BUILD A LIFE, NOT A RESUME!

Easier said then done because once you enter the corporate world its like being a hamster on the wheel and your speed is determined by the speed of the wheel and not your own choice! Something we all know, yet we love to blame it to the world around us. Performance pressure, pressure to get promoted every year, to get increments, to achieve your incentives, qualify to get rewards and recognition. All these so called motivators are focused on moving up the so called corporate ladder but what about the dilemma of work life balance? The ability to choose what to do, when to do and how much to do. How are we ever going to balance this?

Many feel that the only way to achieve this is to work very hard for few years of your life and then retire to a life style of choice. While this could be a good strategy, many never survive to get to the point of retirement and the ones who do get so bored because they got used to working hard, that their retirement activities put more pressure on them than what work did! Some work hard and then take a sabbatical to renew themselves and go back later and then find when they go back that they are competing for their jobs with younger contenders.

So what is the easy answer?

Wish I had it because this may be the million dollar question of our times. However, if I look around some happy and successful people I see their focus was not to build a resume though incidentally that did happen as well. Their focus was to find something in life that makes them happy, makes them jump out of bed every morning and makes them dance and celebrate every small success.

I remember Steve Jobs address at Stanford specially the part where he says, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. This could be about building a life because this question is more powerful than will I get my incentive this quarter?

Some of you reading this may feel, its easy to think like this when you are Steve Jobs and while I do agree to that I am sure it is this question that made him Steve Jobs.

Let me share insights from my dear friend and a personal hero Navin Gulia who once told me that he believes disability is never in the body but in the mind, because if you decide you can, you can achieve anything. And he is living proof of this ideology because being on the wheel chair has not stopped him from traveling the world or scaling the peaks driving himself in his own customized car.

He has build his life and his own brand working with the ones who need him the most. Corporations and institutions invite him to talk to their people about motivation and that by the way is a good resume too!

As another year comes to an end let’s invest in some of these thoughts for ourselves. Let’s all build a life and make this world worth living.

You are too aggressive, this will come in the way of your promotion

Does this sound familiar? Anyone been a target of this during their career tenure?

If you have, you are not alone in this.

More women than men are labelled aggressive. If you are a woman who is vocal and has an overt point of view, you are likely to be labelled aggressive and written off immediately. And if you are a man doing the same, you are likely to be called a passionate bloke with a ticket to go places in your career.

So yes, these labels come with a price tag. There are implications of how we come across or how we are perceived. This and other dichotomies are especially harder on women. At every point, their behavior is being watched and analysed to the extent we are waiting for them to fall. If women don’t show these streaks of being outspoken, they are perceived less intelligent, less capable, or without a mind of their own. Speak up, and they are called too aggressive or emotional and hence incapable of progressing.

Call these biases or stereotypes, there is no denying their existence.

Interestingly, this respective labeling has its roots in our society and in our socialization practices. Our early experiences have created working models of how girls, women, boys and men should behave. Beginning in childhood, and globally, we ingrain in young girls the importance of being polite, being nice, congenial, and not loud, etc. We expect them to have a listening ear so they can drive consensus, collaboration, and get things done in a quiet calm manner. The reverse is true for boys. Be competitive, have a loud point of view, and aggression is completely acceptable- a sign of boyhood.

Overtime, stereotypes begin to take roots and manifest across the board in all situations. We expect the genders to behave in distinct manner. And when these behaviors go against our mental models or stereotypes, they create a sense of dissonance in our minds. We are not ready to accept them easily. Researchers call this phenomenon a stereotype threat. We don’t like to see boys crying or girls being rambunctious, do we?

But having said all this, does it make it right?

Should we just adhere to these distinctions that limit us and our careers?

Should we ask women to be not aggressive? Take anything that comes their way?

Tell them to “smoothen their elbows” or “don’t be emotional” because it doesn’t align with the norm? Hold this against their progression?

Personally, the answer is a no. We have to respect people’s emotions, and yes, at work too. Because work and deliverables are totally laced with emotions.

But having said that, emotions have be seen from a contextual lens. Very rarely does an individual show extreme emotions without being provoked. So if someone is being called “aggressive” or “passionate,” my guess would be that someone pushed or led that individual to that limit. Perhaps her colleague is refusing to take her point of view, is undermining her capability, or the woman herself believes that aggression or assertiveness kind of an expression is warranted at that point in time?

Regardless, this issue has to be taken seriously as it can make or break one’s career. Based on my experience and learning here are some practical tips to manage this.

1. Let’s acknowledge that aggression, assertion, or other emotions all are basic to human beings. They cannot be segregated from logic, decisions and outcomes. Man or a woman, you cannot simply leave emotions at your desks when you go to a meeting.

2. As aforementioned, emotions have to be managed or regulated. You cannot be authentic blindly! If you know aggression or any other form of emotion can hurt you, avoid an expression of those. Be strategic.

3. And if you are already stuck with a label which is doing you no good, actively and deliberately diffuse that by talking to people and showcasing behaviors you want people to attach you with. Hold your ground with facts and data to back your claim. Leverage the help of colleagues, mentors and your well-wishers.

