Something occurred to me yesterday as I was driving home from work… the dynamics I see at play on the highway really remind me of the workplace.

Personalities at work, and how you navigate them, can play a huge role in your career success.  It made me ponder the correlation…

Speed Demons

You know the drivers I’m talking about.  These are the caution-less, speed loving “owners” of the road who like to zoom by at completely unreasonable speeds.  They are often in a hurry to get nowhere.  I love pulling up to a stop light next to someone who just got done passing me only to see them waiting impatiently for the light to turn green.

In the workplace, these speed demons handle their careers much in the same way as they drive.  It’s all about the speed!

Unless you’re Superman/Superwoman there is no way to balance super velocity with detail orientation.  Somewhere along the way, you will miss details and end up making others look bad.  Further, this approach does not have a happy ending.  It can be presumed that someone who always pushes the envelope will eventually make a fatal error.  They’ll crash and burn.

Reckless Drivers

As compared to Speed Demons, the Reckless Drivers are not always the fastest on the road… but, they make decisions that are equally harmful.  These people change lanes without looking, cut you off in line and are probably on their cell phones (or putting on make-up) at less than optimal times.

At work, a Reckless Driver can cause a lot of headaches by cutting corners, bending the rules (beyond a reasonable point) and constantly putting their needs before the needs of the group or company.  Worst of all, they don’t understand why it’s a problem.

Slow Drivers

While not as frustrating as the previous two, this type can be equally hurtful to success in the workplace.  You’ve all been caught behind a Slow Driver at one point or another in your career.  This master contemplator has a hard time making decisions and moving forward.  Without the help of outer affirmation, often times they prefer not to make decisions at all.

Another trait of this career personality is their rate of completion.  What could be done in a day will take this person weeks.  Perhaps for their speed, but also due to how much they over analyze every small decision.

Tailgaters

My least favorite category of driver, this career personality can usually be found on the coattails of someone within your organization.

Just as on the roads, this bumper lover will sooner or later be privy to the unfortunate destiny of slamming into the person in front of them.  Of course, it won’t be their fault when it happens… or is it?

Tailgating is not a safe approach in developing your career.  While it’s perfectly acceptable to have mentors, teachers and a team that helps in your career progression, it’s also pertinent that enough distance is left for individual accomplishment.

What happens when the person your following runs into a major obstacle or slams on their breaks?  You’re stuck, without options or the time necessary to navigate around the situation.

It doesn’t make sense on the road and it’s a terrible strategy at work.

Defensive Driving

There is a reason why Defensive Driving is considered the safest form of travel on the road.  Destination in sight, this person is aware of potential obstacles and plans in advance for them.

In the workplace, you must set goals, understand your route (as much as possible) and always be on the lookout for influences that could derail your efforts.  It’s okay to go five over the speed limit, but you have to be aware of your risks and plan in advance for moments when you may need to push the envelope.

By no means is risk taking a bad attribute.  Sometimes you simply have to take calculated risks in advancing your career.  However, that does not remove the need to have a “Plan B.”

What other driving styles do you see in the workplace?  How do you recommend others navigate the career speedway in their presence?

Zoom, zoom!

Photo Credit, libbyrosof

The right place at the right time…

Can you imagine how your life would change if you could solve that riddle?  Where is this “place” and what “time” has everyone been referring to?

After a day of way too much brainstorming and a few too many philosophical wanderings, my conclusion is that the time is always and the place is everywhere.

Consider this:

1. Opportunity never stops, it just evolves. Our job is to see it and pursue it.
2. No matter where you live, what you do or who you want to be… your chances are greater when you focus on and pursue your desires.  The alternative is to sit idle… become stagnant.
3. Opportunities present themselves in many forms. When we are open to those many forms, it is easier to recognize them when they come our way.  Leave the preconceived notions of a “perfect opportunity” behind.
4. Disappointment is your friend… it forces you to move on. These moments of truth can become your best chances to recognize and embrace a new opportunity… so stay open!  The more time you dedicate to focusing on the bad – the less time you focus on point #2.

Strengths and Clarity

I’ve been exploring some concepts lately around career development and potential as they correspond to a person embracing their strengths.  For reasons that I will eventually discuss, the topic is at the center of a pretty exciting project that I’ve been engaged with.

As someone who has dedicated their professional career to talent acquisition, the concept of strength alignment definitely perks my interest.  It makes me consider a few things:

• How many people who are outwardly miserable dedicate to professions that fall outside of their passions/strengths?
• How could a person’s life improve if they were given a path to capitalize on their main strengths?
• How many high achievers have you met who did not fully embrace their inner talents?

Whether you are hiring someone or advancing your own career… exploring how long-term success and personal strengths operate together seems like an important topic to consider – really important!

It might seem all fluffy and idealistic to think that we can all achieve more and accomplish our dreams… but is it?  Perhaps our reluctance has everything to do with our inner fear of rejection – the risk of striving for something and falling short… the potential embarrassment we will face by failing to accomplish our dreams.  Perhaps it has to do with the perceived complexity of identifying what we are good at and figuring out how we can funnel those talents in a constructive direction.

Just remember, dreams are like Play-Doh – they can morph and change as much as you want them to.  Natural talents, on the other hand, are a part of who we are… starting with these key elements, we are able to build a huge array of potential dreams and desires.

Build a dream, pursue that dream, fail, build another dream, add water, repeat.  The likelihood of you living in a van down by the river is pretty low… so, take some risks.

Talent Meets Opportunity

I had a point… so, let me get back to it.

Timing is one part, but talent/strength alignment is the other.  The likelihood of a person recognizing an opportunity goes way up when they are dedicating to something that they are skilled at or passionate about.  I’ve seen this in my own life and I see it in the careers of the many people I encounter.

I don’t know what the true answers or conclusions are to all of these mental wanderings… I suppose that it’s just some food for thought.  Perhaps it will spur something that leads you to something greater – perhaps it won’t.

I’d love to know what you think about the topic.

How do you see talent manifest itself… cause major change… impact a person’s life?  Do you think that people tend to do what they are good at or what they find a job in?  How can we change all this and open doors?

Photo Credit, Michel Filion