Right Attitudes

Ideas for Impact

Winning on the Job

Time to Speak Up, Not Suck Up, to an Overbearing Boss

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Time to Speak Up, Not Suck Up, to an Overbearing Boss When your boss starts offloading personal tasks—like running errands or booking his next vacation—it can really blur the lines between work and personal life. It feels like your time and effort aren’t being respected, and you might not want to keep doing these things.

Sure, helping out now and then, like picking up his dry cleaning or grabbing his morning Starbucks, is fine if it helps you stay in his good graces. But let’s be real—there’s a limit. If he starts piling on excessive or downright demeaning requests, like managing his personal complaints or apologizing on his behalf, it’s time to set some boundaries.

People who constantly accommodate end up being seen as doormats. So, next time your boss asks for something outside your job description, calmly explain that while you want to be helpful, this request is beyond what’s reasonable. It might be daunting, especially if you haven’t been respected in the past, but it’s crucial to stand up for yourself and set clear limits without losing your cool.

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The Career-Altering Question: Generalist or Specialist?

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The Crucial Career Decision: Should You Become a Specialist or a Generalist? Is it better to be a generalist or a specialist at work? You’ll face this choice about six to ten years into your career. Should you broaden your skills or narrow your focus?

Generalists are versatile professionals with moderate experience across various fields. They excel in roles like management and project coordination, allowing them to see the big picture. Their adaptability opens diverse job opportunities and helps build a vast network. In fast-paced environments, generalists are invaluable.

On the other hand, specialists dive deep into a particular area. They acquire expertise that surpasses most others, focusing intensely on their topics. This depth of knowledge earns them recognition and demand. Specialists often enjoy higher salaries and are crucial for organizations requiring specific skills.

'Range Why Generalists Triumph' by David Epstein (ISBN 0735214484) David Epstein’s Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (2019,) argues that generalists thrive long-term due to their broad skill set, which enhances adaptability. Specialists, however, contend that deep knowledge is necessary for driving progress. In a strong workplace, both roles are essential. Generalists rely on specialists, and specialists benefit from generalists. Together, they effectively solve problems.

Ultimately, your choice depends on your career goals. Decide what aligns with your strengths and aspirations. A balanced approach can be effective: start as a generalist, as most do at the beginning, exploring your industry without knowing what you don’t know. This exploration helps identify your interests and strengths. By six to ten years in, refine your focus and zero in on a path that resonates with your passions. After that, specialize in what truly inspires you. However, as you advance in a company, you may need to shift back to generalism, as managing multiple domains often requires this flexibility.

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Beyond Money’s Grasp: A Deeper Drive to Success

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Beyond Money's Grasp: A Deeper Drive to Success

Successful individuals often find themselves driven to excel long after the allure of material rewards has waned. In the early stages of a career, financial concerns often take center stage. Young professionals are preoccupied with using disposable income to repay student loans, cover daily expenses, engage in some indulgent spending, and lay the foundation for financial stability. As their careers progress, however, there’s a noticeable shift in the importance of money. This transformation varies among individuals, but nearly everyone reaches a point where the stress of bills and even luxury desires diminishes, only to be supplanted by a need for what sociologists call psychic income.

For the ultra-successful, wealth accrues at a pace that outpaces practical spending. Their life becomes abundant, yet paradoxically, time feels limited. They have the means to pursue their passions but lack the time to do so. What truly captivates these successful people are factors that transcend monetary gain. Inspiration is fueled by ego, a sense of passion, and personal fulfillment—it thrives on the stimulation of challenges and the sheer joy of the journey. Success is rooted in a sense of mastery, achievement, and making a meaningful impact.

For those still on the path to success, a valuable lesson emerges: what many successful people value about their careers when they’re already successful mirrors the same qualities they sought throughout their professional journey. When climbing the corporate ladder, they didn’t gravitate toward safe, high-paying positions. Instead, they pursued challenging opportunities, and these ventures proved to be profoundly rewarding.

Idea for Impact: Success is a complex and personal concept, shaped by a blend of factors that align with one’s values and aspirations. Once you’re no longer a slave to the coin’s cruel reign, you’ll discover the true wellsprings of inspiration—an invitation to a richer and more purpose-driven existence.

