Hello and welcome
to "Working the Dream"
00:00:31.36\00:00:35.40
I'm your host Eric Kelly,
and today we're going to share
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insights into how exposure,
that is showcasing your
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personal brand affects your
career and personal success.
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Now exposure is who knows you
and who knows you positively.
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So, let's recap why
this is important...
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Our acronym for
career success is "P-I-E-S"
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P - is for performance:
You must be a top notch
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performer to be considered
of value to your team.
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I - is for image: Your
personal brand, your image,
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should reflect the
accepted image of your company.
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E - is for exposure:
How many people know you
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and know you positively.
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S - is for spirituality.
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Okay, so you're on time
every day; you keep your head
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down and you do your work
and when your boss asks you
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to do something, you
do it, no questions asked.
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You're a team player,
you help your coworkers when
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they ask for it - sometimes
they do and they don't.
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When you see there's
something to be done...
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you jump right in
and you do it... because
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that's just the kind
of person that you are!
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Now surely with all of
these good work habits,
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you're going to be
recognized for your dedication.
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There's no way that
they can overlook you for
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expanded responsibilities right?
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When their
expanding the division,
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you'll be noticed, right?
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I mean, you've already
proven you are a hard worker.
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I mean - hard work
is the key to climbing
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the organization ladder, right?
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Well, (sigh) not entirely.
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You see, hard work is
expected, but most companies
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are getting that pretty much
out of their workers anyway.
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In today's work-world,
working hard and doing
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what you're
asked... is expected.
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In fact, it's the
only way to keep your job.
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So working hard and being a
team player and trying to make
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the workplace productive,
it's kinda normal behavior
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for a good employee.
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It's what's expected out of
you by your management team.
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Now you might say,
"I exhibit professional
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behavior, I say the
right things and I do the right
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things," and that's
still the standard expectation
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of all employees.
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Promotion and recognition
usually lands on the people
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who have found a way to
capitalize on their exposure
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to influential people
and the right opportunities.
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I've heard some people
say, often with distain
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in their voice, "Well, it's not
what you do, it's who you know."
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Let me add an
emphatic, "You're ABSOLUTELY
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correct to that one."
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The better way to phrase that
might be, "You need to network
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as effectively as you
work for people to be aware
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of your contribution
to the organization."
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The "hard work is all you
need" axiom and was coined
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years ago when we pretty
much were in an agricultural
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industrial society.
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In today's complex world of
tangled business relationships,
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that is not the only
ingredient for success.
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Let me give you an example...
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Let's say you are a blacksmith,
you do your best work
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providing shoes for
horses... well, the more horses
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that you make shoes for,
the more revenue you make
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and the more successful
you are as a blacksmith.
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Let's say you are a farmer,
the more acreage you sowed
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with seeds for crops,
the bigger your harvest.
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The more crops you harvested,
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the more crops you
could take to market.
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The more crops you took
to market, the more money
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that you would
make... this would make you
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more successful.
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The impact of relationships,
while important back then,
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was still less important
than the actual physical labor
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you put into your work.
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In today's work-world,
most of us are not taking
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crops to market
or shodding horses,
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so it takes a little more than
just hard work to be successful.
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Your relationship with
your boss, peers and reports
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will be critical to your
success in the workplace.
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So just telling someone to keep
their head down and work hard
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is not the complete
formula for career success.
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Let me ask you a question...
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It's perfectly
acceptable for you to talk back
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to the screen on this one...
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You ready? Okay, here it goes...
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Who knows you and knows you
positively in your organization?
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Now, how you are known
determines what assignments
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you're going to get -
what special projects you'll be
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invited to participate in.
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The projects and assignments
you work on determine
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who actually sees your
work and the people that
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see your work determine
your value to the company
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and your value to the
company determines the success
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that you're going to
enjoy in your organization.
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If you are a known
force on your team,
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then lookout
world... here you come!
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Let's watch as our friend,
Cassie, learns some lessons.
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Don't hold me back,
y'all, look, I didn't spend
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$80,000 on a degree
to just sit at a desk
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and stamp checks all day.
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I'd say they are definitely
under-utilizing my talents.
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And then there's this company
party that I guess we're all
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supposed to go to...
I am not trying to see
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these people after 5 o'clock.
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I see enough of
them throughout the day.
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Let's just say, "They're
not exactly my type of people."
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Anyway, that's the
Cassie rant for the day.
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Don't forget to like the
video and spread the word.
