You are in charge of the success or failure of your career. There are some proven tools that will help you. I’m going to give you four steps to rock your career. Those steps are to build your leadership muscles, brand yourself, build your network, and find balance
developing authentic leadership, Too many people say, I’ll learn leadership skills when I become a manager That day isn’t going to come if you aren’t building those skills. Here are a few easy ways to build your leadership skills now: Lead a committee- you get to manage people and often financial resources Join a nonprofit board-MAP for nonprofits? Mentor someone else Stretch assignments (look up definition in book)
Have them report back
I’m doing a session just on this for the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, this Friday at noon MNCN- you’ll get the condensed version here. Most jobs are found informally and the strength of your network can be the deciding factor for jobs (10 people say good things about this person in passing, vs the one reference) Attend conferences, do informational interviews, join professional associations (or volunteer to get into their events for free), start your own network (Fab 5 + fundraising group)
Have them report back
Have them report back
Branding yourself You already have a brand, it’s what people say about you when you aren’t in the room. Consistency, clarity, and authenticity are the holy trinity of a great brand What are the words that they say: see cloud The good thing is that you have control of your brand Proactive things you can do: Places you can strengthen your brand: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook (isn’t ever just personal, ask school board member), Brand isn’t just online, it’s how you present yourself in person as well. How do you talk about yourself and your position- Hi I’m just here to take notes or I’m Jane and I manage internal communications. (have them do their intro with their neighbor and report back a few) It’s not always about how you describe your position, sometimes it how you describe yourself. (She would end sentences with “sorry, I’m socially awkward”) Don’t do that!
Have them report back
Last but not least none of this matters, if you are miserable and don’t have balance, you will burn out and all the progress that you have made from following the other steps will be lost. So here are some ideas: Work side: -Remember what made you fall in love with your job in the first place, visit clients, check out the sales floor, read stories of people that have been impacted by your work. Keep a file of thank you’s (a great reminder of the best parts of your job) -Cut out the habits that aren’t helping you (gossip sites, fantasy football team updates) More time for what’s important Home: Unvolunteer- if you have responsibilities that no longer fit your goals or where you are not having a large enough impact… stop. Hire a wife Do some planning to figure out what your bigger life and work goals are- you’ll feel more in control of your life
Have them report back
Last but not least none of this matters, if you are miserable and don’t have balance, you will burn out and all the progress that you have made from following the other steps will be lost. So here are some ideas: Work side: -Remember what made you fall in love with your job in the first place, visit clients, check out the sales floor, read stories of people that have been impacted by your work. Keep a file of thank you’s (a great reminder of the best parts of your job) -Cut out the habits that aren’t helping you (gossip sites, fantasy football team updates) More time for what’s important Home: Unvolunteer- if you have responsibilities that no longer fit your goals or where you are not having a large enough impact… stop. Hire a wife Do some planning to figure out what your bigger life and work goals are- you’ll feel more in control of your life