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The Myth of Passion

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The Myth of Passion at Work: Passion Can Burn Bright, but it's Fickle and Rarely Lasts A common piece of advice from successful folks is to “find your passion,” but that idea is misguided, as I’ve pointed out before. Sure, passion can burn bright, but it’s fickle and rarely lasts. The more you chase after it, the unhappier you become when your job isn’t perfect. An idealized version of work is hard to come by, and when reality doesn’t match up, disappointment kicks in, often leading to burnout. Plus, people driven by passion often struggle with repetitive tasks, seeing them as boring and resisting work that doesn’t fit their idea of passion.

Idea for Impact: The key to job satisfaction lies in finding work that is moderately challenging—difficult enough to engage you without being frustrating, yet not so easy that it becomes mind-numbing. Pick something you enjoy and that you’re decent at. Seriously, only a toddler expects to be keyed up all the time!

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How to … Identify your Strengths

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How to ... Identify your Strengths Identifying your strengths involves some self-reflection, feedback, and a bit of exploration:

  • Tune into the buzz. Ask colleagues, friends, and family when they’ve seen you at your best. Don’t shy away from your toughest critics; their feedback often highlights how your skills truly shine.
  • Spot what feels effortless. What tasks come naturally to you while others struggle? Reflect on the skills you use to tackle challenges with ease.
  • Track what makes time fly and energizes you. What activities have you so engrossed that you lose track of time? Which roles or tasks make you feel alive and engaged? If you’re in school, think about the subjects you ace.

By piecing together these clues, you’ll uncover your core strengths and turn them into your secret weapons for success.

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How to … Declutter Your Organizational Ship

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Ditch Tradition: Decluttering for a Brighter Future One phrase I’ve grown to detest in my professional life is, “We do it this way because we’ve always done it this way.” Some things just don’t make sense anymore. Many organizations find themselves burdened with outdated rules, processes, and traditions that are no longer relevant. It’s high time to shed these relics of the past and embrace a more agile and responsive approach.

  • Gain a Fresh Perspective. Sometimes, we’re too close to the forest to see the trees, and the truth remains hidden. To break free from the status quo, imagine yourself as an outsider and challenge the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.
  • Involve Everyone. Liberating your organization from wasteful bureaucracy is a group effort. Each of us must simplify, cut through complexity, and shed unnecessary formalities. It’s how you sculpt a responsive and agile organization, one step at a time.
  • Ditch the Unnecessary. Examine your procedures, customs, and requirements. Are you holding on to outdated practices simply because they’ve always been there? It’s time to unravel these mysteries of tradition and revamp or remove habits that no longer serve us.
  • Supercharge Decision-Making. When decisions take forever or procedures become too convoluted to comprehend, it’s a sign of trouble. It’s time to band together, reinvigorate your approach, and simplify for a brighter future.

Idea for Impact: Shed Your Old Skin and Adapt

Don’t let tradition and outdated regulations hold back your future success. Break free from the chains of bureaucracy and embrace agility and flexibility.

A culture that discourages change stifles innovation and opportunity. To cultivate a culture that welcomes and supports change, lead by example and eliminate negative attitudes. It’s time to set sail towards a more adaptable and prosperous future.

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Get Started, Passion Comes Later: A Case Study of Chipotle’s Founder, Steve Ells

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Get Started, Passion Comes Later The notion of directly pursuing your passion can seem daunting, particularly if you’re uncertain about identifying your true calling or how it could translate into a feasible career path. The tale of Chipotle and its founder Steve Ells serves as a fitting illustration of this dilemma.

After graduating from arts college, Ells headed to the Culinary Institute of America, where he fell in love with cooking. Initially, he dreamed of opening a fancy restaurant, but the funds weren’t there.

During the early 1990s, Ells embarked on a culinary journey, starting as a sous chef under renowned chef Jeremiah Towers at San Francisco’s upscale Stars restaurant. It was during this time that the idea for Chipotle began to take shape. Inspired by the delectable “mission-style” burritos he savored in San Francisco’s Mission District taquerias, Ells seized the opportunity. With an $85,000 loan from his father, he ventured to establish the inaugural Chipotle eatery in 1993, nestled in Denver, Colorado.