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Hey Cassie! Oh, hey
Ron didn't see ya there.
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Oh yeah, you were
quite engrossed in your rant.
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I really enjoy your
channel, by the way.
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Thanks! It's a
good creative outlet.
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I bet... My
outlet is video games,
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but you have to
be careful though.
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Careful? Why would you say that?
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Because you never
know who's watching online.
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There is nobody from here
watching me online, trust me.
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I am not that important.
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Yeah, tell that to all
those employees that lost
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their job as a result
of their rants online.
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You have to be really careful
when you're posting these rants.
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You want to make sure
that you're not saying anything
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that will negatively
affect the company or yourself.
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You have to establish and
protect your professional brand.
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See, that's it, I
have a brand and I'm not
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going to become fake just
to climb my way up ladder here.
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Again, you're missing the point!
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You want to make sure that
you're seen in a positive light
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by the right people...
so that you can advance
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into the opportunity
that you feel you deserve.
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Are you going to the party?
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No, I'm not going to the party.
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Have you ever been
to the company party?
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No, and I don't plan on it.
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What if I told you
that by going to that party
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you might have the opportunity
to advance into the position
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that you feel you deserve.
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Really, let's hear it!
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Okay, so this is the plan...
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You go home, you get dressed,
you want to put something on
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that's modest, yet
stunning, but the goal is not
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to be super-sexy
or anything like that.
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You just don't want to be
talked about on Monday for being
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the worst dressed.
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Okay? Then when you see
Mr. Martin and me over there,
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you know, wherever
we'll be in the party,
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it doesn't matter what location,
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walk over there in the general
vicinity and I will call you
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over and introduce you to him.
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He's the CEO of the company.
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And, I'm just
supposed to walk right up
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and start talking with you guys.
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I'm going to introduce
you, that's why we're going to
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play it this way...
the same exact thing
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happened earlier on in
my career and that's how I
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got to the
position that I'm in now.
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So you're real
cool with Mr. Martin?
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Well, he's has had me work
on several projects in the past,
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so we've definitely
established a good rapport.
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All right, if you
say so, I'll be there.
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You going to be
there? Oh, I'll be there.
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Okay.
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So I got an update, Crew,
you remember that party that
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my friend, Ron, talked me
into going to for the company?
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I am so glad that he did.
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It's been about two weeks
since that party and people
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still remember my name
and they comment all the time
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about the good work
that I do around here.
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AND, I got
approached by management
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for a special project.
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Let's just say
that I am on my way UP!
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Watch out y'all,
remember to watch the video
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and spread the word!
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I take it you're
satisfied with the results?
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Oh my goodness,
yes! Thank you Ron.
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Aw, no problem,
remember branding is
00:09:08.91\00:09:11.25
everything!
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Okay, what do we learn
about how Cassie is viewed?
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Now she's definitely
getting some exposure,
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but is it positive or negative?
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Now here are some
tips that you can use
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to get positive
exposure in your organization.
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Volunteer for special projects.
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Unless you're in a very small
company, there's a wealth of
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action taking place outside of
your desk, cubical, department
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and floor and chances
are, the people that are making
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decisions aren't sitting
directly across from you.
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Look for special projects
that you can be a part of...
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it's a great way to get your
name, your skills, your ideas,
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your quality performance
out in front of people
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who can help you make vertical
and horizontal career moves.
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Most people at work
will be focusing on their own
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work universe, so some may
or may not know who you are
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or where you are a
benefit to the organization.
00:10:03.87\00:10:07.50
Now when you work on
special projects with others,
00:10:07.54\00:10:09.87
you usually can find a way
to establish them in your own
00:10:09.90\00:10:13.58
personal network.
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Connect with people outside
of your normal work network.
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There are many
benefits to networking,
00:10:20.75\00:10:23.02
but you have to remember that
we are dealing with people...
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Keep that in mind!
00:10:26.42\00:10:28.19
Going out with a
"What can I get" attitude
00:10:28.22\00:10:30.43
is going to sink your
efforts before you begin,
00:10:30.46\00:10:33.60
but of course, you need
to know what return you're
00:10:33.63\00:10:36.63
going to get before you invest.
00:10:36.67\00:10:38.30
So here's what you can expect...
00:10:38.33\00:10:40.34
Friendship benefits -
do not overlook the simple
00:10:40.37\00:10:44.14
benefit of having
friends in the business
00:10:44.17\00:10:46.74
with no strings attached.
