Work hard and play hard
Work is a big part of our lives, and it is important to find balance. Injecting fun (appropriately of course) into the workday can boost morale and engagement. When we look forward to coming to work, it can create a positive atmosphere that fosters a sense of camaraderie, out-of-the-box thinking, and strengthen team dynamics.
Leadership 101
Few people would argue that the ability to deliver business results through the coordinated efforts of others is a key competency for most leadership roles. But leadership itself is not just about achieving results through authority. It is about creating an environment where people are motivated, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential, and the best leaders know how to treat people with respect, foster trust, inspire people to see beyond their own limitations, and encourage action without relying on a title or position of authority. Make no mistake, they are still able to achieve exceptional results, but at the same time, they are building highly engaged, high performing, high-impact teams that are fortified to stand the test of time. These leaders are action-oriented collaborators, culture carriers, and talent multipliers, effectively bringing out the best in others to deliver a distinct competitive advantage for the organization.
Building Trust
Business is built on relationships and foundational to sustaining long term success. Without trust, there is no meaningful relationship to build upon. The best leaders keep their word, set high standards for ethical behavior, and expect the same from others. Living up to commitments, maintaining a high “say-do” ratio, and showing consistency between words and actions are just a few areas to start with.
Transferable Skills
I don’t recall the first time I actually heard the term, “transferable skills,” but I am completely convinced of the value they can bring to someone’s career. Problem-solving, critical thinking, adaptability, and effective communication are only a few of the capabilities that can transcend specific jobs to become valuable competencies, regardless of the role.
For much of my professional life, I have worked in Human Resources at some amazing companies and alongside truly impressive people. As a profession, HR has been incredibly fun, challenging, and rewarding, but it was in sales, not HR, where I got my start. I consider myself fortunate, especially so early in my career, to have worked with leaders who recognized the importance of professional development, and backed it up with meaningful investments in time, resources, and recognition. Looking back, the practical training, development, and stretch assignments that I experienced throughout my entire career have undoubtedly helped me be better prepared for situations and challenges that future roles would present.
With or without formalized training, opportunities to develop valuable transferable skills exist around us every day. The key is having the self-awareness to recognize the opportunity itself and to learn from the experience, so the knowledge can be leveraged intentionally to solve problems in the future.
Photo Credit: The first photo shown here is from a President’s Club event circa 1991 and includes just a few of the very talented people that I had the pleasure of working with at MCI. Stacking hands as a team left to right: Fran Moncada, me, Donna Anderson, Vince Salvaggio, and Ed Tolliver. The second picture shows the lapel pins for top sales supervisor, with each stone representing a month. I recall wearing these proudly :-)
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