Quit, Camp or Climb?

Think about this: Adversity is one of the most potent forces in life. It shapes your character, clarifies your priorities, and defines your path. It can also fuel your greatness. Each of us faces a rich assortment of adversities every day, ranging from minor hassles to major setbacks and challenges, even tragedies.

Yeesh, that's a little heavy, right? But, have you heard of The Adversity Advantage, a book by Paul Stoltz and Erik Weihenmayer?

It's a scintillating, addicting tale of a boy, who as a young teenager, was rendered blind. That'd be enough to turn anyone towards bitterness and anger, but Erik Weihenmayer didn't feed those feelings.  Instead, he climbed the seven highest mountain peaks in the world - including Everest, and his message is one of clarity, adventure, hope, and optimism.  Even though it isn't always easy, it sounds like a pretty good idea to me!

Check out Erik's poignant, succinct metaphors that deeply resonate with me and hopefully with you, too.  We proceed into a world with adversity at every turn; let's triumph!

Are you a Quitter, a Camper, or a Climber?

Quitters have a limited capacity for challenge and change and tend to blame others, become overwhelmed, and allow adversity to endure longer than necessary.

Campers have some capacity for challenge and change, but tend to let adversity wear them down, resort to blame when tense or tired, and lose hope and faith when adversity is high.

Climbers have a tremendous capacity for challenge and change.  They tend to be resilient and tenacious, focus on solutions over blame, and be trusting and agile.  

I can only hope that I embody a Climber day-to-day, but let's be honest, life can get sticky, and there will always be challenges and opportunities for improvement.  Slipping into Camper (or even Quitter) Tendencies isn't failure, but I know if I can learn from my mistakes or weakness, I'll climb right back up.

So, I must ask you:  How do you adapt to adversity?  Are you a Quitter, a Camper, or a Climber? 

Are You Literate?

Check this out:  Robinson College of Business offers an incredible mentor program through the Institute of International Business, including a monthly meeting, "CrossTalk," where an entire cohort of mentors and proteges meet to exchange ideas.  It may have changed my life!  Without fail, , the renewed energy towards my student career and professional career unfolds in a new light with every CrossTalk.  The two nuggets of wisdom below are a few of many extracted from the recent idea exchange between global business leaders of today and the proteges who will be leaders tomorrow.

Now, here we go... 

Chances are pretty high that you already know how to read, write & speak, but can you speak the language of Business?

Well, hang on.  First and foremost, let me take a step back and start again. Can you read, write and speak?

To be a respected and followed leader, your basic business skills must include strong reading, writing and communications skills.  Period.  The recent buzz around the weaknesses in professionalism and proficient communication skills means you must make sure your skills are stellar!

You've got a good grasp of these skills?  Then, what next?  Well, of course, you want to be more than just a big fish in a small pond, right?  To take yourself to the next level, become fluent in the Language of Business.  Know the words, the trends, the people, the publications, the books that are relevant to not only general business, but to your industry.

Check out trade publications that are relevant, but that also interest you.  

If your eyes glaze over before you even finish the letter from the editor, chances are you wasted your money on a magazine you'll never read, and that certainly isn't your goal!  You want to know things!  You want people to know you know things!  Find relevant, engaging publications that your peers, clients, boss and industry movers and shakers would read.

Think about this.  The staggering results of being "Literate" will allow you a deeper glimpse into the world in which you live and work.  Empower yourself to hold your own in the boardroom, the classroom and at networking events or cocktail parties.  What if the CEO of your dream company is next to you in the buffet line?  Can you get his attention with your well-informed, intelligent dialogue?  Think of it like the 30 Second Elevator's Speech's close cousin.

Next, become an expert.

If you're looking to dive into international business, specialize in a particular part of the world.  (PS. Every company is a global company, so yes, this includes you even if you're defining your career goals or company strategy domestically.)

Decide on a country or region of the world that means something to you - even if you think it has nothing to do with those career goals or strategic decisions.  Be an expert in Italy simply simply because you're Italian.  Pick somewhere that matters to you!

Say you do select Italy, a founding member of the EU.  The world is flat! Consider the effects of the Italian culture and economy on the EU culture, its social norms, business etiquette, economic policy, and legal regulations.  Recognize the impacts of those elements on the other EU countries, their global trading partners, and the global economy.  See?  Kind of a big deal!

Saddle up and harness your potential to improve your professional prowess.  Build your awareness of the world outside of your own.  Speak the Language of Business with proficiency and ease and you'll advance to a higher level of leadership!

'Cause you gotta have faith...

Sophia Loren, an iconic Italian actress, once said:

"Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent."

To succeed in a career, in an organization, or just to attain a personal goal you may have, "you gotta have faith."

Your inner drive to succeed, coupled with "self-efficacy," i.e. the faith you have in yourself, can propel you ahead of any colleague who seems like a magnet for success. Besides, appearances A) aren't everything, and B) aren't always reality.  Don't put your faith (or your time and energy) there!  Don't worry about what the person next to you in the boardroom or the classroom seems to be doing.

Rely on yourself to succeed in any difficult profession (or even a difficult situation) and don't be afraid to call on that knowledge you have of your skills, experience and talent.  

Have faith that you can achieve great things - because you can and will!

Dr. Seuss Does Differentiation

Quick Tips for Those in the Trenches of "The Job Hunt"

Here are a few quick tips I wanted to share after meeting with one of the top career counselors in the area:

The big one? Start early and devote 10 hours a week for 8-10 weeks to finding a job.  

Of these 10 hours, do not spend more than 20% spinning your wheels on mass career sites, like Monster or Career Builder.  If, at the beginning, you need to devote time and energy to gain momentum and find comfort in increasing your presence online, that's ok, but pump the breaks when you find yourself spinning and applying to hundreds of jobs online.  That will not help you find your dream job, nor will it differentiate you from the masses.  Differentiate, Differentiate, Differentiate.  (A key to success - always.)

Back to that What Makes You Unique discussion... Do not fall back on submitting your resume to a generic email address on their website, or submitting without follow-up.  Even your application approach is an opportunity for you to separate yourself from the pack.  Directly contact these companies through phone calls, personalized emails (personalized!), and office visits.  Get in front of them.  To position yourself in their consideration set, they must actually have an idea of who you are.  If they can put your face to your name, even better! (Obviously, do not become a stalker, but be assertive, pleasant, and tasteful in your interactions.  You are building the brand of who you are, and it will last throughout your career!)

As I finagle this whole job search approach, look out for more tips to help you learn from my mistakes and to help you work smarter, not harder, but that's all for now!

Good luck to everyone getting started in creating a new future, and if you, too, are in job-search mode, please feel free to share your tips on what has worked and what hasn't!