00:10:46.78\00:10:48.54
It's a good feeling to
know someone has our back...
00:10:48.58\00:10:51.31
that we have people
who are there for us.
00:10:51.35\00:10:53.72
It can be lonely when you
work alone - with only the
00:10:53.75\00:10:56.28
light from your own computer
screen to keep you company.
00:10:56.32\00:10:58.85
Having someone who understands
is extremely valuable
00:10:58.89\00:11:02.46
on a psychological
and emotional level.
00:11:02.49\00:11:04.99
Your friends can chat to
keep you motivated and cheery.
00:11:05.03\00:11:08.00
You're a
sounding board for ideas,
00:11:08.03\00:11:09.90
they'll listen to you
moan when you need it.
00:11:09.93\00:11:12.23
When several of my professional
friends and I get together...
00:11:12.27\00:11:15.40
when we're talking,
time goes by so fast.
00:11:15.44\00:11:18.94
I'm not always sure if we
actually solved the world's
00:11:18.97\00:11:21.51
problems, but those
conversations are something
00:11:21.54\00:11:24.18
I really look forward to.
00:11:24.21\00:11:25.68
Your personal network
can help when you're in a
00:11:25.71\00:11:28.15
strange town.
00:11:28.18\00:11:29.52
Sometimes it's
nice to have company
00:11:29.55\00:11:31.05
for dinner when
you're on the road.
00:11:31.12\00:11:32.85
I mean, I'm blessed to
have friends that I can call
00:11:32.89\00:11:34.72
in quite a few cities.
00:11:34.76\00:11:36.12
I also have friends that
I can share situations with
00:11:36.16\00:11:39.33
who will kind of
straight up let me know
00:11:39.36\00:11:41.90
whether or not I'm on
or off base with an idea
00:11:41.93\00:11:44.60
or a situation.
00:11:44.63\00:11:46.10
My point is... No
matter how smart or
00:11:46.13\00:11:48.40
talented you are,
people need people.
00:11:48.44\00:11:51.74
Now opportunities... The
most significant monetary
00:11:51.77\00:11:56.71
benefit my network has
brought me is the opportunity
00:11:56.75\00:11:59.71
I have been exposed to.
00:11:59.75\00:12:01.42
If you're not
getting enough opportunities,
00:12:01.45\00:12:03.45
then you need to
build your network.
00:12:03.49\00:12:04.95
Opportunities like
joint ventures, client leads,
00:12:04.99\00:12:08.52
partnerships, speaking
and writing gigs, businesses
00:12:08.56\00:12:12.39
where the assets are
bought and sold - you name it!
00:12:12.43\00:12:14.56
Now if you thought the
"Want Ads" hold the best jobs,
00:12:14.60\00:12:18.03
let me share an inside secret...
00:12:18.07\00:12:20.17
All the best opportunities
are shared person-to-person
00:12:20.20\00:12:24.57
in back channels...
everything from prime
00:12:24.61\00:12:28.04
domain sales to
employment opportunities
00:12:28.08\00:12:31.08
to projects that are coming out.
00:12:31.11\00:12:33.58
If two people are
equally qualified,
00:12:33.62\00:12:36.45
the nod is going to
go to who you know, like
00:12:36.48\00:12:40.36
and trust the most
and sometimes this happens
00:12:40.39\00:12:43.53
even when the
person is less qualified.
00:12:43.56\00:12:47.06
This one networking
benefit alone has to be worth
00:12:47.10\00:12:50.33
an astronomical amount.
00:12:50.37\00:12:52.53
Now there are two
problems that stop people
00:12:52.57\00:12:55.20
from thinking of this benefit...
00:12:55.24\00:12:57.77
First, people do not
give credit to their network
00:12:57.81\00:13:01.24
when opportunities arise.
00:13:01.28\00:13:02.84
They either think, "Of course,
00:13:02.88\00:13:04.31
I got this
opportunity, I'm awesome."
00:13:04.35\00:13:06.25
To paraphrase a very, very
wise man, "Pride goes before
00:13:06.31\00:13:11.12
a big, smacking face
plant in wet cement,"
00:13:11.15\00:13:13.96
that's a paraphrase.
00:13:13.99\00:13:16.46
Bad networking leads to a
lack of opportunity and can
00:13:16.49\00:13:19.26
actually damage your
ability to attract the best
00:13:19.29\00:13:22.70
opportunities.
00:13:22.73\00:13:24.07
It is better for
nobody to know who you are
00:13:24.10\00:13:26.70
rather than to
be known as a jerk.
