Understand Your Strengths

I can’t sing. I’d like to, but I am hopelessly off key. In the company of more musically gifted friends, it is glaringly obvious to them, and the more musical they are, the more uncomfortable it is for them to listen to me. They hear, or see something that I don’t.

What do I mean by “seeing”? 

We all have the ability to see things that not everyone else does. Patterns, ideas, problems, structure, systems. They are subtle, near invisible things, obvious only to those who ha…

Using Your Professional Past To Inspire Your Career Path

I bet that you have accomplished amazing things in your professional journey so far. You have made an impact on people, processes, products, and performance. And along the way, you’ve gained valuable expertise and experience.

Huzzah! Good for you.

Unless…your recollections are fuzzy, your written data sparse, and your learnings unclear.

With the passing of years, and in today’s busy, complex world, have you forgotten exactly where you’ve been …

Superman spent most of his time working a desk job. Mr. Incredible had to hide in a super protection program. Spidey’s powers kept getting him in trouble.

….being a super hero seems at best to be a side job. Or a hobby. Or at worst, deviant behaviour.

What are your powers and are you using them to perform better and have more fun in your job? Or take your career in a new direction?

We talk about working in your strengths more. Getting paid to do what you are really good at is smart. But like a lot …

There are many necessary elements to a well-managed career. I am continuously struck by the importance of clarity and preciseness when it comes to being on the job market, promoting yourself, and navigating the changes and potential opportunities that arise. Clarity is vital in order to understand your strengths, interests and where you fit best. Clarity in your thinking and planning for what you want to do next and where that fits into your overall career plan. Clarity about what is important t…

Making your resume stand out

You… “I add value.” “I have great interpersonal and communication skills.” “I am organized and hard working.” Hiring person… “Yawn.” That’s what the person sitting across the table from you in the interview is doing. And if someone is reading your resume or LinkedIn profile, their eyes probably skipped right over these all too common ideas. If you are in a networking meeting or informational interview, you might have blown your chance to make that important impression…

My son recently began Suzuki Cello. Here are some words of wisdom from Mr. Suzuki on the development of ability:

“Ability is one thing we have to produce (or work for) ourselves. That means to repeat and repeat an action until it becomes a part of ourselves. It is easy to say, but to have the energy to do it - there lies the problem. There are many people who resolve they will achieve this or that, but not all carry out their intentions. They start, perhaps, but they don’t really go on, and they …

Have you ever been participated in a 360 Degree Evaluation? As a reviewer, or the recipient? If the thought causes fear in you, you might want to read an article I just wrote for Monster.com on how to survive and benefit from a 360 degree evaluation.

I am up in the amazingly beautiful Whistler, BC for a guy’s weekend. Which has afforded me not only the opportunity to learn some poker games I didn’t know and actually pull the Guinness from the tap, but also hang out with a buddy, and some of his buddies.

At the poker table last night, if you even mentioned work it cost you a buck to all the other players. However, I did have the opportunity to observe, and today, talk career shop with a few of the guys. So, for fun, I will juxtapose career …