Portland State University's Center for Executive & Professional Education's Tammy Wheeler presented on "Being a Successful Professional" at the September pdxMindShare event at Trader Vic's in downtown Portland.

1. Being a Successful
Professional
pdx MindShare
September 17, 2014
Presented by Tammi Wheeler,
PeopleSense LLC
www.peoplesensellc.com

2. Professional Success
Thoughts?
 What makes a successful
professional?
 How would you coach
someone about how to
build their professional
success?
 What specific ideas and
recommendations do you
have?
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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3. Professional Success
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pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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4. Professional Success
1. Know Thy Self
• Target organizations that are a good fit
for you!
• Your Values
• Your Mission
• Your Passion
• Your Personality
• Target a job and organization that will:
• Capitalize on your strengths
• Minimize your weaknesses
• That you enjoy
• Every organization has a culture – what
are you looking for?
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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“I Yam what I Yam”

5. Professional Success
Organizational Culture
• Physical manifestation of an
organization’s culture
• Acronyms, manner of dress,
awards, myths and stories,
published lists of values,
observable rituals and
ceremonies, special parking
spaces, and decorations
• Politics
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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6. Professional Success
2. Professional Presence
Work is not school
Work is about adding
value
• Attitude
• Behaviors
• How you look
• How you talk
• How you write
• How you network
• How you manage time/stress
Not graded, paid/fired
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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7. Professional Success
3. Support Your Manager
As a manager/coach/consultant:
• It’s harder than it looks
• They need your help - make them look
good
• Don’t complain/whine/etc.
• Generational differences?
• Do you know their top priorities?
• Do you know their hot buttons?
• Do you know their work style?
• Do they know yours?
• They are paying you/writing your
review
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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8. Professional Success
Watch & Learn….
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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9. Professional Success
4. Attitude Is Everything
• Do your best always
• Nothing is beneath you
• Go the extra mile
• Don’t complain
• Don’t gossip
• Stay positive
• Play nice
• Avoid office politics
• Show genuine interest
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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10. Professional Success
Which of these people would you rather talk to?
Manage? Work with?
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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11. Professional Success
5. Communicate Effectively
• Clear, powerful communication
• Verbal
• Written
• Be confident, speak up at meetings
• Don’t interrupt others
• Be polite
• Appropriate language - slang,
swearing, acronyms
• Body Language
• Eye contact- no eye rolling
• Posture
• Don’t fidget
• Firm handshake
• Humor
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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12. Professional Success
6. Your Image/Your Brand
• Your image speaks VOLUMES!!!!
• Dress appropriately - how do leaders dress?
• Did you just roll out of bed? Really?
• Hair
• Make up
• Jewelry
• Fragrance
• Clothes - Avoid
• Logos
• Statements
• Politics
• Low-cut tops
• Low-cut pants
• Short dresses
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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13. Professional Success
7. Time Management
• On Time - mornings, meetings,
events
• Attendance
• Meet or exceed deadlines
• Don’t waste others’ time
• Get help if you need it
• Over deliver, under promise
• Manage your stress
• Earn responsibility
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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14. Professional Success
8. Phones & Computers
Phones – Avoid!
Texting?
Shopping?
Surfing?
Gaming?
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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15. Professional Success
9. Have Fun!
• Seriously!
• What do you enjoy?
• What motivates you?
• What do you do well?
• What are you learning?
• What impact do you have?
• How you use your creativity?
• How do you use your brain?
• Focus on the positive!
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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16. Professional Success
Call To Action
• 1-2 Key take-aways from today
• Next Steps – 1-2 actions for success
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tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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17. Professional Success
Thank You!
&
May You Enjoy Much
Professional Success!
tammi@peoplesensellc.com
503-640-3047
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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18. Professional Success
Additional Resources
10 ways school is different than the working world
http://evilhrlady.org/2014/08/10-ways-school-is-different-than-the-working-world.
html
The Toughest Lessons Every 20-Something Must Learn
http://www.businessinsider.com/tough-lessons-20-somethings-must-learn-2014-7
8 strengths lacking in today's marketers
http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/37088.asp?src=linkedIn201402#single
view
5 Important Rules for Navigating Social Interactions With Clients
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235787
18 Easy Conversation Starters For Networking Events ...
www.careerealism.com/conversation-starters-networking-events/
“Why Managing Up Matters, Harvard Business Review, HBSB U0208A, by Liz
Simpson
9/17/2014
pdx MindShare
tammi@PeopleSense LLC.com ©
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