Ells’s father, crunching the numbers, estimated that his son would need to sell 107 burritos daily to break even. However, the response exceeded expectations. Within the inaugural month, Chipotle was churning out 1,000 burritos a day. This swift success unveiled Ells’s true calling. He realized his passion lay not in haute cuisine but in the realm of delivering delectable, freshly-prepared Mexican fare swiftly. Chipotle garnered a devoted following for its scrumptious offerings, rapid service, and unwavering commitment to sustainable sourcing.

Idea for Impact: Starting with an exploratory approach is often wiser than waiting for the perfect alignment with your passion. Dabble in different areas, adapt your goals over time, and stay open to new opportunities. Sometimes, passion emerges along the journey, leading to unexpected yet fulfilling paths.

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The Motivational Force of Hating to Lose

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The Motivational Force of Hating to Lose Success isn’t always driven by our love for winning; at times, it’s our aversion to losing that truly powers us. This ‘hating to lose’ mentality can be a remarkable motivator and educator, surpassing the pull of victory.

Think of it in this light: the fear of losing can act as the spark that ignites an unyielding determination, compelling teams to work harder, instill discipline, and persevere through life’s most formidable challenges. Over time, this tireless effort solidifies their unwavering focus on their objectives, even when faced with the harshest trials.

Idea for Impact: While the allure of victory undeniably exerts a magnetic pull, it’s the dread of defeat that complements it, injecting urgency and tenacity into your team’s endeavors.

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What’s Next When You Get Snubbed for a Promotion

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What's the Plan After Being Overlooked for a Promotion? Feeling passed over for a promotion hits hard, but how you handle it makes all the difference.

Sure, you might want to unleash some frustration on your boss or resort to sticking pins in a voodoo doll resembling them.

Set a Clear Path to Reach Your Career Goals

Take a breather and allow yourself to recover from the setback, but don’t let self-pity take control. It’s normal to experience moments of low spirits, but ensure it doesn’t evolve into an ongoing cycle of self-pity.

Circle back to your boss and ask straight up, “What do I need to do for that next promotion?” Keep it simple. Collaborate on a plan. If you’re lucky, you’ll both be on the same page, paving the way for future success.

Your boss might promise to make things right, but don’t get your hopes up. Companies, especially HR, have a reputation for dropping the ball.

Get Advice from a Supportive Mentor

A supportive mentor brings valuable perspective, insight, and guidance to help navigate the situation constructively. They might suggest that perhaps you weren’t quite ready for that promotion, or maybe you pushed too hard or inadvertently rubbed someone the wrong way.

Alternatively, it could be that the right people simply haven’t noticed you yet. Building key relationships is crucial for climbing the career ladder, so investing time in nurturing those connections is essential advice your mentor might offer.

If you’re feeling stuck, it might be time to explore other options, especially if your current job isn’t aligning with your long-term career goals. But remember, jumping ship isn’t always the quick fix. Dealing with promotion issues or performance setbacks in a familiar environment can be easier than starting anew, where you have to prove yourself from scratch and navigate new dynamics.

Idea for Impact: Own Your Path to Promotion

There’s a big difference between not getting what you want and not getting what you’ve earned. When you’re aiming for something but haven’t secured it yet, it’s up to you to figure out the steps needed to make it happen.

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From Passion to Pragmatism: An Acceptable, Good Career

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From Passion to Pragmatism: An Acceptable, Good Career Career contentment doesn’t always require turning passion into a full-time job. (Dream careers often bring fierce competition and potential low pay or high stress.)

Many fulfilled professionals find contentment in roles they may not love entirely, but they value meaningful work, recognition, fair compensation, and a pleasant environment. Some discover situational passion within their work by aligning job tasks with their interests and strengths. For example, a passion for graphic design when in a manufacturing role can lead to creating visually appealing digital metrics.

Idea for Impact: Opting for a acceptable, tolerable even, content-filled career allows you to pursue passions as hobbies while ensuring financial security and professional contentment.

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  2. The Myth of Passion
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  5. Don’t Use Personality Assessments to Sort the Talented from the Less Talented