00:13:26.74\00:13:31.17
The third benefit is advice...
00:13:31.21\00:13:32.87
We all like to give
friends advice and sometimes
00:13:32.91\00:13:35.84
they even ask for it.
00:13:35.88\00:13:37.38
We rely on our networks to
advise us and keep us on track,
00:13:37.41\00:13:41.28
and we give back to
our networks in return.
00:13:41.32\00:13:44.52
Give a lot and you have
a lot of credit in the bank
00:13:44.55\00:13:47.06
when you need to
make a withdrawal.
00:13:47.09\00:13:48.86
The better your
network, the more knowledge
00:13:48.89\00:13:50.96
you can tap in to.
00:13:50.99\00:13:52.33
There are formal and
informal advice channels like
00:13:52.36\00:13:55.10
consulting swaps
or mastermind groups.
00:13:55.13\00:13:58.13
I'm doing a consulting
swap with a development expert.
00:13:58.17\00:14:01.10
She's sharing her expertise
in enterprise development
00:14:01.14\00:14:04.14
and I'm helping her
with presentation coaching.
00:14:04.17\00:14:06.74
Masterminds are where a group
of people with common goals
00:14:06.78\00:14:09.94
and values get
together to push each other
00:14:09.98\00:14:12.81
and advise each other.
00:14:13.08\00:14:15.25
A fourth benefit is assistance.
00:14:15.28\00:14:17.12
I've heard that the definition
of a friend is someone
00:14:17.15\00:14:19.92
who will help you move
your house with no notice
00:14:19.95\00:14:22.39
and no expectation of payment.
00:14:22.42\00:14:25.49
I'm not quite sure
about that but I think
00:14:25.53\00:14:27.40
mutual help is definitely
part of the definition.
00:14:27.43\00:14:30.63
And one of the ways
that you can get benefit from
00:14:30.67\00:14:33.54
networking is
promotion... Giving you a boost
00:14:33.57\00:14:36.24
in your traffic, your
sales, your reputation,
00:14:36.27\00:14:39.17
your opportunities.
00:14:39.21\00:14:40.54
Another benefit of
networking is building a strong
00:14:40.58\00:14:45.48
community - conversational
community where a topic
00:14:45.51\00:14:48.95
can come up and everyone
is involved in your getting
00:14:48.98\00:14:51.55
input from different places.
00:14:51.59\00:14:53.69
Introductions is a benefit
because with a good community,
00:14:53.72\00:14:57.56
you can be connected to
people who you'd like to meet
00:14:57.59\00:15:00.40
or you just
think they're awesome.
00:15:00.43\00:15:02.70
These folks often can
help you get out of a hole
00:15:02.73\00:15:05.00
when you goof up or
have your back when somebody
00:15:05.03\00:15:08.07
is attacking.
00:15:08.10\00:15:09.44
Another benefit is
positive influence.
00:15:09.47\00:15:12.27
You become who
you associate with.
00:15:12.31\00:15:15.14
This works in the negative
as any parent will tell you
00:15:15.18\00:15:17.81
as they look at
the friends that their
00:15:17.85\00:15:19.95
kids are hanging out with.
00:15:19.98\00:15:21.45
But it also works
in the positive...
00:15:21.48\00:15:23.18
If you surround
yourself with the right people,
00:15:23.22\00:15:25.79
then the attitudes
and habits and world view,
00:15:25.82\00:15:28.72
and the associations of
these folks will rub off too.
00:15:28.76\00:15:31.29
The tribe you select
will have a profound impact
00:15:31.33\00:15:34.50
on your work and
your life, so choose well.
00:15:34.53\00:15:39.97
In summary, there's a danger
that some people will approach
00:15:40.00\00:15:43.24
networking with a
gimme, gimme frame of mind.
00:15:43.44\00:15:46.27
Now that's not what
I'm talking about...
00:15:46.31\00:15:47.98
My hope is that you will
see that while the impact
00:15:48.01\00:15:50.65
might not be immediate,
the compound effects of
00:15:50.68\00:15:54.05
networking are
significant and long-lasting.
00:15:54.08\00:15:57.65
I want you to understand
that every single new friend
00:15:57.69\00:16:00.96
or contact you make is
worth their weight in gold.
00:16:00.99\00:16:06.39
It's also important that
you attend those optional
00:16:06.43\00:16:09.66
meetings and events.
