A Reflective Task for 2010

As we continue into the new year of 2010, it is important to reevaluate your interests, values, ethics, hidden talents and passions – to take a look at where we are in our professional and personal lives..

There are various sites that can help us in this reflective task. . Some of these are free and others are not.

For example you can take MAPP at http://www.assessment.com or you can review your
results online! Simply logon using your email and password. And if you haven't used your free MAPP Match, take advantage of it at:
http://www.assessment.com/MemberCenter/Matching/Onet.asp

Listening in Relationship Building

There is an expression that says: “ Our creator gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason” This adage illustrates the significance of listening in human relationships, and particularly for career success.

Dale Carnegie from his book “ The Leader in You: How to Win Friends, Influence People and Succeed in a Changing World” provides these pearls of wisdom based on the power of listening in human relationship building. ( p. 92-93)

1- Listening is still the best way to learn.
2- People respond to those who listen to them
3- Listen patiently with an open mind.
4- Be sincere about it
5- Encourage people when you are listening to express their ideas fully.

And never forget this one he wrote”“ Nobody is more persuasive than a good listener.” Dale Carnegie…

The New Mountains to Climb of 2010

Mark Twain once said that “twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do !

And to put a more positive spin on Miley Cyrus’s recent song “The Climb”, there is always going to be a mountain to climb in our lives… new challenges … new treasures to uncover in people and in ourselves.

As we begin the adventurous expedition of the year 2010, maybe it is time to throw off the bowlines and sojourn away from the safe harbor of your current personal and professional life.

As we approach the New Year- 2010,is it the year to catch the trade winds in your sails? Explore?. Dream? Discover? Do you dare activate and actualize your passion by climbing the new mountains in your life and share the experience with others?

Are you ready to climb those new and challenging mountains in 2010?

The knowledge economy ... is it really our future?

Jeff Brownlee, spokesperson for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters , has commented that the future of manufacturing isn’t about mass production but customization. He emphasizes that businesses need to find their niche, then do it well and offer value add.

Instead of making one million mass produced items of questionable quality, you make 1000 products that are customized to your specifically targeted niche based on your research.

They say that the 21st century is all about the knowledge economy but Brownlee tends to think otherwise… “ At the end of the day, innovation and creativity are what sets us apart from other countries.”

Daniel Pink author of “ Free agent nation” and “A whole new mind: why right-brainers will rule the future” would most likely agree wholeheartedly with him.

What is Your Change Quotient? Resources

For more resources on 360 degrees Assessment and Self-Awareness:

1. Paul Copcutt—A personal branding expert: www.paulcopcutt.com .
2. Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton (2001)


I particularly recommend the book "Now, Discover Your Strengths" , because it provides an on-line code for the Strengthfinder- an assessment of your strengths/ potential talents.

You can also go to www.authentichappiness.com for a complimentary self-assessment.
3. Go Put Your Strengths to Work by Marcus Buckingham (2007)
4. One of the first books on this kind of feedback: 360 Degree Feedback: The Powerful New Model for Employee Assessment & Performance Improvement Mark R. Edwards and Ann J. Ewen. ( 1996)

What is Your Change Quotient?

Are you a driving force for Change? What is your tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty in your personal and professional life? If it is low, then it is time to work on increasing and developing your change quotient.

Can you cultivate a passion for the needed change? Can you make that tremendous effort to realize and actualize that Change? Is a passion for Change an subversive idea? Yes, indeed, you can ignite that fire within to make the changes you feel so strongly about.

Our current economic downturn means upheaval and revisions in the roles and responsibilities for companies/organizations. A significant impediment to Change is that you often hear and perceive only what you want to hear. Your auditory view of things is filtered and processed based on your own values, beliefs, prejudices, and personal history.

Behaviours that hinder embracing ambiguity and uncertainty act as blocking agents that can be touchy areas to deal with. The first step in this process of self-development for Change is creating and nurturing self-awareness. Your 360 degrees Assessment from your manager, boss, mentor or career coach can specifically target some of these behaviours.

Eccentricity and the 21st Century

Eccentricity is the key driver for the 21st century. What does being eccentric mean in this case? It represents standing out in a positive, professional manner from the competition- but don’t be ostentatious. Be different but be very good at what you do.

Innovation and creativity will set you apart from the competition and put you ahead in your career achievement milestones.