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It was a bright sunny August afternoon in San Francisco. I was sitting outside my favorite restaurant, the sweet aroma of spices and food being cooked was making me restless. More so, I was anxious (and excited) to see a good old friend of mine from B-School. Its been 7 years since I last saw him or heard from him. Its unbelievable considering there was a time when we spoke every few hours, connected for long chats every few weeks and took several trips together every few months. Life was good and then I believe Life happened. Between work and family, marriage and kids, anxiety and ambitions, hobbies and skills, health and money, weekends and weekdays; we both got busy and our interaction frequency decreased.
John was a poster child of our B-School class of 2004, ambitious, smart, highly capable, business mindset, master networker, great influencer and communicator. He was the kind of guy who would go to any company and make a name for himself and he did for the first 10 years of his career.
While I was reminiscing the past, I lifted my head up sensing someone approach the table and saw John walking towards me. I couldn't resist getting up with a smile on my face. I didn't forget the ritual - a firm handshake followed by a man hug. It felt the same but something was different. John looked different, showed signs of accelerated aging, had put on weight, his face was dull and his energy level was not the same. Something was off. I asked him “How are things?” and he responded, “Should we order something to drink?” - a question for a question, very unlike John as if he didn't want to answer the question. I said “Fine” thinking I need to allow time for him to settle in the conversation. It was John who approached me and requested to meet, something I would never refuse given how deep our friendship is (or was). We finally broke ice - John said, Mark, “I am stuck in my career”. I said, “What do you mean?”. It was an answer I didn't expect at least from a person like John who was driven and in-charge.
Post B-School John joined a high profile consulting firm, “A Dream Job”, where he advised “C” suite clients on issues ranging from growth strategy, finance effectiveness, cost take-out and Mergers & Acquisitions. He was one of the smartest in his consulting class He was sought after by clients and company leaders for his advise and insights. He did very well - bagging promotions every 2-3 years accompanied by financial rewards. Life was indeed good. I recall the high-flyer John who was in three cities in a week - wining and dining with the who's who of Corporate America. Finally after 7 years of consulting, John got an offer from a major technology giant - an offer that you say you couldn't refuse. Change did bring excitement - to deliver the strategy with execution in his new role. However, life in industry was different, the pace was different, the progression expectations were different which made John nervous.
By nature of his affiliation with the consulting industry, John seemed to know only one playbook, to move his career in one direction - forward or up. John preferred speed over velocity, progression over stagnation, and material success over holistic success. He was constantly evaluating and there were times when he had that sinking feeling exacerbated by fears and anxiety about career and job. The classic “What if syndrome?” , “Is my career going nowhere?”, “ Is everyone getting ahead?”, “ What am I doing wrong?”, “Should I work harder?”, “Where should I start?”, “Is job change the right move?”, “Should I look for opportunities internally or externally?”
These feelings were further aggravated when he stumbled upon LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media profiles of class mates, colleagues and relationships. That classmate who took twice as long to finish a test in school and was struggling to graduate is now an executive. That neighbor of his is working her own business. That ex-colleague has changed three jobs and appears to be happy. The comparison never stopped. Now John was in a spiral, that made him more anxious and fearful of his skills, abilities and ultimate future.
He was not alone. Eighty-five percent of workers worldwide admit to job insecurity and dissatisfaction when surveyed anonymously, according to a Gallup poll released last year. While there could be several reasons for job dissatisfaction and career stagnation, the question John never asked (like those 85%) was “What does he really want?” And that has to be a broader question - not just focused on career success but life success.
Before John starts to get in action mode (as he always does), I suggested him to introspect and evaluate 5 key factors to determine what's next for him with in or outside his current organization, role or job position. Ready to put pen to paper? I asked John and there he nodded and I began -
First, take a hard look at yourself. Get in the zone and think about Who you are? What are your values? What has been your journey? How you got where you got to? Who (and what) shaped you? Why are you dissatisfied? The objective is to understand yourself, get to the core and learn from your successes and failures. Believe me, it's going to be the hard and painful at first but you'll feel liberated once you cross this chasm.
