As one would imagine, the volume of incoming resumes from candidates who've recently lost their jobs has increased dramatically. The sheer number is disappointingly remarkable. A large number of those requests for help come with a request to meet with me to get advice about what to do next. Unfortunately, the realities of time and the necessity to stay focused on searches in progress generally makes those meetings impossible. I wish there was more I could do.
In the spirit of trying to do more and keep some perspective on all this, I'm sending along some thoughts from Tom Peters, a renowned author, speaker and management consultant. It's simple and straightforward, yet in my opinion perfectly on target. These are thoughts principally for those who still have their job, but the principal remains the same, job or no job . . . that principal is "work harder and work smarter"!
recession." I try to appear wise and informed—and parade original,
sophisticated thoughts. But if you want to know what's going through my
head, read the list below:
You work longer.
You work harder.
You may well work for less; and, if so, you adapt to the untoward
circumstances with a smile—even if it kills you inside.
You volunteer to do more.
You always bring a good attitude to work.
You fake it if your good attitude flags.
You literally practice your "game face" in the mirror in the morning,
and in the loo mid-morning.
You shrug off shit that flows downhill in your direction—buy a shovel or
a "pre-worn" raincoat on eBay.
You get there earlier.
You leave later.
You forget about "the good old days"—nostalgia is for wimps.
You buck yourself up with the thought that "this too shall pass"—but
then remind yourself that it might not pass anytime soon, so you
re-dedicate yourself to making the absolute best of what you have now.
You eschew all forms of personal excess.
You simplify.
You sweat the details as you never have before.
You sweat the details as you never have before.
You sweat the details as you never have before.
You raise to the sky the standards of excellence by which you evaluate
your own performance.
You thank others by the truckload if good things happen—and take the
heat yourself if bad things happen.
You behave kindly, but you don't sugarcoat or hide the truth—humans are
startlingly resilient.
You treat small successes as if they were Superbowl victories—and
celebrate and commend accordingly.
You shrug off the losses (ignoring what's going on inside your tummy),
and get back on the horse and try again.
You avoid negative people to the extent you can—pollution kills.
You eventually read the gloom-sprayers the riot act.
You learn new tricks of your trade.
You network like a demon.
You help others with their issues.
You give new meaning to the word "thoughtful."
You redouble, re-triple your efforts to "walk in your customer's shoes."
(Especially if the shoes smell.)
You mind your manners—and accept others' lack of manners in the face of
their strains.
You are kind to all mankind.
You leave the blame game at the office door.
You become a paragon of accountability.
And then you pray."
[This post sent to you from the business lounge aboard the M/S Star,
enroute Tallinn to Helsinki—and fully wired, or, rather, wireless, at Sea,
crossing the Gulf of Finland.]
[The list is also available in PowerPoint
<http://www.tompeters.com/slides/uploaded/Recession_secrets_032609B.ppt>
.—CM]
Tom has a way of making it seem so simple and so "common sense". I had some additional thoughts on this subject in a previous post called "Are You Indispensable or Vulnerable?". We're all in this together and need to support each other as we navigate these waters. While in some ways we all have the feeling there's nothing we can do, the reality is that we can do a better job of what we do have control over. If you haven't already, the time to start is now!