00:16:09.70\00:16:11.17
Meetings - especially
boring meetings, can be the bane
00:16:11.20\00:16:15.20
of existence for
any busy professional,
00:16:15.24\00:16:17.94
but they can also be a good
place to show your face with
00:16:17.97\00:16:22.04
higher up required attendees.
00:16:22.08\00:16:24.45
So, show up, listen, contribute,
introduce yourself...
00:16:24.48\00:16:29.62
not only are you
increasing your visibility,
00:16:29.65\00:16:32.25
but you're showing that
you're interested in getting
00:16:32.29\00:16:35.02
first-hand
experience on how things work
00:16:35.06\00:16:37.99
outside of your office or cube.
00:16:38.03\00:16:40.43
Showing up to social
events can be a challenge,
00:16:40.46\00:16:43.40
but it can also be beneficial.
00:16:43.43\00:16:45.33
I remember one
evening, I asked a coworker
00:16:45.37\00:16:48.47
of mine - was she stopping
by the evening mixer that
00:16:48.50\00:16:51.67
the executives were
putting on at a nearby
00:16:51.71\00:16:54.24
restaurant downtown.
00:16:54.28\00:16:55.61
She said, with an
attitude and attitude face,
00:16:55.64\00:16:59.05
"I see these people all
the day, I do not want to
00:16:59.08\00:17:02.72
see them after work."
00:17:02.75\00:17:04.12
Now, here's what she
didn't think about...
00:17:04.15\00:17:07.49
You will have access
to people you ordinarily
00:17:07.52\00:17:10.86
wouldn't be able to see
during an average workday.
00:17:10.89\00:17:13.53
I mean, when can I walk up to
the executive vice president's
00:17:13.56\00:17:17.50
office and have a conversation?
00:17:17.53\00:17:19.03
However, it's not a bad
thing that he knows who I am.
00:17:19.07\00:17:23.20
You must understand that event
exposure should be well-managed.
00:17:23.24\00:17:29.48
Now, they serve
alcohol at these things,
00:17:29.51\00:17:32.38
but that's not a safe bet.
00:17:32.41\00:17:34.72
Let me share a story...
00:17:34.75\00:17:36.08
Many years ago, I worked
with a gentleman named "Chad,"
00:17:36.12\00:17:40.06
and Chad was a brilliant
young man - he was smart,
00:17:40.09\00:17:43.63
he was on his way
up on the organization,
00:17:43.66\00:17:46.46
he was the kind of guy
we were all jealous of.
00:17:46.49\00:17:50.07
So the regional manager
was having this big soiree,
00:17:50.10\00:17:54.27
this big spread
out at their house,
00:17:54.30\00:17:56.47
and the house was gorgeous.
00:17:56.74\00:17:58.54
So we drove out,
it was the suburbs,
00:17:58.57\00:18:01.31
beautiful gated community
and we oo'd and ah'd up to this
00:18:01.34\00:18:05.85
gorgeous house and then
when we got inside, of course
00:18:06.08\00:18:09.18
the servers had drinks and they
were making people feel welcome.
00:18:09.22\00:18:12.85
Well, I had a Seven-Up.
00:18:13.66\00:18:16.26
Anyway, my buddy Chad,
who was the heir apparent
00:18:16.29\00:18:19.66
to be successful
in this organization,
00:18:19.69\00:18:22.30
he began to knock-em back,
and he was getting a little
00:18:22.33\00:18:27.80
snookered.
00:18:27.84\00:18:29.30
Well in one of the
side rooms, there was this
00:18:29.34\00:18:31.97
exquisite, gorgeous Persian
rug that the regional manager
00:18:32.27\00:18:37.65
was so proud of...
00:18:37.68\00:18:39.11
I kind of looked at the rug
on the floor, I mean I'm not
00:18:39.15\00:18:42.48
stepping on a rug when I
find out how many thousands
00:18:42.52\00:18:45.55
of dollars it
cost to buy the thing.
00:18:45.59\00:18:49.36
So we looked at it - it was like
the Mona Lisa on the ground.
00:18:49.39\00:18:52.86
Well my buddy Chad,
after he had so many drinks,
00:18:52.89\00:18:55.50
he kinda forgot where he
was and he walked on the rug.
00:18:55.53\00:18:59.87
I'm blown away, but that wasn't
the best part of the story...
00:18:59.90\00:19:04.97
See, Chad had so many drinks
that he started feeling woozy,
00:19:05.01\00:19:08.94
and a bit nauseous..
ha, ha, you figured it out?
