DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY 08/21/09

Expect to Deal With Ambiguous Situations Everyday You need to handle ambiguous situations constantly. It is a challenge to figure out what to do and how to do it in a way that advances your career. As frustrating as this reality may seem, it is just part of the nature of being a successful professional in a rapidly changing work world. You must continuously understand the nature and scope of your responsibilities, interact effectively with others, get things done, decide how much risk to take, or know when and how to leave your job. 08/21/09

You need to handle ambiguous situations

constantly.

It is a challenge to figure out what to do and

how to do it in a way that advances your career.

As frustrating as this reality may seem, it is

just part of the nature of being a successful

professional in a rapidly changing work world.

You must continuously understand the nature and scope of your responsibilities, interact effectively with others, get things done, decide how much risk to take, or know when and how to leave your job.

Make Yourself Accessible Everyone gets into a bad mood sometimes. Make sure that you don’t take your mood out on anyone else. It is not necessary to paste a fake smile on your face when you walk through the door. Demonstrate common courtesy by saying hello in a friendly tone of voice, smiling a little, and making eye contact. 08/21/09

Everyone gets into a bad mood sometimes. Make sure that you don’t take your mood out on anyone else.

It is not necessary to paste a fake smile on

your face when you walk through the door.

Demonstrate common courtesy by saying hello in a friendly tone of voice, smiling a little, and making eye contact.

Put What Motivates You in Your Job What motivates you directly affects your ability to work smart. Both your values and circumstances determine what motivates you on the job. Your circumstances also motivate you. Financial hardships. Pressure from you family. Whatever motivates you-and this is likely to change over time-you need to understand and prioritize both your values and needs Carefully. This may mean that you must temporarily choose between two important values and needs, or among several of your top values and needs. 08/21/09

What motivates you directly affects your ability to work smart.

Both your values and circumstances determine what motivates you on the job.

Your circumstances also motivate you.

Financial hardships.

Pressure from you family.

Whatever motivates you-and this is likely to change over time-you need to understand and prioritize both your values and needs Carefully.

This may mean that you must temporarily choose between two important values and needs, or among several of your top values and needs.

Blend Your Decision-Making Approach With Those of Others Every day you make so many decisions in both your professional and personal life that you may not even realize how you go about the decision making. Some tend to make snap decisions, either based on a black and white view of the world, or on pure gut instinct. Others may take as much time as possible to make decisions, thoroughly considering every possible angle and outcome. Many do not approach decision making strictly one way or another. It is very important to recognize your favorite approach and to be aware of how it matches or clashes with others, especially your manager’s. 08/21/09

Every day you make so many decisions in both your professional and personal life that you may not even realize how you go about the decision making.

Some tend to make snap decisions, either based on a black and white view of the world, or on pure gut instinct.

Others may take as much time as possible to make decisions, thoroughly considering every possible angle and outcome.

Many do not approach decision making strictly one way or another.

It is very important to recognize your favorite approach and to be aware of how it matches or clashes with others, especially your manager’s.

Define Your Perceived and Real Images What image do you project at work? Why? The best way to figure out how you’re coming across to others is to ask. You may discover that others don’t perceive you in the same way that you perceive Yourself. It is important for your success that you find out why your imagined and real images are different at work. 08/21/09

What image do you project at work? Why?

The best way to figure out how you’re coming across to others is to ask.

You may discover that others don’t perceive you in the same way that you perceive Yourself.

It is important for your success that you find out why your imagined and real images are different at work.

Return Messages Promptly Phone calls, E-Mail, Faxes. It is critical that you respond to them as quickly as Possible. Returning messages should be a priority, regardless of how busy you get. It will make your work environment more pleasant, since everyone appreciates it when you respect them enough to take their messages seriously. 08/21/09

Phone calls, E-Mail, Faxes.

It is critical that you respond to them as quickly as Possible.

Returning messages should be a priority, regardless of how busy you get.

It will make your work environment more pleasant, since everyone appreciates it when you respect them enough to take their messages seriously.

Manage Your Time By Tuning In to Clients’ Needs To prevent phone, e-mail, and fax messages from taking up all of your time, is to make your responses as considerate and productive as possible. Focus on finding out what the other person really needs or is concerned about. Remember, people have different communication styles. Try to accommodate the requester’s style as much as possible. Redirect the conversation back to the issue at hand as quickly as possible. 08/21/09

To prevent phone, e-mail, and fax messages

from taking up all of your time, is to make

your responses as considerate and productive

as possible.

