Gold and the Rules
Have you ever been to a restaurant or hotel with a really attentive wait staff? I’ve always felt a mixture of privilege and discomfort with that kind of a situation. How do I deal with that pull between entitlement and humility? I get to know those that are there to serve. Even a small “thank you” to show that I appreciate the service provides a human touch enough to take the edge off the situation — for the server and me.
How is this a career lesson? It’s “Golden Rule” time. No, not “he who holds the gold, rules.” But the REAL Golden Rule — the “Do unto others like you would have them do unto you.” The next time someone helps you, show your appreciation. It’s surprising how fast you get a reputation for doing that, and how people start reaching out to you — helping you open the door when your hands are full, offering you the first drink at a party, or maybe the first opportunity for that open job!
What Did You Think?
How many times have you sat in a hotel ballroom listening to a speaker of some sort or another talk about the latest trend or wisdom? What was the most valuable part of that experience? My guess is that it didn’t happen when you were sitting, but when you stood up.
It wasn’t that the presentation was bad. The information you gleaned could have been the key to your next major gift. But the lasting impact of your being there was in the interactions with your fellow attendees. It's where you get the answers to the questions that come after the conference — because it's these people, not the presenter, that you’ll call when the meeting is over.
So the next time you're at a conference or seminar, at the coffee break, or when you're between sessions, turn to the person next to you and ask "what did you think?" It could lead to more information about a prospect, the next annual fund technique, or your next job!
Ice and the Princess
Ice fascinates Princess, our cat. A few small cubes in her water bowl keep her occupied for a quite a bit. Is it the cold? Is it the refraction of the light? Maybe she just appreciates the clean water that usually comes with it. It’s hard to say, but for her, it’s one of life’s simple pleasures.
What’s one of your simple pleasures? What takes you out of the moment of work or boredom and fascinates you?
Pulling ourselves out of our routine is key to keeping refreshed, and keeping refreshed is key to a healthy career.
So take a few moments to “put some ice in your bowl.” Get refreshed with a walk around your office or better yet, outside. Get away from the computer screen and cast your eyes on those family pictures on your desk. Keep a small, travel-sized game in your drawer and play a few rounds. Maybe it’s a perfect time to invest in a coloring book? Whatever it is, you’ll come back refreshed, whether that’s for the task at hand, or the next job!
It’s All About the Mission, Right?
A friend who lost her job about a month ago remarked that it was just like going through one's own passing (not that she has experience!). First there was denial, and eventually she moved through a number of stages until now she's feeling like she can make something more of her life — something better than where she came from.
I wonder if the attachment to one's job, and the mission that one's job supports, is more intense for those in the nonprofit sector as compared to those in the for profit or government sectors? One of the attributes preferred by NPO employers, especially in development, is affinity for the organization's mission. The idea is that if you love horses, you're better qualified to run the Equine Society's annual fundraiser than someone who is a cat person. I'm not 100% behind this idea, but I can see the point, and more importantly, it influences the hire.
But what happens at the other end of the run? That devotion to mission is tough to walk away from. I don't know for sure, but I don't think the feeling of loss is the same (compounded by the loss of income and social contacts) for someone who loses a job as a mortgage broker. While I'm sure that some get a great charge out of helping others get into a home, if they're fired, are they crushed by not being able to do all the paperwork one more time?
The career lesson here? Be devoted to the mission, but remember, it’s the organization’s mission. Your first concern needs to be your mission. Because that’s what you keep when your time with the organization comes to an end.