00:19:08.98\00:19:12.38
Yeah, he threw up on
the regional manager's
00:19:12.41\00:19:16.69
exquisite Persian rug.
00:19:16.72\00:19:19.45
Now, sadly, we laughed back
then trekked all the way home.
00:19:19.49\00:19:24.29
We laughed at
work the next week,
00:19:24.33\00:19:27.10
but here's the real
sadness in that story...
00:19:27.13\00:19:30.50
Chad never, ever,
ever got promoted again.
00:19:30.53\00:19:36.07
You see, the senior
team looked at that behavior
00:19:36.10\00:19:39.41
and said, "How can we
trust him with a division
00:19:39.44\00:19:42.21
full of people?"
00:19:42.24\00:19:43.58
"How can we trust him with
a multimillion dollar budget
00:19:43.61\00:19:47.35
and expect him to use
good judgment when in a smaller
00:19:47.38\00:19:52.32
social situation, he
was so far off base?"
00:19:52.35\00:19:56.76
We really are being
viewed all the time,
00:19:56.79\00:20:00.93
even in networking situations.
00:20:00.96\00:20:03.80
Now, I had a mentor who was a
vice president and one evening
00:20:03.83\00:20:08.80
I was talking to him and
there was a social function
00:20:08.84\00:20:11.97
that the higher ups were
giving and I kind of knew
00:20:12.01\00:20:15.78
that I should go, but
I didn't want to go...
00:20:15.81\00:20:19.08
I said, "Man, I
really don't want to go."
00:20:19.11\00:20:21.48
And he was the vice president,
so he taught me a few things,
00:20:21.52\00:20:24.72
he said, "Eric, you're
really not that important
00:20:24.75\00:20:27.82
once you get there, but
you need to make an appearance,
00:20:27.86\00:20:31.73
they need to know that
you were there in support
00:20:31.76\00:20:34.96
of their program."
00:20:35.00\00:20:36.83
I said, "Okay."
00:20:36.87\00:20:38.37
He said, "This evening, I'll
meet you there and I'm going
00:20:38.40\00:20:41.67
to teach you how to
make a 5 minute appearance
00:20:41.70\00:20:45.17
seem like you
were there all night."
00:20:45.21\00:20:48.31
I said, "Really? I'll be
able to get out and go do what I
00:20:48.34\00:20:50.65
want to do?" He
said, "Absolutely."
00:20:50.68\00:20:52.91
So, later that evening,
he met met in the hallway
00:20:52.95\00:20:56.08
of this hotel ballroom
outside of where the big event
00:20:56.12\00:20:59.65
was going to happen...
00:20:59.69\00:21:01.02
He said, "Eric, I want
you to check your coat in at
00:21:01.06\00:21:04.03
the coat check room."
00:21:04.06\00:21:05.39
So, I said, "How long
is it going to be there?
00:21:05.43\00:21:08.16
He said, "Five to 10 minutes."
00:21:08.20\00:21:09.63
I'm like, "Really? I'm
going to be out of here
00:21:09.66\00:21:11.80
in 5 to 10
minutes?" He said, "Yeah!"
00:21:11.83\00:21:13.27
So I checked my coat in,
I put my little check coat
00:21:13.30\00:21:17.77
thing in my pocket and said,
00:21:17.81\00:21:19.14
"Okay, let's go see
what's going to happen next."
00:21:19.17\00:21:21.21
Then he said, "Eric, I want you
to get a nonalcoholic drink."
00:21:21.24\00:21:25.71
Sounds good - no
alcohol, no problem!
00:21:25.75\00:21:28.22
He said, "But I want you
to put a cherry and a lime
00:21:28.25\00:21:31.59
and a little stirrer in it."
00:21:31.62\00:21:33.29
Okay... so I got me a
Seven-Up, put a cherry in it,
00:21:33.32\00:21:37.83
lime, everything he told me.
00:21:37.86\00:21:39.49
He said, "Now I want you
to look around the room...
00:21:39.53\00:21:41.46
Who are the three
most influential people,
00:21:41.50\00:21:45.37
the leaders in the room?"
00:21:45.40\00:21:47.80
So I saw a
division vice president;
00:21:47.84\00:21:49.77
I saw an executive
vice president and kind of a
00:21:49.80\00:21:52.41
regional manager who
had a lot of influence.