Focus on finding out what the other person

really needs or is concerned about.

Remember, people have different

communication styles.

Try to accommodate the requester’s style as

much as possible.

Redirect the conversation back to the issue at

hand as quickly as possible.

Act and Follow Up Quickly and Consistently Work with the person to determine what kind of solution will best meet their needs. Let them know what action you plan to take to resolve the problem (and by when). Follow-up afterwards to determine that the outcome was successful. 08/21/09

Work with the person to determine what kind of solution will best meet their needs.

Let them know what action you plan to take to resolve the problem (and by when).

Follow-up afterwards to determine that the outcome was successful.

Handle Conflicts Before They Handle You Conflicts will arise between you and someone else (Boss, employee, client, etc.). It is tempting to ignore these tensions and hope they resolve themselves. It is not worth the risk-they could grow rather than diminish. Don’t point fingers and throw blame around. Address the problems directly, immediately, and constructively. Focus on the problem by sticking to the facts and focusing on how the other person’s specific behaviors (words and actions) affected you without being accusatory. 08/21/09

Conflicts will arise between you and someone else (Boss, employee, client, etc.).

It is tempting to ignore these tensions and hope they resolve themselves.

It is not worth the risk-they could grow rather than diminish.

Don’t point fingers and throw blame around.

Address the problems directly, immediately, and constructively.

Focus on the problem by sticking to the facts and focusing on how the other person’s specific behaviors (words and actions) affected you without being accusatory.

Cont… Listen carefully to the other person’s point of view without interrupting or judging what they are saying . Try to understand the situation from their Perspective. Be prepared to respectfully disagree. You can then get past the situation and Proceed. 08/21/09

Listen carefully to the other person’s point of view without interrupting or judging what they are saying .

Try to understand the situation from their Perspective.

Be prepared to respectfully disagree.

You can then get past the situation and Proceed.

Act Enthusiastic and Positive Nobody likes working with a pessimist. But you do not have to emulate the Energizer Bunny. Show that you are an upbeat person who seeks to enjoy your job and do the best you Can. Take the time to foster positive interactions with your coworkers. A friendly smile and occasional small talk about the weather, sports, vacations will go a long way towards building comfortable working relationships. 08/21/09

Nobody likes working with a pessimist.

But you do not have to emulate the Energizer Bunny.

Show that you are an upbeat person who seeks to enjoy your job and do the best you Can.

Take the time to foster positive interactions with your coworkers.

A friendly smile and occasional small talk about the weather, sports, vacations will go a long way towards building comfortable working relationships.

Cont… When people feel that they know a little bit about you, it strengthens your ability to work better together. It is really important that you find ways that are genuine and easy to project a positive attitude on the job They don’t have to be big ways, just effective ones. 08/21/09

When people feel that they know a little bit about you, it strengthens your ability to work better together.

It is really important that you find ways that are genuine and easy to project a positive attitude on the job

They don’t have to be big ways, just effective ones.

Think Like an Owner or Top Dog Approach your work as if you own your Organization. You should consistently generate initiatives that will help your organization achieve its Mission. If you believe that you have as much to lose and gain as the CEO you will notice both details and big-picture trends that you never saw before. You will make an ongoing, significant contribution by paying attention to things like cutting cost without sacrificing quality, developing new programs, designing on target marketing strategies, and selecting staff who are a good fit with the organization. This mindset will enable you to show that you are invested in your organization. 08/21/09

Approach your work as if you own your Organization.

You should consistently generate initiatives that will help your organization achieve its Mission.

If you believe that you have as much to lose and gain as the CEO you will notice both details and big-picture trends that you never saw before.

You will make an ongoing, significant contribution by paying attention to things like cutting cost without sacrificing quality, developing new programs, designing on target marketing strategies, and selecting staff who are a good fit with the organization.

This mindset will enable you to show that you are invested in your organization.

Find Solutions to Problems Your willingness to be a trouble-shooter is a key part of your attitude. You need to find creative, cost-effective solutions to these problem. First consider all of your options. Ask yourself if it is the most realistic solution before you present it. 08/21/09

Your willingness to be a trouble-shooter is a key part of your attitude.

