Category: career coach

The Old School Community (a.k.a. Community 1.0)

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Back in the day, before technology existed there was community. The internet has globalized our capability to connect to people, but there is power in the origin of localized communities. Let’s talk about the benefits & how to create an authentic community from scratch:

Relationships – Communities grow organically. It starts one conversation at a time and builds from there. The idea of networking birthed from relationships. If we treat building our personal network based on forming relationships, connecting is much easier. Social media, Skype & cell phones are great, but nothing beats a face to face conversation. This generation is losing its ability to communicate effectively in person, because we don’t practice enough. Relationships are the core of community. 

Resources – Communities are your referral network. Be willing to ask, “How can I help you?” without expecting anything in return. Everything you need can come from your community. A true community wants to freely give because it cares for the whole, not just the individual. For example, small businesses are the engine to revitalizing our economy, if we choose to invest locally.  

Small Groups – Within a community, conversations happen in a smaller setting. Small groups are the unit for transformation. They are the bridge between the individual and the larger group. Think about how cliques normally form. There’s nothing wrong with cliques as long as they are inclusive. Instead of meeting in the same group of 4 to 6, interchange people and start conversations with people you don’t know as well. Conversations bond and before you know it, your inner circle widens.

Local is the new global. Provide live events as a means to build community. People are hungry to connect and the best place to do that is within a community. Find a common purpose and create meaningful tasks that bond. Technology will never surpass human connections. Community takes time to grow, but when in full bloom it’s a beautiful thing. So what community will you help build?

Be Willing to Be Uncomfortable

Scott Asai2 Comments
Everyone knows what it feels like to be uncomfortable. It’s a not a great feeling, but sometimes it’s a good thing. In order to grow, we have to put ourselves in position to be uncomfortable. Not easy, but how else will we try new things? Let me give you a couple of examples from my own life that might better illustrate this point:
I’m impatient. I hate waiting. This past month my wife and I were in Hawaii for a friend’s wedding. If you’ve ever driven in Hawaii, you know they drive much slower than in L.A. On our way from the airport to the house we were staying in, cars were traveling at 35 mph (with no traffic ahead). At first, I had to contain myself from swearing and passing them on the shoulder of the road. After a couple of days, I got used to the pace (although I prefer to move faster) and it didn’t bother me as much. Nothing changed, only my response to the situation.
I like to be in control. I wouldn’t consider myself type A, but I do like to plan. Normally, I schedule everything a week in advance. I’m not much into surprises, I’d rather know what to expect. In fact, I usually like visiting somewhere the second time more than the first, so I can plan where to stop and what to eat. My wife is the exact opposite. She’s very spontaneous, more adventurous and would rather not have plans, but decide in the moment. Over the 12 years we’ve known each other, I’ve learned to compromise. I still prefer to know what’s going on, but I’m much more flexible now.
In both examples used, the circumstances didn’t change, I did. Sometimes we beat our head against the wall because the world doesn’t see things through our lens. Meanwhile we miss being present and make it less enjoyable for those around us. Part of growth is being able to look back at yourself and laugh. For me, learning to be more patient and flexible will only help me in the future. It’s not about losing authenticity, but maturing in character. I’ll still struggle in the areas I mentioned above, but I’m aware of it and will purposely put myself in situations that are uncomfortable because I know it’s good for me. 

So what about you? What makes you uncomfortable? How would putting yourself in uncomfortable situations benefit you in the future? Your desire to grow will determine your next move.

The Applicant and the 3 Resume Piles

Scott Asai2 Comments
Have you ever wondered what your chances of landing a job are when applying? As an applicant, there are 3 piles your application/resume can fall into. Based on what category you’re in, determines your chances of getting hired. Let’s take a deeper look:
Pile #1: Not Qualified – You lack the experience and educational requirements for the position. Once you apply, you’re hoping for a shot, but you really don’t stand a chance. You never hear back from the employer because they saw your lack of qualifications and threw your application and resume away. 
Chances of landing the job: 0 – 5%
Pile #2: Qualified – You meet the experience and education requirements for the job. Most applications fall into this category. You’re looking for a position that fits your current background. Your resume is impressive and you feel your chances of landing the job are pretty good. The only problem is there are others with similar backgrounds and they know someone within the company. 
Chances of landing the the job: 30 – 40%