00:21:52.44\00:21:54.54
He said, "Now what I want
you to do - I want you to go
00:21:54.58\00:21:57.45
speak to each one of
those people and not look like
00:21:57.48\00:22:01.22
you're rushed or busy,
but just have a conversation."
00:22:01.25\00:22:04.45
I said, "Well,
they're kind of important."
00:22:04.49\00:22:06.92
He said, "They don't really
want to talk to you that much
00:22:06.96\00:22:09.02
either, but they need to
know that you were here."
00:22:09.06\00:22:11.63
So I went by the first
person, "How are you? Fine."
00:22:11.66\00:22:13.83
And he asked me and
was kind of friendly about
00:22:13.86\00:22:15.20
the whole
thing... "Hey, you're here,
00:22:15.23\00:22:16.56
how far do you have
to drive to get back home
00:22:16.60\00:22:18.00
when this is
over? And had small talk
00:22:18.03\00:22:20.40
that lasted about 45 seconds.
00:22:20.44\00:22:22.64
Now the second executive,
he was easy to talk to also.
00:22:22.67\00:22:25.57
We chitchatted for a
few seconds - that was done.
00:22:25.61\00:22:28.48
Now the third executive was over
by the hors d'oeuvres table...
00:22:28.51\00:22:31.75
by the time I got over there,
he told me what tasted best.
00:22:31.78\00:22:36.45
Then my mentor said,
"Look around the room and
00:22:36.48\00:22:39.29
where are the three peers
who have the biggest mouths
00:22:39.32\00:22:42.22
where you work - I mean
the people that announce
00:22:42.26\00:22:44.09
everything that they see - that
you were here, what you did."
00:22:44.13\00:22:47.33
So I found those
people, told a couple of jokes,
00:22:47.36\00:22:50.80
had some laughs and
when I looked at my watch,
00:22:50.83\00:22:53.50
only 6 or 7 minutes had gone by.
00:22:53.54\00:22:57.17
So then my mentor says,
"All right, look around like
00:22:57.21\00:22:59.77
you're looking
for the restroom."
00:22:59.81\00:23:01.14
So I did - I looked around
and then when I stepped out into
00:23:01.18\00:23:04.35
foyer, my mentor was
already there with his coat.
00:23:04.38\00:23:08.12
He said, "What
took you so long?"
00:23:08.15\00:23:10.02
I pulled out my coat
check, got my coat and left.
00:23:10.05\00:23:13.79
Just because you show
up, doesn't mean you have to
00:23:13.82\00:23:16.49
stay there all night.
00:23:16.52\00:23:18.39
Ask for bigger and
better assignments.
00:23:18.43\00:23:22.20
When a new project is announced,
00:23:22.23\00:23:24.07
step up and ask
for the lead role.
00:23:24.10\00:23:25.90
Now the misstep here
is one of two things...
00:23:25.93\00:23:28.60
You either expect it
will go to the usual person
00:23:28.64\00:23:31.51
that gets put in charge
of things anyway or you wait
00:23:31.54\00:23:34.94
and hope that you're going
to be hand-picked by your boss.
00:23:34.98\00:23:38.08
Don't wait for somebody to
be assigned or somebody else
00:23:38.11\00:23:40.92
to take the lead -
SPEAK UP and STEP UP to ensure
00:23:40.95\00:23:44.52
you are getting more
responsibility and more
00:23:44.55\00:23:47.29
opportunity for
positive exposure.
00:23:47.32\00:23:50.03
Now the risk here is to
make sure that you know that
00:23:50.06\00:23:53.16
you're absolutely
capable of completing whatever
00:23:53.19\00:23:56.16
assignment you ask
for and doing it well.
00:23:56.20\00:23:59.80
Tell your manager about
your goals, don't wait for
00:23:59.83\00:24:02.90
your next performance
review to discuss your goals
00:24:02.94\00:24:05.41
with your boss - schedule
a meeting as soon as you can.
00:24:05.44\00:24:09.81
Use the information
that you're getting back from
00:24:09.84\00:24:11.98
performance reviews and
look at where you're going
00:24:12.01\00:24:14.95
against the objectives
that you've set for yourself.
00:24:14.98\00:24:17.59
If you can schedule meetings
on your manager's calendar,
00:24:17.62\00:24:20.56
send the meeting request
and include the meeting goal
00:24:20.59\00:24:23.43
to discuss your
career development.
00:24:23.46\00:24:25.36
If you can't, send
an email to your manager
00:24:25.39\00:24:27.96
or get a brief hallway
discussion to let him know
00:24:28.00\00:24:30.80
"Hey, I'd like to
discuss my career goals
00:24:30.83\00:24:34.04
as soon as it's convenient."