You need to find creative, cost-effective solutions to these problem.

First consider all of your options.

Ask yourself if it is the most realistic solution before you present it.

Cont… There are four criteria to determine if your idea will Fly….. 1. Timing: Is it timely, given your organization’s other priorities. 2. Cost: Is it cost-effective, given what it adds to or save from the bottom line. 3. Politics: will it be well received, given the politics of the situation; Who should you present it? 4. Culture: At what pace are you proposing to implement this change? How radical a change are you proposing? 08/21/09

There are four criteria to determine if your idea will Fly…..

1. Timing: Is it timely, given your organization’s other priorities.

2. Cost: Is it cost-effective, given what it adds to or save from the bottom line.

3. Politics: will it be well received, given the politics of the situation; Who should you present it?

4. Culture: At what pace are you proposing to implement this change? How radical a change are you proposing?

Do Grunt Work With a Smile You have to demonstrate that you are willing to do grunt work. Rising to the challenge of big, highly visible projects will help establish your competency. Every job involves some small mundane tasks. If you take on these responsibilities without grumbling, you will come across as a team player instead of as an egomaniac or a snob. 08/21/09

You have to demonstrate that you are willing to do grunt work.

Rising to the challenge of big, highly visible projects will help establish your competency.

Every job involves some small mundane tasks.

If you take on these responsibilities without

grumbling, you will come across as a team player instead of as an egomaniac or a snob.

Admit Your Mistakes and Limits Part of teamwork requires that you admit your mistakes and take responsibility. Many people are afraid that if they point out their errors, they’ll get into more trouble than if they hide them. In most cases, buried mistakes surface at a later time. Hiding mistakes may trigger other problems. 08/21/09

Part of teamwork requires that you admit your mistakes and take responsibility.

Many people are afraid that if they point out their errors, they’ll get into more trouble than if they hide them.

In most cases, buried mistakes surface at a later time.

Hiding mistakes may trigger other problems.

Cont… Everyone makes mistakes. Depending on the severity of an error, this may be an uncomfortable thing to do. Pretending a problem doesn’t exist will probably make you worry about being Discovered. Conserve your resources by admitting mistakes, learning from them, and avoid repeating them. Most common causes of mistakes is people’s attempts to hide their limits. Instead of admitting when they don’t know how to do something, or need help, some people just plow ahead stubbornly. Everyone has limits. 08/21/09

Everyone makes mistakes.

Depending on the severity of an error, this may be an uncomfortable thing to do.

Pretending a problem doesn’t exist will probably make you worry about being Discovered.

Conserve your resources by admitting mistakes, learning from them, and avoid repeating them.

Most common causes of mistakes is people’s attempts to hide their limits.

Instead of admitting when they don’t know how to do something, or need help, some people just plow ahead stubbornly.

Everyone has limits.

Take Calculated Risks Take smart risks from time to time. There is no guarantee that such risks will work out, but they will pay off in terms of letting others know that you are someone who takes initiative. It will help you to exceed, not just meet, your job requirements. You can’t do everything perfectly, so focus on calculated risks that match your manager’s Priorities. 08/21/09

Take smart risks from time to time.

There is no guarantee that such risks will work out, but they will pay off in terms of letting others know that you are someone who takes initiative.

It will help you to exceed, not just meet, your job requirements.

You can’t do everything perfectly, so focus on calculated risks that match your manager’s Priorities.

Identify Yourself and Your Purpose Up Front When Calling When you place a call, make sure you identify yourself by name and affiliation up front, if Necessary. This prevents the caller from having to guess your identity and saves them from feeling embarrassed or aggravated. State the purpose for the call. 08/21/09

When you place a call, make sure you identify yourself by name and affiliation up front, if Necessary.

This prevents the caller from having to guess your identity and saves them from feeling embarrassed or aggravated.

State the purpose for the call.

Monitor Your Tone of Voice Sounding spacey or tense isn’t the way to talk on the phone. Take a deep breath to clear your head and speak in a calm, directed tone. Record yourself. 08/21/09

Sounding spacey or tense isn’t the way to talk on the phone.

Take a deep breath to clear your head and speak in a calm, directed tone.