Second, start to focus on your strengths and passions. What do you like? When are you at your best? Which situations / outcomes make you happy? What type of people you enjoy the most (and why)? What jobs or roles were you in when you felt energetic? The ultimate aim is to play to your strengths. No one has ever won solely by improving their weaknesses. It's important to be honest with yourself and not bring financial rewards in the mix.
Third, look around you and list your non negotiable responsibilities. This is sheer practical thinking. Do you have a student loan to pay? Do you have a mortgage? Are you supporting your family? How about ageing parents that you have to support? Have you made commitment to pay for your children's college? While it's easy to steer yourself and follow your passion, it's always advised to take a practical approach. Weigh the pros and cons of current situation and your planned future.
Fourth, communicate your desire and intentions to the world. Have you spoken to your significant other on what you want to do? Have you expressed yourself to your family and friends? Have you reached out to your second / third degree connections? Are you in touch with your ex-colleagues or classmates and expressed your ideas? Do you have a mentor or coach? The reason it is very important is because no one has done it alone. You need to have a support group to help achieve your goals. As Paulo Coelho quotes in The Alchemist “And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Fifth and last, one of my favorite quotes is “Vision without execution is hallucination”. It sums it all. It's all about execution. Have you made a plan? Have you defined an approach? Are you methodical and organized? How much time you are going to commit each day, each week to focus on improving your career situation? It's not unnatural to spend 10-15 hours each week identifying opportunities, learning about roles, researching companies and practicing your pitch.
Once you get through these five steps, you are already much ahead of where you were standing. It's a cliche “Well begun is half done” but it matters in having a fulfilling career.
John was very surprised in the clarity of coaching he got. For the first time he smiled and said “Mark, like always, are you available to help me through this journey? Could you be my coach?”, I said to John “I have one weakness that I must admit - I can't refuse to you. I will be glad to be your coach”. It was time to leave, we were both refreshed, 7 years were long , a lot had changed and a new chapter had begun in our relationship. An hour later I got a text from John - “Hi Mark - Thanks for everything. You haven't changed and you are still a great coach”. I responded to him “ Hi John - You are welcome. Here's your first reading “The Coach in the Operating Room”. More assignments coming your way” and he responded with a smiley.
Questions - visit us on www.careershakers.com
John was a poster child of our B-School class of 2004, ambitious, smart, highly capable, business mindset, master networker, great influencer and communicator. He was the kind of guy who would go to any company and make a name for himself and he did for the first 10 years of his career.
While I was reminiscing the past, I lifted my head up sensing someone approach the table and saw John walking towards me. I couldn't resist getting up with a smile on my face. I didn't forget the ritual - a firm handshake followed by a man hug. It felt the same but something was different. John looked different, showed signs of accelerated aging, had put on weight, his face was dull and his energy level was not the same. Something was off. I asked him “How are things?” and he responded, “Should we order something to drink?” - a question for a question, very unlike John as if he didn't want to answer the question. I said “Fine” thinking I need to allow time for him to settle in the conversation. It was John who approached me and requested to meet, something I would never refuse given how deep our friendship is (or was). We finally broke ice - John said, Mark, “I am stuck in my career”. I said, “What do you mean?”. It was an answer I didn't expect at least from a person like John who was driven and in-charge.
Post B-School John joined a high profile consulting firm, “A Dream Job”, where he advised “C” suite clients on issues ranging from growth strategy, finance effectiveness, cost take-out and Mergers & Acquisitions. He was one of the smartest in his consulting class He was sought after by clients and company leaders for his advise and insights. He did very well - bagging promotions every 2-3 years accompanied by financial rewards. Life was indeed good. I recall the high-flyer John who was in three cities in a week - wining and dining with the who's who of Corporate America. Finally after 7 years of consulting, John got an offer from a major technology giant - an offer that you say you couldn't refuse. Change did bring excitement - to deliver the strategy with execution in his new role. However, life in industry was different, the pace was different, the progression expectations were different which made John nervous.