00:24:34.07\00:24:35.40
As with any meeting, you
need to prepare ahead of time
00:24:35.44\00:24:38.97
in order to have
descent discussion.
00:24:39.01\00:24:40.68
So picture where do you want to
be in your career in 12 months.
00:24:40.71\00:24:45.15
Picture where you'd
like to be in 5 years.
00:24:45.18\00:24:48.68
Now look at the
strengths that you have,
00:24:48.72\00:24:50.69
and how that will help you...
00:24:50.72\00:24:53.15
Also, look at the areas that
you need to grow and develop in.
00:24:53.19\00:24:57.63
Discuss these areas with your
boss and ask what other areas
00:24:57.66\00:25:02.06
they feel you need to improve
in where you need development.
00:25:02.10\00:25:06.50
The critical goal of this first
consultation with your boss
00:25:06.53\00:25:10.01
should be an action plan.
00:25:10.04\00:25:12.17
You want to leave there
with something you can work on.
00:25:12.21\00:25:15.11
So during the
meeting, work with your manager
00:25:15.14\00:25:17.35
to understand their expectations
and ensure that they're
00:25:17.38\00:25:21.25
connected and
aligned with yours.
00:25:21.28\00:25:23.18
Identify the
areas for development;
00:25:23.22\00:25:25.25
discuss assignments
that you can get that would
00:25:25.29\00:25:28.39
help you in development,
training that you can go to
00:25:28.42\00:25:31.49
that would help develop
your weaknesses into strengths,
00:25:31.53\00:25:34.80
and agree on some
sort of feedback plan...
00:25:34.83\00:25:37.37
so whether it's biannually
or quarterly, you know,
00:25:37.40\00:25:40.80
the formal performance
review or a more informal
00:25:40.84\00:25:44.24
weekly or monthly meeting.
00:25:44.27\00:25:45.74
I like that one because I
want to know what I'm doing
00:25:45.77\00:25:47.94
at all times.
00:25:47.98\00:25:49.71
Now the work doesn't
end when the meeting does.
00:25:49.74\00:25:52.21
After the meeting, document
the goals and action plans
00:25:52.25\00:25:55.55
that you discussed at
the meeting and shared
00:25:55.58\00:25:57.85
with your manager
for review and approval.
00:25:57.89\00:26:00.16
Use that document as a
roadmap for your future
00:26:00.19\00:26:03.76
feedback sessions and
update it as projects and goals
00:26:03.79\00:26:07.40
and tasks change.
00:26:07.43\00:26:08.76
Your manager may have shared
your goals and action plans
00:26:08.80\00:26:11.00
with HR after the
meeting, but if he didn't
00:26:11.03\00:26:13.57
make sure it's included in
your next performance review,
00:26:13.60\00:26:16.47
kind of a little
document behind that one.
00:26:16.50\00:26:18.87
Be sure to always look
at it and measure it against
00:26:18.91\00:26:22.78
your career objectives.
00:26:22.81\00:26:25.01
Lastly, how can you
establish a superior reputation?
00:26:25.05\00:26:28.32
Help people!
Science corroborates this.
00:26:28.35\00:26:31.59
In a study from the
University of Wisconsin,
00:26:31.62\00:26:34.69
researchers found that
those who help others are
00:26:34.72\00:26:37.79
happier at work than those who
don't prioritize helping others.
00:26:37.83\00:26:41.93
So I challenge you to
increase your positive exposure
00:26:41.96\00:26:46.33
by increasing the
number of people that you help.
00:26:46.37\00:26:51.54
Let me share a verse where
I believe we can be assured
00:26:51.57\00:26:54.31
that our helping
others won't be in vain.
00:26:54.34\00:26:56.91
It's in Galatians 6:9
and it says the following:
00:26:56.95\00:27:00.58
Now I like the sound of that...
00:27:07.06\00:27:08.72
Positive exposure
and God's blessings.
00:27:08.76\00:27:12.46
That's fantastic!
00:27:12.49\00:27:14.60
Remember, you may be
powerless over what they
00:27:14.63\00:27:18.00
can do to you, but they
are absolutely powerless
00:27:18.03\00:27:22.30
over what God will do for you.
00:27:22.34\00:27:25.54
Until next time,
"Keep Working the Dream"
00:27:25.57\00:27:29.24