Record yourself.

Pace Yourself During a Phone Call The speed of your speech may vary depending on your personality or mood. Speaking too quickly is particularly common. Regional speech patterns vary greatly and you need to adjust to them-by talking faster or slower-without sounding patronizing. 08/21/09

The speed of your speech may vary depending on your personality or mood.

Speaking too quickly is particularly common.

Regional speech patterns vary greatly and you need to adjust to them-by talking faster or slower-without sounding patronizing.

Leave a Specific Phone Message Make it as specific a message as possible. You may save both you and the caller an extra phone call. 08/21/09

Make it as specific a message as possible.

You may save both you and the caller an extra phone call.

Time E-Mails Right Don’t count on your e-mails being read soon after you send them. If a message is really important, but off schedule, consider sending it another way. 08/21/09

Don’t count on your e-mails being read soon after you send them.

If a message is really important, but off

schedule, consider sending it another way.

Tune E-Mails Up It is easy to write e-mails in a more casual style than you would write a memo or other Document. Be careful about using abbreviations. No cutesy symbols. Run spell check. 08/21/09

It is easy to write e-mails in a more casual style than you would write a memo or other Document.

Be careful about using abbreviations.

No cutesy symbols.

Run spell check.

Send E-Mails Carefully Sending e-mail to the wrong address can be a disaster. If e-mails are highly confidential, be very careful how you send them if at all. You never know who can read e-mails sent and received 08/21/09

Sending e-mail to the wrong address can be a disaster.

If e-mails are highly confidential, be very careful how you send them if at all.

You never know who can read e-mails sent and received

Keep Your Professional Guard Up in E-Mails Since e-mail systems are the property of an organization, your confidentiality isn’t Guaranteed. Managers and computer support people have access to your files. So don’t gossip, complain, belittle, or conduct personal business through your work e-mail Account. 08/21/09

Since e-mail systems are the property of an organization, your confidentiality isn’t Guaranteed.

Managers and computer support people have access to your files.

So don’t gossip, complain, belittle, or conduct personal business through your work e-mail Account.

Start Preparing Presentations ASAP Occasionally, you’ll only have a day or a few hours to prepare for a presentation, especially if it is a recycled one. But if it is a new one, give yourself as much led time as you can, to ensure that you end up with a high-quality presentation. 08/21/09

Occasionally, you’ll only have a day or a few

hours to prepare for a presentation, especially

if it is a recycled one.

But if it is a new one, give yourself as much

led time as you can, to ensure that you end up with a high-quality presentation.

Establish the Why and the What of Presentations First you need to get clear about why you are doing the presentation and the scope of the material you should cover. If you go ahead with only a vague idea in your mind, it will be difficult to complete and to broad in nature. Ask the why and what of your presentation. 08/21/09

First you need to get clear about why you are

doing the presentation and the scope of the

material you should cover.

If you go ahead with only a vague idea in your mind, it will be difficult to complete and to broad in nature.

Ask the why and what of your presentation.

Identify Each Presentation’s Audience Knowing your audience will further enable you to target the format and content of your presentation Two audiences need different amounts of information and should be presented in different ways 08/21/09

Knowing your audience will further enable you to target the format and content of your presentation

Two audiences need different amounts of information and should be presented in different ways

Arrange the Right Place for Presentations Where you give your presentation matters as much as its quality. Gear your location toward the size of your Audience. Make sure that the space you choose can accommodate the format of the program. Any special equipment is another Consideration. Make sure everything works ahead of time. 08/21/09

Where you give your presentation matters as

much as its quality.

Gear your location toward the size of your

Audience.

Make sure that the space you choose can accommodate the format of the program.

Any special equipment is another Consideration.

Make sure everything works ahead of time.

Practice Presentations Before You Speak Familiarize yourself with/without your material (Practice). Review what you want to say and make notes with key phrases on cue cards or slides. While you speak, scan the audience. You don’t want to break the record as the fastest or as the slowest speaker. 08/21/09

Familiarize yourself with/without your

material (Practice).

Review what you want to say and make notes with key phrases on cue cards or slides.

While you speak, scan the audience.

You don’t want to break the record as the

fastest or as the slowest speaker.

