....................................................................................................................................................................................

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Spring is my favorite time of the year. I love the fresh air, the sunshine and the newness of everything. It is a season when everything around us is in a growth mode. And that is exciting!

I find that I get more (and make more) calls for career advice this time of year. I encourage you to do the same. Explore your options and keep learning, growing and bettering yourself. This is the season to network, engage and dialog with people about your goals and aspirations. It is a great time to plant seeds, nurture relationships and make new connections.

As you plan for career development, remember one thing-it's not who you know, it's about who knows you, and what they know about you! So, plan accordingly. Do things that will get you known for your abilities and talents. Do special projects that improve the way you work-volunteer your time and make a positive impact on those around you-in short, get visible!

Last month, I was getting ready to call it a day, when the phone rang. I looked at my caller ID and saw that it was someone I had mentored several years ago (whom I will call Nancy).

Nancy is a bright, rising leader in her company. She had received two promotions in the past six years and was assertively seeking to go to the next level. Nancy had recently posted for several positions in her company and received feedback that she was not selected because she was perceived as not being ready. Puzzled and disappointed, she called me to find out what she should do. Here is how the conversation went.

Nancy- "For the past six months, I have posted for three positions. I made it to the final round of interviews, but, got turned down for all three jobs. They felt that I was not ready. But, I know I am. I just don't know how to convince people that I have what it takes. When I look at the people who were selected, I feel that they have just as much experience as I do. What am I doing wrong? I am so frustrated! "

Lata - "Have you asked them for specific feedback as to why they think you are not ready?"

Nancy - "Yes, they said I needed more experience leading and motivating people. But how do I get that type of experience, when they won't give me that opportunity? The people that got selected didn't have formal experience either. They are at the same level I am. So why did they get the job and I didn't?"

Lata - "I think that's the wrong question, Nancy. I think the real question is "how did they demonstrate that they had the skills required to lead and motivate people when they did not formally manage a team?"

Nancy - "Yes, exactly! How did they do that?"

Lata - "Well, that's the question I would like for you to think about. Carry it as an inquiry and not as a judgment about you or them. Then notice what you might have noticed before. Talk to people, gather information and see what answers show up as a result.

Nancy - "o.k. but, is that it?"

Lata - "Yes, that's it for now. There's no magic formula. But...asking the right question allows you to reframe the situation, get good information, and move forward in a positive way. Asking the wrong question will get you stuck, frustrated and angry. Try it and let me know what you find out."

Over the course of two weeks, Nancy found out things about the people that had gotten the positions that she was not aware of. When she called me back to follow up, she was amazed at how that one question reframed her whole way of thinking.

Here is what she found out:

The people selected for the positions demonstrated both leadership and motivational skills on the job as well as in outside community initiatives that they were involved with. They were able to clearly articulate what they did and how it applied to the job they were interviewing for. Senior leaders were already aware of the accomplishments these people had made from direct observation, hearsay, or references from others. They had a good reputation among their peers, managers, and colleagues.

Once Nancy had reframed her perspective of the situation in a positive way, she was able to put a plan together to fill in the missing gaps.

Creating visibility and the right reputation is not easy. It takes a lot of work, reflection and the willingness to make mistakes. It also requires that you reach out to mentors, friends and peers for advice.

When you can authentically and genuinely communicate how you have developed skills for a particular job, and have been communicating and showing results to the people that need to know, the likely hood of you reaching your career goals are very high! So, get out there and make it happen!

I hope to see you around. Please be sure to review our up-coming calendar--we have some great events coming up. Have a great spring!

Regards,

Lata Chawla
WICT NE President