (hinted)–but asked about longer term.
The boss was a bit stoic only repeating his intentions when hired. I really like the job I am at, the other is more $ and work from home, but feel compelled to stay. … Read the rest
How Do You Get Back on Track After a Career Detour?
The job that was supposed to work out well, doesn’t.
You parachute out of that job to take another that is not on the road map to a successful career .
Somewhere between Point A and Point C you got detoured to Point Z.
Can you get back on the right road?
Maybe; here’s an example of somebody who got detoured and how they got back on track.… Read the rest
Paging Sue Leeson: “You Can Do Better”
Sometimes the best thing you can do to help someone is a firm tap and playing a bit of a noodge.
The fact of the matter is that people seldom improve without some sort of feedback, and if you don’t help them with it, who do you think will?
I thought of noodge (or nudge) as I sent a note back to a coaching client asking them to rework their “lighthouse letter” – a product that asks exec coaching clients to put down in one page the conversation their grandkids/grandnieces – nephews would have if the now 100-year old client overhead them describing the client’s life.… Read the rest
Job Hunting? Avoid that Job Title (Unless It’s a Really Good One)
The prospective client I met yesterday had a great set of skills, and an accomplished career.
The problem? Their type of job – and many of the ones like it – were going away as the industry contracted.
If you hang your hat on your job title, there’s not much left to hold on to when that type of job goes away, either due to technological change (think data entry specialists) or an industry consolidates and you’re trying to move to another sector where your skills are transferable..… Read the rest