Practice Presentations Before You Speak Speak clearly by projecting your voice to an appropriate level and enunciating your words. You don’t have to fill every silence. Pausing for air, for emphasis, or to let a point sink in is acceptable. No “umm’s” or “uhh’s” It is annoying. 08/21/09

Speak clearly by projecting your voice to an appropriate level and enunciating your words.

You don’t have to fill every silence.

Pausing for air, for emphasis, or to let a point sink in is acceptable.

No “umm’s” or “uhh’s” It is annoying.

Plan Your Appearance for Presentations Match your outfit to the occasion. Since you are the presenter, you probably need to dress one level up from what everyone else is wearing. Right before the presentation, double check your appearance-Fix hair, check your teeth, straighten your clothes. 08/21/09

Match your outfit to the occasion.

Since you are the presenter, you probably

need to dress one level up from what everyone

else is wearing.

Right before the presentation, double check

your appearance-Fix hair, check your teeth,

straighten your clothes.

Tie Up Loose Ends Before Presentations Arrive at your presentation site early to make sure it’s set up properly. See if everything is in place and working, including: chairs, tables, microphones, audiovisual equipment, lights, temperature, refreshments, paper, and pencils. 08/21/09

Arrive at your presentation site early to make sure it’s set up properly.

See if everything is in place and working, including: chairs, tables, microphones, audiovisual equipment, lights, temperature, refreshments, paper, and pencils.

Be Ready for Anything at Meetings Regardless of where and why you are meeting, it is important to prepare beforehand. Bring any necessary materials and information you need to fully participate . 08/21/09

Regardless of where and why you are

meeting, it is important to prepare

beforehand.

Bring any necessary materials and information you need to fully participate .

Sit in the Right Spot at Meetings Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in and get a handle on the layout of the room. Sit across or in direct line of vision of the facilitator. Be aware of who you sit next to on either side. Try to position yourself next to others with good reputations. 08/21/09

Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in and get a handle on the layout of the room.

Sit across or in direct line of vision of the

facilitator.

Be aware of who you sit next to on either side.

Try to position yourself next to others with

good reputations.

Listen and Think, Then Speak at Meetings Strike a balance between speaking and listening during a meeting. It is more important to make thoughtful, concise contributions than to speak excessively without saying anything substantial. When you do speak, try to tie in what you are saying with what others have said. 08/21/09

Strike a balance between speaking and

listening during a meeting.

It is more important to make thoughtful, concise contributions than to speak excessively without saying anything substantial.

When you do speak, try to tie in what you are saying with what others have said.

Cont… Think before you speak; during a particularly volatile meeting. Some people will react impulsively and say things that they later wish they could take back : Think before you speak Think before you speak Think before you speak 08/21/09

Think before you speak; during a particularly volatile meeting.

Some people will react impulsively and say things that they later wish they could take back :

Think before you speak

Think before you speak

Think before you speak

Stay Focused on Each Meeting’s Agenda Consider whether what you have to say is relevant and help to steer the conversation when it gets wildly off topic. Ask the group to clarify the meeting’s goal, or politely suggest that you get back to the agenda. 08/21/09

Consider whether what you have to say is

relevant and help to steer the conversation when it gets wildly off topic.

Ask the group to clarify the meeting’s goal, or politely suggest that you get back to the agenda.

Monitor Your Body Language at Meetings Your body language will also help you get your points across during meetings. Regardless of how courteous your words and tone of voice are, the signals that you send by how you hold your body need to match: Tapping your foot, drumming your fingers, biting your nails, frowning, staring up at the ceiling, doodling. 08/21/09

Your body language will also help you get

your points across during meetings.

Regardless of how courteous your words and

tone of voice are, the signals that you send by how you hold your body need to match:

Tapping your foot, drumming your fingers, biting your nails, frowning, staring up at the ceiling, doodling.

Dress for the Occasion You have to adjust your clothes to fit the occasion. Always pay attention to what’s the right thing to do at your workplace. Taking the extra step to look good will help you feel confident as well as enhance your reputation as a team player and committed employee. 08/21/09

You have to adjust your clothes to fit the

occasion.

Always pay attention to what’s the right thing

to do at your workplace.

Taking the extra step to look good will help

you feel confident as well as enhance your

reputation as a team player and committed employee.

~THANKS~ 08/21/09

~THANKS~