Friday I got a tweet very early in the morning, just as I was heading out to a 7 AM meeting across town. It said simply “What Do you do?” I sent of a quick note explaining with a link to my website and my number so the person could call me later if they wished. Grabbing my purse, I headed out to the car. As I was driving to my meeting with The Shea Group that question stayed on my mind.
The Shea Group is a collection of executives and business owners who understand that learning and career development is a lifelong process. Each time the group meets, a speaker shares their experience as part of the session. This time it was Jack W. Milligan of Leathers Milligan & Associates a long time veteran in the area of human resources and executive career management. Jack told us a story that really resonated with me. It went like this…
“This is a secret that only human resource professionals know. Hidden deep in every company, there is a special closet where they keep the silver bullets. On the day that you start, they will engrave your name on one. On the day that you leave you will get it back. They may shoot you with it, or they may hand it to you as they once did an engraved gold watch. But, that bullet is there and it has your name on it. It is up to you to be prepared.” Jack W. Milligan
Jack went on to share tips and techniques that every executive should be employing to manage their career both during employment and during the transition process that is sure to come at one time or another.
So today I decided to give some real thought to answering the question – What Do you do? Not just based on what someone might find on my resume or bio – which shows what I have done, but in terms of what I actively do and engage in and what I hope to bring to the next growing company I have the opportunity to lead.
My “What I do list”
- Engage employees and partners in our organization’s vision and with them develop a plan that delivers tangible results.
- Lead throughout the execution process by example. Never ask another to do something that I personally am not willing to do.
- Communicate openly and often on what is working, what needs work, and what is yet to be done. Use every appropriate platform – from public speaking, to writing, to informal chats to deliver the message.
- Listen to what our customers and our market has to say, learn from them, and put those lessons to work.
- Take forgotten or underutilized resources and redeploy them for added results
- Reach out to our community to offer assistance, share ideas, and keep our organization connected, engaged, and respected.
- Develop and mentor the people around me so that when my silver bullet comes, they can continue on the journey to find even greater success.
What’s on YOUR “What I do list”. It’s a great exercise – try it and see.
Thanks for stopping by. Stay Tuned…
Joan Koerber-Walker