By nature of his affiliation with the consulting industry, John seemed to know only one playbook, to move his career in one direction - forward or up. John preferred speed over velocity, progression over stagnation, and material success over holistic success. He was constantly evaluating and there were times when he had that sinking feeling exacerbated by fears and anxiety about career and job. The classic “What if syndrome?” , “Is my career going nowhere?”, “ Is everyone getting ahead?”, “ What am I doing wrong?”, “Should I work harder?”, “Where should I start?”, “Is job change the right move?”, “Should I look for opportunities internally or externally?”
These feelings were further aggravated when he stumbled upon LinkedIn, Facebook and other social media profiles of class mates, colleagues and relationships. That classmate who took twice as long to finish a test in school and was struggling to graduate is now an executive. That neighbor of his is working her own business. That ex-colleague has changed three jobs and appears to be happy. The comparison never stopped. Now John was in a spiral, that made him more anxious and fearful of his skills, abilities and ultimate future.
He was not alone. Eighty-five percent of workers worldwide admit to job insecurity and dissatisfaction when surveyed anonymously, according to a Gallup poll released last year. While there could be several reasons for job dissatisfaction and career stagnation, the question John never asked (like those 85%) was “What does he really want?” And that has to be a broader question - not just focused on career success but life success.
Before John starts to get in action mode (as he always does), I suggested him to introspect and evaluate 5 key factors to determine what's next for him with in or outside his current organization, role or job position. Ready to put pen to paper? I asked John and there he nodded and I began -
First, take a hard look at yourself. Get in the zone and think about Who you are? What are your values? What has been your journey? How you got where you got to? Who (and what) shaped you? Why are you dissatisfied? The objective is to understand yourself, get to the core and learn from your successes and failures. Believe me, it's going to be the hard and painful at first but you'll feel liberated once you cross this chasm.
Second, start to focus on your strengths and passions. What do you like? When are you at your best? Which situations / outcomes make you happy? What type of people you enjoy the most (and why)? What jobs or roles were you in when you felt energetic? The ultimate aim is to play to your strengths. No one has ever won solely by improving their weaknesses. It's important to be honest with yourself and not bring financial rewards in the mix.
Third, look around you and list your non negotiable responsibilities. This is sheer practical thinking. Do you have a student loan to pay? Do you have a mortgage? Are you supporting your family? How about ageing parents that you have to support? Have you made commitment to pay for your children's college? While it's easy to steer yourself and follow your passion, it's always advised to take a practical approach. Weigh the pros and cons of current situation and your planned future.
Fourth, communicate your desire and intentions to the world. Have you spoken to your significant other on what you want to do? Have you expressed yourself to your family and friends? Have you reached out to your second / third degree connections? Are you in touch with your ex-colleagues or classmates and expressed your ideas? Do you have a mentor or coach? The reason it is very important is because no one has done it alone. You need to have a support group to help achieve your goals. As Paulo Coelho quotes in The Alchemist “And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
Fifth and last, one of my favorite quotes is “Vision without execution is hallucination”. It sums it all. It's all about execution. Have you made a plan? Have you defined an approach? Are you methodical and organized? How much time you are going to commit each day, each week to focus on improving your career situation? It's not unnatural to spend 10-15 hours each week identifying opportunities, learning about roles, researching companies and practicing your pitch.
Once you get through these five steps, you are already much ahead of where you were standing. It's a cliche “Well begun is half done” but it matters in having a fulfilling career.
John was very surprised in the clarity of coaching he got. For the first time he smiled and said “Mark, like always, are you available to help me through this journey? Could you be my coach?”, I said to John “I have one weakness that I must admit - I can't refuse to you. I will be glad to be your coach”. It was time to leave, we were both refreshed, 7 years were long , a lot had changed and a new chapter had begun in our relationship. An hour later I got a text from John - “Hi Mark - Thanks for everything. You haven't changed and you are still a great coach”. I responded to him “ Hi John - You are welcome. Here's your first reading “The Coach in the Operating Room”. More assignments coming your way” and he responded with a smiley.
Questions - visit us on www.careershakers.com