Shades of Success, Inc.

30 Hours, 30 Days

Can you find one hour a day for the next 30 days to knock down small tasks? Andy Wibbels says you can.

Go to http://30h30d.com/ to find out how.

Fight Status Quo

"Status quo, you know, that is Latin for "the mess we're in." Ronald Regan

Nowadays, it seems nearly impossible to be able to maintain status quo.  Given the ups and downs of the stock market, shifting business models and technology trends, we find ourselves in a constant state of change.  How then can we still live in the status quo?

If we were to analyze Regan's quote in terms of our current business environment, status quo can be interpreted as our inability or unwillingness to change.  You may say, 'What if nothing needs to change?' My response:   How can we effectively address our professional and business goals if we remain the same when everything around us--demands, expectations, resources--is constantly changing?

Three suggestions to fight status quo:

• Do a self-check every quarter - Just as we have yearly physical check ups, it would be beneficial to our professional lives to do a quarterly check up.  Ask yourself:  Do I still like what I do for a living? Why? What have I learned in the past three months? Where am I going professionally?
• Conduct an asset and skill audit - Having an updated copy of your resume or a revised copy of your marketing collateral are not enough.  You must be able to articulate the full story of your professional path from then to now in a way that captures: 1) your areas of expertise, 2)your key accomplishments and 3) where you headed.  All in under a minute.  This is method is also known as the elevator speech.
• Allow status quo into your life (temporarily and only if necessary) - If you are going through a tough time and feel overwhelmed, you may be in your best moment to address status quo proactively.  Why not, then, give yourself some time to acknowledge that you need to take it one day at a time. This temporary approach will relieve you from the added pressure to make decisions in a hurry while you recover energy, clarity and focus.

Relational Leadership 102

Everyone aspires to be a leader in some way or form.  That is because the word "leadership" evokes a positive meaning.  Popular belief says that a leader is someone who has power, is in charge and gets things done.

A relational leader accomplishes all of the above by establishing a partnership with employees, clients and other constituents. There are five elements that are the foundation of relational leadership:

• Mutuality - Parties relate to each other as equal regardless of title, rank or expertise.  Exercising mutuality in the real world could be challenging as there is a tendency to rely on and engage with the person with the most perceived power excluding the rest of the team.
• Optimal Conditions to Accomplish Tasks - Accomplishing tasks effectively and efficiently goes beyond creating processes and systems.  These must include all parties buy in and match expertise with needed outcomes.
• Fluid Expertise - Since all parties are regarded as equals, their input and contribution to the project are also valued as equally important as others.  The challenge lies in staying away from a know-it-all or know-nothing situation.
• Authoritative - Similar to fluid expetise, there needs to be a balance between become an authorititarian and deferring the authority role to others.
• Healthy Conflict - A well-rounded discussion ultimately will benefit the outcome.  When parties have opposing views, neither avoidance or coercion is recommended.

Where do you fit within these five elements? Which do you consider most challenging? Why?

Does Google Enhance or Erode your Professional Image?

Let's admit it. Call it an ego trip or simple curiosity, most of us have googled ourselves. What we find during our search--or do not find--could be of vital importance to our professional lives.

If we do not find ourselves in Google's index, it could mean two things: 1) you are not looking properly (using the right word combinations); or 2) you simply do not have an online identity.  The first alternative is highly unlikely.  The second can be easily modified to your advantage.

A Google search under your name that yields questionable online activities (as in compromising pictures or comments) can turn into a long-term liability.  You might say who could be so careless.  There are lots of people who have chronicled their social life online and have lost job offers or opportunities for advancement because of what potential bosses or business partners have found.

So, next time you Google yourself, conduct a thorough review of what comes up. Also, be mindful of what and how you contribute to blogs and online community forums. If you would to find what your online identity score is, go to http://www.careerdistinction.com/onlineid/