4. The next time you are called aggressive, challenge that statement if you truly don’t buy it. Ask why the individual sees you that way and what is needed to manage your career positively.

5. As leaders, avoid gender stereotyping by removing your own biases. Refrain from labeling people in the first place. And if you are truly concerned, talk to the individual and offer constructive feedback and how they can change the situation for themselves.

6. Let us all replace the term aggression or assertion with passion. Color code women with the same expression like we use for men. “You are so passionate about your work, you will go places.”

5 Things To Do TODAY To Get Noticed On LinkedIn

These days, you’re a simple Google search away from blowing recruiters away or making them rethink your candidacy for a job. So, it’s important to stay on top of your online presence! Plus, if you want to get noticed by employers or recruiters, you need to be proactive. Here are five things you can do TODAY to help you get noticed on LinkedIn:

1. Update that old photo.

How old is that photo on your LinkedIn profile? If it’s time for an update, upload a clean, professional photo of yourself. You don’t need to hire someone to take a professional photo of you. Just make sure the lighting is good, your appearance is professional, and you don’t have a distracting background.

2. Share interesting articles in your feed.

Share articles that are relevant to your industry, that your connections might find valuable, or that you just think are interesting reads. By doing this, you’re adding value to your connections and increasing your visibility within your network.

3. Check in with a connection.

Send a message to check in and/or share an article you think they might find valuable. Nurture your network now and they will be more likely to help you out later when you need them.

4. Recommend or endorse someone.

In order to get recommendations or endorsements, you need to give them out. Write a thoughtful recommendation for a connection you know and trust. Give out a few endorsements to people who have showcased their skills to you. The more you give to others, the higher chance they’ll repay the favor.

5. Update your your accomplishments.

Take a few minutes to go over your Work History and make sure your numbers, keywords, and accomplishments are accurate. Do this now, and you won’t have to do a complete overhaul later. It’s good to keep up with it!

If you want to get noticed on LinkedIn by recruiters, employers, or anyone else, it’s critical to keep your profile and presence up to snuff. It’s better to do it little by little rather than completely re-do it when you need it most. Try using these tips today!

Skills you need to bag the job you want

Recruiters look for two kinds of skills in candidates: those strictly related to the job and some general ones they expect all ideal candidates to have.

A general perception exists that one has to be an ace in his domain to get the dream job. While it is true, there are many skills that one must master to bag that job. Recruiters look for two kinds of skills in candidates: those strictly related to the job and some general ones they expect all ideal candidates to have.

Here are the skills that can get you the brownie points –

1. All about communication 

How you communicate – written and verbally – matters a lot to the interviewer. So polish your communication skills and stand out in an interview or while networking.

2. The leader in you

Companies today also look for a person’s proficiency at taking up leadership roles. One needs to work on building leadership qualities by taking initiatives and responsibilities.

3. Interpersonal skills 

Today, you cannot be a loner and expect to land the job you want. You need to be sociable and carry good interpersonal skills. According to an expert, impromptu thinking and problem solving skills are qualities employers want in candidates.

4. Innovative and independent 

An ideal candidate is independent and does not need to be pushed for a task. Also, innovative ideas give competitive advantage.

5. Innovative and independent 

The skills you have today may not be needed tomorrow. So, as a candidate, how open are you to reskilling? Interviewers often tend to check an applicant’s learning curve.

6. Persuasiveness 

You may know a lot about the job role on offer. But can you convince others to accept you think your points of view?

This skill will help you crack the interview.

How to End 2016 the Right Way

Suraj wanted to have an extremely productive upcoming year. He reached out for executive coaching so he could take the necessary steps to help him improve his work performance. With advanced planning, he knew he would be prepared to start 2017 with a significant advantage.

This is the plan that I completed with Suraj:-

STEP 1 – CLOSE OUT THE OLD YEAR.
Close out the year in an effective way so you are ready to charge forward in the New Year.

1. Wrap up loose ends. Close out those small nagging projects you’ve been meaning to do. Make the phone calls, answer those emails, and turn in expense reports. Essentially you want to clear outdated projects so you can start fresh.

2. Organize your work area.
Clean up your desk, put away old papers, toss dated files and generally straighten your physical area. Then you’ll come back to a clean organized office for less stress.

3. List your accomplishments for the year.
Take the time to review your accomplishments. Quantify all that you can. How did it benefit the company? What value have you brought? Keep this in a file for your next review.

4. Keep in contact.
Before you leave for vacation turn on voice mail and email autoresponders with a message you are away. Make sure the office has a contact for you in the case of urgent matters. You don’t want to return from vacation to unpleasant surprises.

5. Check employee benefits.
Businesses often have changed to their employee benefits that happen with the changing year. Take a look. Do they affect you? Or have your circumstances changed and you need to update beneficiaries, withholding amounts, or providers?

STEP 2 – TAKE A YEAR-END BREAK.

Be sure to take a well-deserved year-end break. This is a time for relaxation and renewal. You will return to work more vitalized and energized than if you just keep on working without a break.

6. Unplug.
Disconnecting from typical social media and technology gives your brain a chance to recharge. It calls on new neuron paths and creates new ways of thinking. When you return to work, your performance will improve.