Pile #3: Know/Referred by Someone Within the Company – Here you stand the best chance of becoming employed. You want to believe we live in a objective world, but you don’t. Who you know is more important than what you know. There may even be a few requirements you don’t meet, but if you have a friend inside the organization vouch for you, all is waived. Human subjectivity rules, so when applying for a job try to get the inside track from someone you know. Trust me, the screening process works like this. 
Chances of landing the job: 70 – 80%

The power of your personal network is huge! The three piles are similar to cold, warm and hot leads. You should always start with your best chance for success. Next time you apply for a job, think about the three piles and where your chances lie. In today’s economy, this can save you time and stress by increasing your chances for employment. Good luck and happy hunting!

Snoop Blog

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If you’ve watched TV, searched the internet or gone shopping lately, chances are Snoop Dogg promoted one of the products you’ve seen. Would you consider him a master of self-promotion? Personal branding guru? Regardless, here are 3 ways you and I can learn from his business ways…
Get comfortable with promoting yourself. You are gifted with unique talents, but the question is do others know? You could be a great coach, artist or teacher, but if no one knows, your talents are being wasted. Focus on your strengths and figure out what gifts you can share with others. Keep developing and evolving. Practice may not make perfect, but it definitely makes you better. Don’t be afraid to share with the world how you can make a difference.
Shout-outs. Thank those who are helping you. Whether it’s public or private, just make sure it is genuine. Nothing great is accomplished alone, so give credit to your supporters. The #1 reason people leave their jobs is because they feel unappreciated or under-valued. Tell others how much you value their presence in your life. Appreciation goes a long way.
Exposure, exposure, exposure. Stand out. Don’t blend in. Give people a reason to look your way, or they won’t. For example, if you offer a service, speaking is a great way to show people you are qualified to be a professional. Social media is a free way to let others know you’re around. When it comes to networking, meet in person (if possible). Help others to put a face to your name. Be aware of your body language, it communicates more than a phone call or email ever will. The more comfortable you are talking to others about what you do, the better the chances of them hiring you!

I’m not saying take every opportunity to promote yourself like Snoop Dogg does, but take what he does and make it your own. In a world dominated by technology, its those with exceptional interpersonal skills that will rise to the top. The clearer you can communicate in front of others, the better your chances of getting “hired.” Peace.

Can you achieve work-life balance?

Scott Asai4 Comments
Just like a relationship, work-life rarely achieves a 50-50 balance. 
Today’s career is about finding the perfect “fit” that is:
1) an extension of who you are 
2) passion + strengths + experience
Life is a mixture of different categories, but primarily relationships. The challenge is not necessarily balancing the two, but prioritizing. For example, if you are career driven, you might put your social life on hold because you love to achieve. On the other hand, if relationships are what you’re all about, your work may not be as important. There are points where perfect harmony can be attained, but it’s very rare.
The point is: you have to choose which one comes first.
I can’t tell you which one is “better,” but I can share from my own experiences. I value relationships. My wife, family and friends come first. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about my career, because I do, but if I have to choose, it’s my relationships. I have my own business, helping people identify and grow within their careers, but my primary motivation is the flexibility of schedule. Controlling how I spend my time means I can work my schedule around my wife’s. Even the network group I created, Career Synergy, is relationships first, business second. I truly believe that your strongest career asset is your personal network – the people you know.
So can you achieve work-life balance? The short answer is yes. The better question is: What’s more important? It’s said if you want to know your priorities, look at how you spend your time and money. Instead of trying to be a master of juggling, figure out the order of importance.  

So for you, which comes first? Work (career) or Life (relationships)?

