Thursday, May 27, 2010
Don’t Negotiate Your Dreams
You may not know this but I coach, train, and mentor new Gen Y managers and leaders inside organizations. (This is you if you were born 1977-1997.) As a first-time manager, you are in a tough position as you:
(1) Figure out your personal leadership style
(2) Figure out the strengths and challenges among your team members
(3) Figure out how to work with your boss and deliver results
(4) Figure out what it takes to WOW your customer in every interaction
That’s quite a list to figure out.
I bring this up because of comments from recent college grads who are NOT finding the management positions they have been trained for. In this economy, they are finding it difficult to even find an entry-level position. The dreams they had just a few short weeks ago are fading as closed doors keep them in a state of inertia. These folks are not even being given the chance to get a “list” to figure out.
These are very bright people have said to me, “I’ll do whatever it takes to make it.” Yet, after more probing, you find that they will do whatever it takes to make it—EXCEPT WHAT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE IT!
To do “whatever it takes” means there is SACRIFICE involved in your decisions and actions. Sacrifice is that condition where you let go of something of lesser value for something of greater value. It. will. not. be. easy.
Letting go requires you to:
* Be uncomfortable
* Change current habits
* Think differently
* Face your complacency
While it may not be EASY to realize your dream of leading people, there is a SIMPLE solution to help get you closer to that place. Here it is—Design YOUR Personal Success Environment.
Ask yourself: What do I need to eliminate that is sabotaging my success? What steps must I take on a daily basis to realize my dreams?
Until next time...Lead like you mean it!
Marjorie