7. Connect with family and friends.
Personal interaction is another way to recharge your life. Pick up hobbies and activities. Have fun. Enjoy.

8. Strengthen your network. The holidays are a great time to send greetings to those you want to keep in your network.

9. Gratitude.
Life feels fuller and more enjoyable when we have gratitude. Take time to thank others and express appreciation. Be grateful for what you have.

10. Reflect on your personal and professional life.
What changes do you want to make to have a more fulfilling life?

STEP 3 – PREPARE FOR A FRESH START.

As you start 2017 you will be prepared for a fresh start. Think of it as a new beginning. The old is behind you and the New Year is a blank page for you to write on. Jump in with enthusiasm.

11. Goal Set. Take stock of where you are and where you want to go. Are there projects or tasks you want to be a part of? Do you want to join a class or professional association? What steps do you need to take to get there? Write down the process and calendar it.

12. Update LinkedIn profile. Review it for needed changes. Use your goals to focus the content and attract the connections that will help you achieve them.

13. Organize your priorities. What is most important? Why? How will you keep that in focus? Learn how to use your time in the most productive way possible.

14. Choose your attitude. Make the New Year one of optimism, gratitude, focus, energy. Use this to create a brand and an expectation that you will produce great work.

15. Focus on the positive. Look at each negative with “What can I learn from this that will make me sharper, stronger, more resilient?” Don’t drag others down, lift them.

16. Capture your 2017 accomplishments.
Going forward, track your successes. Make an email folder to hold records of your accomplishments. Quantify them and remember how they added value to the company.

When you apply these 16 principles, you’ll find that you naturally improve your work performance. You’re focused, organized, refreshed and connected. You know where you’ve been and where you want to go. Get set for a rewarding 2017!

Talkback:

What have you done to launch the next year ready to increase your performance? How effective do you think these tips will be for you?

Top 3 Things to Keep in Mind when Writing your Resume!

Which was image with extremely beneficial tips and words of advice, for people who want to restart their careers and don’t know how to polish up their resume, after their break.

These were the top 3 tips that we wanted to highlight, today:

1. Don’t Save the Best for Last:

Always share your key achievements/ credits right at the BEGINNING

2. Action Verbs:

Avoid using the same action-verbs in multiple sentences, and make sure that they aren’t repeated more than TWICE. Words like “manage”, “handled”, “responsible”, etc. should not be overused. Think of alternative words and use online resources that can help you with alternative action words.

3. Cover Letter:

Don’t let the reader wonder WHY you took a break; showcase your commitment to return to work. Always emphasize that it was “YOUR” decision to take a break and then come back. It shows that you are a committed and efficient worker!

Getting Back to Work after a Break: Confidence is Everything

It’s a fact. A lot of mothers find it hard to get back to work after a break. In her book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg says, “43% of highly qualified women with children are leaving careers or off-ramping for a period of time.” If we could put it all down to a strong maternal instinct, that would be OK. But it’s not just that. The socio-cultural landscape we live in doesn’t seem encouraging enough of the aspirations of new mothers to have their children and a high-growth career.

Sandberg’s stats sound familiar to those of us closer home. Even in India, a large percentage of qualified women quit work after their first child in order to spend more time at home. The sad part of the story is we are talking about highly qualified women who work in large Indian and multi-national companies.

But to reverse all that would be to boil the ocean. So we must start with small but concrete steps. We can start by understanding that a lot of women quit during or after pregnancy not only because they feel the urge to be full-time mothers for a while, but also because of disabling factors in the socio-cultural landscape:

♦ Lack of mother- and child-friendly company policies

♦ Lack of safe childcare facilities

♦ Lack of parental support for childcare in many cases

♦ Regressive mind set of family and society that makes the journey back to work difficult

♦ Failure to reduce or better manage a new mother’s stress at work

♦ Failure to actively provide a healthy work-life balance for new mothers

As a coach, I am interested in the psychological aspect of this story, and in helping new mothers navigate this path with the right story in their heads. Because often, if you’re a new mother and taking a break to raise your child, you tend to have the wrong story in your head.

►Stay Determined: 
During the break, most mothers become complacent and start enjoying the break. The stress-free life can become addictive. If you want to get back to work, stay relevant by updating your knowledge and skills.

►Stay Motivated: 
One must be motivated to get back to work after a break. Choose a job that means something to you. Don’t end up building your life around your child.

►Stay Connected:
Though you are on break, stay in touch with old colleagues, bosses and other friends who are still working. This will help you be ‘in the circuit’ for work opportunities that may be good for you.

►Stay Flexible: 
When you get back to work don’t be hung up about what you can and cannot do. Be open to new ideas. You never know where your next wave of growth is going to come from.

►Know Where to Draw the Line: 
Just because you took a break doesn’t mean you are vulnerable to exploitation or discrimination. Know your rights and demand them.

►Ask for Support: 
The first few months after rejoining the workforce may be overwhelming. Have a friend or a coach to keep you anchored.

Flexible working is about
being effective regardless
of your location . . . it’s
about unlocking your full
potential.