When Goals Shouldn’t Be The Goal

Scott Asai2 Comments
Having goals are a good thing. So when are goals not the best thing?
As a coach, I’m focused on helping my clients set and achieve their goals, but part of what I love about coaching is the process. Development takes time and if you rush it, no long-term success can result out of it. 
Several years ago I groomed an intern to be my successor in a position I would be leaving. Over the 13 months we worked together, I took him everywhere I went and had him shadow me with everyone I talked to. In the end, someone else was chosen for the job. Sure, I was disappointed (even a little pissed) yet if the intern process was only about him getting the job, I would have looked at my time spent as a waste. Instead, I look back on the time very favorably because I wouldn’t have done it any other way. We had great conversations, I took interest in him as a person and we got the opportunity to develop a lot of people along the way. If you focus only on the end goal, you miss the beauty of growth.
Goals keep us focused, but you can learn so much through the journey. It will be rocky at times and there will be points when you want to quit, but stick it out. Most of the time what our initial goal is and what actually happens are two completely different outcomes.
Imagine yourself on a road trip. Your goal is the destination, but don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Our learning curve is at its highest during the process. Don’t forget to pause, look around and enjoy the view.

Why Potential is Overrated

Scott Asai2 Comments
Why are we so enamored with potential? It’s exciting to imagine the possibilities, yet rarely does potential live up to our expectations. With great potential usually comes great disappointment. The goal isn’t to depress you, rather ask yourself, “What am I doing to fulfill my potential?”
Talk is cheap. Show me results.
Potential can mean you’re talented in a particular area, but I’ll take the hard worker over the more talented any day. Sports are a great example. The NBA champion wins because of their chemistry and execution, NOT because of their potential. 
Look at the tortoise and the hare. We’re drawn towards the flashy rabbit (potential), but the perseverance and commitment of the turtle (results) wins the race. Potential isn’t a bad thing, but with great potential comes great responsibility (to fulfill it!)
Apply this to your career. Develop your areas of competence. Don’t settle or become complacent. Near the end of 2008, I “rested” because I had a great contract with a good company, then BOOM, the recession hit and I didn’t have a back up plan. That incident is a painful reminder that no matter how great I believe my business can be, I always need to look for ways to grow. The moment I stop working hard is the moment I fall behind. 

Today is the time to start. Don’t wait. How can you develop your potential? Challenge yourself to grow. If you’re not Growing Forward, you’re going backwards. There is no middle ground. Remember that. 

Musical Careers

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What should you be looking for when it comes to finding the right career “fit”? Here are three suggestions for what to look for in a career:

1) Purpose
We all want to be part of a cause greater than ourselves. Identify a company’s mission statement. See if they are actively living it. Commit to an organization that is making a difference in the world.

2) Growth Opportunities
We all want to get better at what we do. Ask your employer what opportunities will there be to advance in the near future? Most people leave their job because they are bored. When it’s not a challenge anymore, it’s time to move on.

3) Autonomy
Look for companies that empower their workers. Autonomy is the freedom to accomplish goals by whatever means (style) is the most efficient for you. Autonomy is rooted in trust.

Does your current job possess these three traits? If not, it won’t be long before you start looking elsewhere!

Ready to find the right career for you?
Partner with Coach Scott to identify your strengths, accomplish goals faster & boost your confidence!
E-mail Scott to start Growing Forward today!

Up In The Air

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In this movie, George Clooney was hired to let people go. During our recession, it makes us ponder: What’s important? What should I expect? Let’s take a look at some lessons we can learn from this picture:

1) What’s in your Backpack? This was an analogy about what we carry with us. Life can be heavy and sometimes we need to discard the “junk.” Figure out what’s important to you, focus on those things, then dump the rest.

2) Make Connections. We live in a technologically connected, socially disconnected world. For example, we rob ourselves of intimacy by texting and talking on our cell phones during conversations with people in front of us! Connections are quality relationships. They take time and involve risk.

3) Overcome Obstacles. This week I’ve talked to many friends and colleagues who are much wiser and more experienced than I am. They all agree the uncertainty of our economy is scary. Most of us need to be focusing on Plan B in order to survive. It’s inevitable that you’re going to deal with obstacles – the question is, “How will you proceed forward?”

Up In The Air is about dealing with uncertainty. We need to unload some baggage, ask for the support of others and face reality. Take some time to prioritize your life and recruit a listening ear to help you cope and move forward.

Need a Professional Accountability Partner? What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!